Colorado Wildlife Comission Approves Big Game Seasons for 2009-2010
January 15, 3:02 PM
by Drew Schlussel, Denver Hunting and Fishing Examiner

The Colorado Wildlife Commission approved big game season regulations for the 2009 seasons Monday, during its regular January meeting. These regulations include annual big game hunting season dates, the application and drawing process, Game Management Unit boundaries, manner of take provisions and other management policies for deer, elk, pronghorn, bighorn sheep, moose and bear. In addition, limited license numbers were finalized for bighorn sheep and mountain goat.

Several of the changes made for the 2009 big game seasons will provide additional opportunity for hunters. Moose hunting will take place on the Grand Mesa for the first time during the upcoming season. This opportunity was made possible by a moose transplant operation that began in 2005. Using sportsmens' dollars and with support from Safari Club International, moose from Utah were transplanted to the Grand Mesa. The current moose population on the Grand Mesa is estimated to be between 120-150 animals. In addition, all successful moose hunters in all moose units in the state are now required to complete a mandatory check of their harvested moose at a Division office."

A call to the Division of Wildlife office in Denver confirmed the approval and verified that the 2009 big game brochures will be available in late February. If you're like me and you can't wait until then, the season dates and rules changes, as they were approved on Monday, can be downloaded from the Colorado Division of Wildlife's website.

The Colorado Division of Wildlife will be on hand at the upcoming International Sportsmen's Expo (January 22-25 at the Colorado Convention Center) to answer any questions you may have about hunting, fishing and wildlife in Colorado.

For more info:
Colorado Division of Wildlife
International Sportsmen's Exposition in Denver