GRAND JUNCTION, Colo., – The Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission approved big game hunting license numbers on Thursday for the upcoming fall hunting seasons. Agency staff utilized herd population estimates to recommend reductions in license numbers for mule deer, elk and pronghorn while recommending increases in licenses to manage growing populations of moose and black bears. According to a 2008 study, big game hunting in Colorado provides more than $430 million per year in economic impact to the state and supports 4,660 jobs in the state.

Colorado is a national leader in big-game hunting opportunity. This year, Colorado will issue more than 240,000 limited licenses for the state’s ‘big three’ species – elk, deer and pronghorn. Wildlife managers and biologists around the state recommended the issuance of 139,461 limited elk licenses, 79,800 limited deer licenses and 23,862 pronghorn licenses for the 2012 fall seasons.

Statewide, mule deer licenses declined 5.8 percent from 2011.

“Mule deer populations are being intensively monitored and we’ve seen some declines, especially in the western part of the state,” explained Andy Holland, Statewide Big Game Manager. “Between severe winters, increased development, habitat decline, and migration corridor fragmentation, most western states are seeing declines in mule deer populations. We adjusted license numbers accordingly.”

In addition to issuing nearly 140,000 limited elk licenses, Colorado plans to issue an unlimited number of over-the-counter bull elk licenses in the archery, 2nd rifle and 3rd rifle seasons. The number of unlimited licenses available makes Colorado the top destination in the U.S. for elk hunting opportunity. The 2.2 percent decline in the number of limited elk tags offered this year is mostly related to elk populations reaching management objectives after several years of intentional efforts by Colorado Parks and Wildlife to reduce elk damage on private lands. Despite the elk license number reduction, Colorado remains the destination state for elk hunters, offering more elk licenses by far than any other state.

Black bear hunting license numbers will be increased in the state after biologists determined that the statewide population is larger than previously believed. New estimates show that approximately 16,000 to 18,000 black bears live in the state.

“The emergence and increased affordability of things like DNA, tooth cementum analysis and GPS tracking collars have given us new tools to know that Colorado’s current black bear population is robust and larger than previously believed,” said Jerry Apker, Carnivore Biologist for Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Apker further explained to the Commission that the agency’s black bear knowledge exceeds some other species because every hunter-harvested bear in Colorado is required to be checked by Parks and Wildlife personnel and significant historical harvest information about black bears is maintained by the agency. The historical harvest information coupled with new technology led to the increased population estimate and the increased number of hunting licenses approved for this coming fall.

In other business, the Parks and Wildlife Commission voted to deny a petition that would have allowed rock climbing on property at the Rifle Falls Fish Hatchery. Commissioners based the decision on concerns about an active golden eagle nest in the immediate area and concerns regarding diversion of wildlife funds, safety issues, parking problems and potential damage to sensitive hatchery and water equipment in the area. The Rifle Falls Fish Hatchery was built in 1955 and was the largest trout hatchery in the world at that time. The hatchery raised about 3.7 million fish last year and is responsible for about 40 percent of the catchable trout in the state hatchery system.

Commissioners also approved regulations to grant military veterans and active duty members of the military free entrance to all state parks on Veteran’s Day each Nov. 11. The Commission ruling makes permanent the previous tradition of the former Parks Board passing a “free day” for veterans and active duty service members each year.

“Colorado Parks and Wildlife is honored to be able to support our service members with this action,” said Ken Brink, Assistant Director for Parks and Outdoor Recreation.

The Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission is a 14-member board, appointed by the governor, which sets regulations and policies for Colorado’s state parks wildlife programs. The Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission meets monthly and travels to communities around the state to facilitate public participation in its processes. For the remainder of 2012, the commission will travel to Craig, Sterling, Gunnison, Glenwood Springs, Durango, Yuma and Colorado Springs.

For more news about Division of Wildlife go to: http://wildlife.state.co.us/NewsMedia/PressReleases

For more information about Division of Wildlife go to: http://wildlife.state.co.us.

Contact:
Randy Hampton (720) 398-7912

LAKE GEORGE, Colo. – Eleven Mile State Park’s programs for adults, families and youngsters continue through the spring and summer with hikes, nature programs and other fun activities to connect kids and adults with nature and the outdoors. All programs are free, but all vehicles entering the park must have a daily pass, $7, or an annual pass, $70. For additional information, please call (719) 748-3863.

May 25 through May 28
Please join Eleven Mile State Park for this week’s free, fun programs. All children must be accompanied by an adult. The amphitheater is sunny, so bring water and a hat to morning and afternoon programs. The program may be canceled if there is lightning or rain.

Friday, May 25

Crawfishin’ Expedition – North Shore Amphitheater – 7:30 p.m.
Join park naturalist, Beth Dodd, for this crawfishin’ expedition to hunt the wily crawdads of Eleven Mile Reservoir. Please bring a container to put your catch into if you want to keep it. Poles and bait will be provided, as well as a few tasty crawdad recipes!

Saturday, May 26

Family Fun Hike – Children’s Program – Coyote Ridge Trailhead – 10 a.m.
Everyone is invited to join park naturalist, Beth Dodd, for a ramble through the woods and a few of her favorite outdoor activities. Please make sure you have water and appropriate footwear.

Fashion-A-Fish – Junior Ranger Program – North Shore Amphitheater – 2 p.m.
Create your own fish! Join park naturalist, Beth Dodd to explore the ways that fish survive in their watery world, and join in an art project to create a fish from your imagination.

Fly Fishing the Dream Stream – North Shore Amphitheater – 7:30 p.m.
Join Brad Tomlinson, a fishing guide and owner of The Peak Fly Shop, as he discusses a few of his favorite fly fishing techniques for landing the big ones along the South Platte River. Brad will also demonstrate proper fly-casting techniques and have a display of some of his favorite flies.

Sunday, May 27

Bird Watching for Beginners – Children’s Program – North Shore Amphitheater – 10 a.m.
What’s that up in the sky? Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it really is a bird. Learn the basics of bird watching, like how to use binoculars and bird books, in this look at Eleven Mile’s feathered friends with naturalist Beth Dodd.

Colorado’s Birds of Prey – North Shore Amphitheater — 2 a.m.
Discover the amazing adaptations that allow Colorado’s eagles, hawks and owls to be successful as airborne hunters in this program with park naturalist, Beth Dodd.

Intro to Fly Fishing – North Shore Amphitheater – 7:30 p.m.
Join local fishing guide and entomologist, Robert Younghanz, for an interesting look at the aquatic bugs that the fish are eating in Eleven Mile and Spinney Reservoirs. This will include a very basic explanation on fly patterns, what works and why and a number of samples available for review.

Monday, May 28

Junior Ranger Awards Ceremony – Eleven Mile State Park Amphitheater – 10 a.m.

Hey Kids! Get a Junior Ranger Activity Book from the park naturalist or at the park office. Finish it by Monday morning and bring it to the Junior Ranger Awards Ceremony to get fabulous prizes! You’ll earn a Junior Ranger badge and more. Not quite finished or leaving before Monday? The park naturalist can help.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife was created by the merger of Colorado State Parks and the Colorado Division of Wildlife, two nationally recognized leaders in conservation, outdoor recreation and wildlife management. Colorado Parks and Wildlife manages 42 state parks, all of Colorado’s wildlife, more than 300 state wildlife areas and a host of recreational programs. To learn more about Colorado’s state parks, please see: http://parks.state.co.us. To learn more about Colorado’s wildlife programs, please see: http://wildlife.state.co.us

Contact:
Mark Young, (719) 748-3863, eleven.mile.park@state.co.us>eleven.mile.park@state.co.us
Deb Frazier, (303) 866-3203, ext. 4342, deb.frazier@state.co.us

LITTLETON, Colo. – Salute summer on a sunrise hike with naturalists at Roxborough State Park on May 26 and June 23 at 5:30 a.m. Majestic red rock formations and wildlife will provide a perfect backdrop for an inspiring and peaceful morning outdoors.

A light continental breakfast will be served at the Roxborough Visitor Center following the hike. A check for $7.50, payable to “Friends of Roxborough,” will confirm each reservation. Please mail your non-refundable check to: Roxborough State Park, 4751 E. Roxborough Dr., Roxborough, CO 80125.

Hikes will take place, rain or shine.

The Friends of Roxborough is a nonprofit, 501(c) 3, and operates by the generous time of volunteers. The mission of the Friends group is to support nature education at the park.

Two projects that are currently in the forefront are the Barbara Fritts Scholarship Fund, which reimburse qualifying schools transportation costs for kids to come to the park for educational nature experiences, and an archaeology display that will tell the story of the native peoples who visited the Roxborough area and left behind artifacts for us to discover. If you would like to support the Friends effort please visit http://parks.state.co.us/Parks/Roxborough/Friends or call (303) 973-3959 for additional information.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife was created by the merger of Colorado State Parks and the Colorado Division of Wildlife, two nationally recognized leaders in conservation, outdoor recreation and wildlife management. Colorado Parks and Wildlife manages 42 state parks, all of Colorado’s wildlife, more than 300 state wildlife areas and a host of recreational programs. To learn more about Colorado’s state parks, please see: http://parks.state.co.us. To learn more about Colorado’s wildlife programs, please see: http://wildlife.state.co.us

Contact:
Angel Tobin, (303) 973-3959, angel.tobin@state.co.us
Deb Frazier, (303) 866-3203 ext. 4342, deb.frazier@state.co.us

COLUMBUS, Georgia — Realtree camo custom laminate gives your countertops, bar fronts, gun cabinets, wainscoting, man caves and store fixtures that cool, outdoorsy feel that lets others know they’re in the home or business of a hunter. Realtree Wilsonart Custom Laminate designs by Fabricators Supply are produced using Wilsonart’s custom digital process that has been utilized over the years for logos and custom-designed graphics. and can be used in any application calling for standard laminate. The graphic design becomes an integral component of the finished custom laminate and has the stain- and scratch-resistance of high-pressure laminate. This custom laminate comes available in Realtree AP ™, Realtree APG ™, Realtree MAX-4 ®, Advantage ® Timber™, HD and Realtree MAX-1®. Custom laminate will soon be available in Realtree AP ™ Snow. Sheet sizes: 36″ x 8′, 10′, 12′, 48″ x 8′, 10′, 12′.

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