Colorado offers young hunters shot at big game

Colorado offers young hunters shot at big game

Sept. 25, 2001

BY THE COLORADO DIVISION OF WILDLIFE

DENVER — With more youth licenses available at less cost, Colorado offers young hunters an exceptional opportunity to pursue big game.

"As a result of the steps taken by the State Legislature, The Wildlife Commission and the Division of Wildlife, Colorado is the place for youth hunters to take to the field," said Patt Dorsey, hunter education administrator for the Division of Wildlife. "Up to 15 percent of the limited doe antelope, antlerless deer and antlerless elk licenses have been reserved for youths. The cost of the licenses has been reduced and young hunters who don’t bag an anterless elk have extended-season opportunities."

Each spring, up to 15 percent of the antelope doe, antlerless deer and antlerless elk limited licenses in each game management unit are reserved for youths during the Division of Wildlife’s limited license drawing, according to a measure passed by the Colorado Wildlife Commission. Youths age 12 through 15 can apply for the limited licenses as long as they meet the Division’s hunter-safety requirements. In game management units where less than 15 percent of the limited licenses are awarded to youths, the remaining licenses become available to the public.

The Colorado Legislature reduced the price of deer, elk and antelope licenses for youth hunters when it passed a bill which allows youths to hunt big game with a mentor. According to the bill, resident youth hunters pay only $10 for a big game license and nonresident youths pay $100.

In addition to making youth licenses more affordable and available, a regulation approved by the Colorado Wildlife Commission allows some youths to hunt longer with their unfilled antlerless elk licenses. Specifically, the regulation allows youths who possess an unfilled antlerless elk license to hunt in units that offer late or private-land-only antlerless elk seasons scheduled anytime between Nov. 15 and Jan. 31.

"By allowing youths to hunt in late cow seasons, we’re hoping to increase kids’ chances of being successful and teach them about a hunter’s role in wildlife management while working to reduce elk numbers, which are overpopulated in parts of the state," said Dorsey.

Youths who hunt during the late season with an unfilled antlerless elk license must be accompanied by a mentor, as they must be in all big game seasons. Mentors are required to be 18 years of age or older and must stay within sight and hearing distance of the youth while hunting.

While mentors don’t have to hunt, they do have to meet hunter education requirements for the state. During the late seasons, mentors can only hunt if they have a valid license for the particular season and unit in which the youth is hunting.

The DOW has reserved 10 properties it owns or manages for youth-only hunting. Below is a list and location of each property. Some properties allow mentors to hunt with youths, others don’t. Not all properties offer big game hunting. Contact your local Division of Wildlife office or review the 2001 Colorado Fishing Season and Information and Wildlife Property Directory brochure and the State Trust Lands brochure for specific information about youth-only hunting opportunities on each of these properties.

- Flagler State Wildlife Area, 400 acres, Kit Carson County. Youth/Mentor Hunting ONLY; deer, rabbit, pheasant, waterfowl and dove.

- Lower Roubideau tract of Escalante State Wildlife Area. Youth/Mentor Hunting ONLY; deer, pheasant, rabbit, dove and waterfowl.

- Horsethief Canyon State Wildlife Area, Mesa County. Youth/Mentor Hunting on Saturdays, except opening weekends: waterfowl, dove, deer, rabbit, quail and pheasant.

- Melon Valley State Wildlife Area, 350 acres, (Otero County). Youth/Mentor Hunting ONLY; deer, bobwhite and scaled quail, pheasant, waterfowl and dove.

- Sand Draw State Wildlife Area, 209 acres, Sedgwick County. Youth/Mentor Hunting ONLY; deer, rabbit, pheasant and dove.

- Fly Gulch State Trust Land, 460 acres, Routt County. Youth/Mentor Hunting ONLY: deer, elk and mountain sharp-tailed grouse.

- Atwood State Trust Land, 160 acres, Logan County. Some reservations for Youth/Mentor Hunting ONLY: dove, waterfowl, pheasant, quail, cottontail, turkey and deer. Property open weekends, Wednesdays and legal holidays after Aug. 31. Obtain a permit at the

Brush area office or call (800) 846-WILD.

- Coal Bank Gulch State Trust Land, 879 acres, Routt County. Youth/Mentor Hunting ONLY: deer, elk and grouse.

- Oxbow State Trust Land, 640 acres, Moffat County. Youth/Mentor Hunting as posted. Contact the Craig area office for information at (970) 824-3046.

- White Horse State Wildlife Area, 640 acres, Adams County. Youth/Mentor Hunting ONLY; geese. Hunters must attend orientation session on the property.