IMPROVED DUCK POPULATIONS, HUNTING ACCESS AWAIT COLORADO WATERFOWL HUNTERS
IMPROVED DUCK POPULATIONS, HUNTING ACCESS AWAIT COLORADO WATERFOWL HUNTERS
DENVER, Colo.–Waterfowl hunters have plenty to be excited about this year as abundant duck populations, liberal bag limits, diverse season structures and increased land access have set the stage for what could be an excellent year for Colorado hunters.
"We are anticipating good things this year," said Jim Gammonley, DOW waterfowl biologist. "We had an unusually wet spring which created good breeding and nesting habitat for ducks in Colorado breeding areas. Locally produced ducks should provide good opportunities for early season hunters."
Population surveys in North Park and the San Luis Valley–Colorado’s primary breeding areas for native waterfowl–indicate duck production was good although somewhat delayed this year due to unusually cool spring weather. Resident Canada goose populations remain healthy; however, spring production may have been negatively impacted by cool weather resulting in a poor-to-average year for gosling production in some areas.
Across the Continental U.S and Canada, ducks fared well in 2009 and populations soared to the highest numbers in a decade. Heavy runoff and frequent spring precipitation in the Great Plains states and portions of central Canada improved wetland habitat and bolstered waterfowl populations.
According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the total breeding duck population estimate in traditional survey areas was 42 million birds–up 13 percent over last year and the fifth-largest total since surveys began in 1955. Mallards, the most popular duck among Colorado waterfowl hunters, showed a 10-percent increase and a breeding population of 8.5 million birds–the largest estimate since 2000. Canvasbacks, gadwalls, and pintails also posted significant improvements over last year’s numbers.
Because the vast majority of ducks that winter in Colorado are migrant birds from the north-central U.S. and southern Canada, improved duck populations in these key areas should translate into excellent late-season opportunities for Colorado hunters.
"We could see a good number of migratory ducks in Colorado this winter but, as always, the key variable is weather," said Gammonley. "Hunters need to be watching for cold-weather systems to push birds south from southern Canada, Dakotas, Montana and Wyoming, and plan their hunting trips accordingly. The good news is that when migrating ducks and geese arrive, water is plentiful in most areas which will help to keep birds here."
In contrast, Canada geese in the western Arctic had a poor production year and hunters may see fewer of these migrants this season. Snow geese remain far above population objectives, and liberal bag limits and extended seasons apply.
The DOW encourages hunters to have a safe and successful waterfowl season and reminds hunters of the following regulations and changes for the 2009-2010 seasons:
Licenses, Stamps and Other Requirements
All waterfowl hunters must purchase and have in their possession a small game license, youth small game or combination fishing/hunting license.
Hunters 16 or older need a Federal Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp (duck stamp) and a Colorado Waterfowl Stamp to hunt waterfowl. Federal and state duck stamps are available at most post offices, DOW offices, license agents and online at: http://wildlife.state.co.us/ShopDOW/AppsAndLicenses/
In addition, Colorado waterfowl collector’s stamps and art prints are now available. This year’s stamp features the brilliant artwork of award-winning wildlife artist Craig Fairbert. Prints and stamps make great holiday gifts and can be purchased from the Colorado Wildlife Heritage Foundation online (www.cwhf.info/shopOnline/index.asp), or by contacting Terrie DeLoria at: (terrie.Deloria@cwhf.info).
All waterfowl and small game hunters must register with Colorado’s Harvest Information Program (HIP). The HIP is a joint effort between the USFWS and the DOW, designed to improve small game and waterfowl harvest estimates. HIP numbers are available by calling 1-866-COLOHIP (265-6447) or by going to the Colorado HIP Web site: www.colohip.com . HIP numbers must be written in the space provided on small game licenses.
A Colorado Wildlife Habitat Stamp is required of people ages 19-64 who buy hunting or fishing licenses. With a license purchase, the stamp is $5 and required on each of the first 2 licenses purchased annually ($10 total). Habitat Stamps are available at any DOW office, license agent or online on the Division’s Web site.
Andrick Ponds State Wildlife Area Now Open to Waterfowl Hunters
Colorado sportsmen have a new 710-acre state wildlife area just southwest of Jackson Lake in Morgan County. The purchase of Andrick Ponds, the former Centennial Hunt Club, was finalized on Aug. 28. A portion of the property will be open for limited waterfowl hunting between Oct. 3 and Nov. 30th, on Saturdays, Sundays, Wednesdays, and holidays. Four areas will be open beginning Oct. 3, with several more opening Nov. 7th.
Hunters wishing to make reservations for waterfowl hunting can call the Division’s hunting reservation system at 1-800-846-9453 beginning Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2009. Additional information on the reservation system can be found at: http://wildlife.state.co.us/Hunting/SmallGame/Reservations/
DOW Walk-in Access Program
Over 168,000 acres are now available in the DOW Walk-In Access Program (WIA). Some of these properties offer waterfowl hunting opportunities. A WIA permit is required to hunt in these areas and may be purchased at any DOW office, license agent or online on the Division’s Web site. The 2009 Walk-In Access Program Brochure/Atlas is available at any authorized license agent or DOW office. An electronic version is also available on the DOW Web site at: http://wildlife.state.co.us/NR/rdonlyres/4A3346A7-0C2A-41E2-8442-F3E146F9CEF1/0/Atlas2008.pdf
2009 Colorado Waterfowl Regulations Brochure
For a complete listing of waterfowl season dates and regulations, the 2009 Colorado Waterfowl Regulations Brochure is available at any DOW office, statewide license agents or on the DOW Web site at: http://wildlife.state.co.us/Hunting/Waterfowl/
South Platte River Hunting Regulations
In an effort to improve the quality of waterfowl hunting along the South Platte River corridor, modified hunting regulations are now in effect at the Atwood, Bravo, Brush, Jackson Lake, Jean K. Tool, Jumbo Reservoir, Overland Trail and Red Lion State Wildlife Areas (SWAs). The DOW is now operating mandatory check stations at all of these areas. Over the next several years, The DOW will be evaluating the impact of hunting restrictions on local duck numbers, gathering harvest data and surveying hunter satisfaction at these locations.
Waterfowl and small game hunting at Bravo, Jackson Lake and Overland Trail SWAs will be permitted only on Wednesdays, Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays, and reservations are required. Hunters are required to check out by 2 p.m. to allow waterfowl use of these areas in late afternoon. In addition, waterfowl hunting from floating devices will be allowed with a reservation at Jumbo Reservoir and at Jackson Lake SWAs. Reservations may be made by calling 1-800-846-9453.
A special brochure, "South Platte Waterfowl and Small Game Research SWAs" is now available and provides detailed hunting information for these areas. Hardcopies are available at DOW offices, and an electronic version may be downloaded at: http://wildlife.state.co.us/Hunting/Waterfowl/
New for 2009
Central Flyway: Hunters can now take pintails and canvasback during the entire open season in the Central Flyway. The bag limit for wood ducks has also increased. See 2009 Colorado Waterfowl Brochure for details.
Pacific Flyway: The season on canvasbacks is now open in the Pacific Flyway. Bag limits for pintails and scaup also have increased. See 2009 Colorado Waterfowl Brochure for details.
Season-Year License Change Reminder
All small game licenses, combination fishing and small game licenses, Colorado waterfowl stamps, habitat stamps and Walk-In Access permits are now valid from April 1 through March 31 of the following year. Therefore, all 2009 annual licenses, habitat stamps and state waterfowl stamps will expire on April 1, 2010.
For more information about Division of Wildlife go to: http://wildlife.state.co.us.
