Colorado's 350 State Wildlife Areas

[Tom Wilberding]

Hello birders,

Regarding the new license requirement at SWAs, Barb and I recently bought fishing licenses online. We keep them in the glove box of my car, so that when we bird at any Colorado SWA we can grab them and carry them, to avoid the eventual $139.50 fine. A "Resident Senior Fishing Annual License" cost us $9.85 each, so $19.70 for two. We’re happy to contribute this amount to the state to maintain Colorado’s beautiful SWAs.
 

The state says that the reason for this new license policy, effective today, is to reduce the number of visitors to Colorado SWAs. Too many people cause the wildlife to flee. The state says it wants to “protect and conserve” wildlife at these spots. (ready for harvest?) 😊
 

So far the state does not say that you have to only hunt or fish when visiting an SWA, just carry the annual license. I hope that does not change, which would ban birders from SWAs. Hmm. In that case, carry a collapsible fishing rod? Here is a map of Colorado’s 350 SWAs: https://cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/parks/Pages/WildlifeAreaMap.aspx

 

BTW, on this map under the "Recreation" tab I checked "Bird watching" and the filtered map show only two SWAs. I assume that is an map error.

Here is more info: https://theknow.denverpost.com/2020/07/01/colorado-state-wildlife-areas-hunting-fishing-license/241323/

 

Good birding,
Tom Wilberding

Littleton, CO

[The "Nunn Guy"]

Hi Tom

"Maybe it's not a map error" ;-)

Thanks Gary Lefko, Nunn

http://www.friendsofthepawneegrassland.org

[Charles Hundertmark]

Using the same filter for that Tom used for recreation, if you pick the “Limited Camping” option, Tamarack Ranch SWA shows up. If you go to the map/brochure for Tamarack, however, “hiking, Wildlife Viewing, and Limited Camping” show ups as uses. I take “Bird Watching” to be a subset of “Wildlife Viewing.” I have birded a number of SWAs over the years visiting some of them many times. I have yet to be challenged by a CPW official, though I know that there have been issues for some birders at the northeastern SWAs where a special permit was formerly required. 

For SWAs where hunting is the primary purpose at the area, it is probably more important to be aware of hunting seasons that to worry about fines, assuming you purchased a fishing or hunting license. It’s an interesting experience to wake up at Prewitt or Tamarack on the first morning of dove season. 

When questions about policy or intent of the agency arise, the best approach is probably talking to the agency. 

Chuck Hundertmark

Lafayette, CO

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[kevyg...@aol.com]

As I read the guidance CPW has put out on use of SWA's, I wonder if the idea of simply buying a fishing license to gain access to all the SWA's really works.  In their FAQs on this subject there is an entry that reads:

"Question:   If I have a hunting license does it allow me to engage in any activity I wish on a SWA?

  Answer:   No. All other regulations still apply. It allows you to engage in the outdoor activities authorized for that specific property." (emphasis mine).  Many SWA's do not list fishing as an activity authorized on the property.

Chuck Hundertmark, in an earlier post in this thread, suggested: "When questions about policy or intent of the agency arise, the best approach is probably talking to the agency."  I think that is an excellent idea, and I'd like to suggest that one or more of our birding organizations (DFO, CFO, Audubon Rockies...) contact CPW to get clarification that they can then disseminate to the birding community.

Keep Smilin',

Kevin Corwin, west Centennial, Arapahoe County

Sent from my Remington Rand Typewriter via my Rotary Dial Wall Phone.

[Diana Beatty]

I had a conversation online with a man known as "Hiking Bob" who writes for the Colorado Springs Independent and has interviewed CPW staff multiple times about this situation.  He told me that he is being told by the staff that if one has either a hunting or fishing license, that that is sufficient for hiking/birding on any of the SWAs even if hiking/birding is not a specifically listed 'intended' activity of the specific property, unless it is specifically listed as a prohibited activity for that particular property.

Diana Beatty

CFO Board

El Paso County

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All that is gold does not glitter, not all those who wander are lost; the old that is strong does not wither, deep roots are not reached by the frost.

[Charles Hundertmark]

Great information, Diana. Thank you.

Chuck

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/CAM-_j9ux_kinL58iDP6BXW%3DcL8%3D_31DeCKKLk-f8uEwmUaN-Ww%40mail.gmail.com.