Because extensive public comments were received at the April 26 POSAC meeting, public testimony will not be accepted at the May 25 meeting. Written comments should be submitted on the Rabbit Mountain Elk & Vegetation Management Plan web page by May 25 at 3 p.m.
Staff has revised the plan to include updated text and several appendices with more information as requested at the April 26 POSAC meeting. Some of the changes in the plan include:
A broader explanation of fertility control (page 11), with FAQs and reference material (Appendix A, page 19) A proposal to use hazing in conjunction with hunting and after the hunting season (page 14) Modification of hunting period, beginning after Labor Day, with locations to include Indian Mountain and Cushman open space throughout the week (page 16) Summary of initial public input and opinion (page 17) A review of culling verses hunting, including why Rocky Mountain National Park used it, costs, and differences between culling and hunting (Appendix B, page 22) Fencing alternatives and costs both on Rabbit Mountain for vegetation protection and on adjacent properties for crop and property damage (Appendix C, page 24)
To review the revised draft plan and submit public comment, please go to www.BoulderCountyOpenSpace.org/elkmanagement. For more information, contact Therese Glowacki, Resource Management Division Manager, at [email protected], or (303) 678-6206.
Glunt@work's Link
Lots of people at the meeting were pushing culling. One guy shooting one elk is way different than one guy shooting 25. Demoralizing slaughter. Be sure to oppose it.
I agree with the staff's assessment that "the most appropriate method to achieve this goal is by allowing limited hunting on county-owned Rabbit Mountain Open Space as part of the state’s existing sub unit surrounding the open space property during the state’s regulated hunting season". As a long time Colorado bowhunter, I can say that there are many experienced and capable bowhunters willing to work with the appropriate personnel to reduce herd numbers in an safe and ethical way.