Extracted from the Gazette 3/23/04
Wyoming elk deaths linked to lichen acid
Denver_ The lichen did it. Wildlife officials said Monday an acid in lichen led to the mysterious deaths of more than 300 elk in southern Wymoning since early February. They said they were not sure why.
A hunter found two elk partly paralyzed Feb. 8 near Rawlins, about 150 miles west of Cheyenne. during the following weeks hundreds more were found in an area of about 50 square miles. Most were euthanized; others died of starvatiion or dehydration.
Experts initially speculated a toxic plant -- or one made toxic by drought --could be the fault.
Atutopsies of the effected elk found a lichen called permelia in digestive systems. Biologists gathered lichen last week from the area where the elk were found and fed it to captive elk at a research center. Cook said after a week one of them came down with the syptoms "identical to the ones we saw in the field." the wildlife experts said usinc acid in plants appeared to have broken down the animals' muscle tissue.
___________________
See original story posted on this Blog March 7th, 2004
3/23/04
3/14/04
Received a call from Clem from Louisiana today. He said he was doing good considering everything. I had sent him a couple of hunting pictures and he said it brought back some great memories of his hunting trip to Colorado. He also said to tell Cole, Kurt, Henry, Grant and the rest of the gang Hi. He would like to make another trip to Colorado to hunt but didn't think the infirmities of age was going to allow him to do that.
3/12/04
Extracted from the DOW Insider 03/12/04
Poor hunting conditions brought on by warm, dry weather during Colorado’s 2003 big game seasons were offset by near-record elk license sales and good late-season success, resulting in the third largest elk harvest in state history.
Hunters killed 57,300 elk during the 2003 season compared to 61,200 in 2002. The dip was most notable during the four regular rifle seasons, with the regular-season harvest declining 15 percent, down from 42,200 in 2002 to 36,100 in 2003. For their part, archery hunters killed 4,700 elk in 2003, a 22 percent increase over the previous year. Hunters with late-season licenses or licenses for special hunts—such as the Ranching for Wildlife program—harvested 13,800 elk, or 12 percent more in 2003 than in 2002.
The Colorado Division of Wildlife (DOW) issued nearly 247,000 elk licenses last year, an increase of 17,000 from the previous year. The 2003 total was the most since the record year of 1998, when hunters purchased 254,000 elk licenses. The success ratio dipped from 27 percent in 2002 to a still-respectable 23 percent in 2003.
Meanwhile, the deer harvest increased slightly from 36,100 in 2002 to 37,600 in 2003. The success ratio for deer hunters fell slightly from 45 percent in 2002 to 43 percent last year. The agency sold more than 88,000 deer licenses, the most in five years.
“While we didn’t reach our harvest objective of 65,000 elk, hunters harvested more than we anticipated last fall when the hunting conditions appeared to be so unfavorable,” said John Ellenberger, the DOW’s big game manager.
“And the success for late-season hunts is important because those hunts are designed to reduce elk numbers or change elk distribution in problem areas,” Ellenberger explained.
Colorado has more than 270,000 elk based on the DOW’s post-hunt estimates, the most of any state in the United States or province in Canada.
The recovery of Colorado’s elk herd is one of the 20th century’s outstanding conservation success stories. Wildlife officials estimate there were fewer than 2,000 elk left in Colorado a century ago, the result of market hunting and habitat loss that occurred during the settlement of the West.
In areas where the elk population is above the long-term objective, the DOW issued additional antlerless licenses to help reduce the size of the herds.
“Having a large elk harvest for the third time in the last four years validates the Division’s efforts to reduce the elk population, particularly in those areas where our long-term objectives have not been met,” said Ron Velarde, the DOW’s northwest regional manager. “We recognize the concerns that ranchers and farmers have expressed about the size of the elk herds in some areas and these harvest numbers demonstrate that we are aggressively working to meet our herd objectives.”
Hunters killed more than 5,300 pronghorn antelope, a reduction of nearly 700 from the 2002 total of 6,000. The annual pronghorn harvest has fallen steadily for the past seven years, largely due the persistent drought that has gripped Colorado and much of the U.S. West.
Poor hunting conditions brought on by warm, dry weather during Colorado’s 2003 big game seasons were offset by near-record elk license sales and good late-season success, resulting in the third largest elk harvest in state history.
Hunters killed 57,300 elk during the 2003 season compared to 61,200 in 2002. The dip was most notable during the four regular rifle seasons, with the regular-season harvest declining 15 percent, down from 42,200 in 2002 to 36,100 in 2003. For their part, archery hunters killed 4,700 elk in 2003, a 22 percent increase over the previous year. Hunters with late-season licenses or licenses for special hunts—such as the Ranching for Wildlife program—harvested 13,800 elk, or 12 percent more in 2003 than in 2002.
The Colorado Division of Wildlife (DOW) issued nearly 247,000 elk licenses last year, an increase of 17,000 from the previous year. The 2003 total was the most since the record year of 1998, when hunters purchased 254,000 elk licenses. The success ratio dipped from 27 percent in 2002 to a still-respectable 23 percent in 2003.
Meanwhile, the deer harvest increased slightly from 36,100 in 2002 to 37,600 in 2003. The success ratio for deer hunters fell slightly from 45 percent in 2002 to 43 percent last year. The agency sold more than 88,000 deer licenses, the most in five years.
“While we didn’t reach our harvest objective of 65,000 elk, hunters harvested more than we anticipated last fall when the hunting conditions appeared to be so unfavorable,” said John Ellenberger, the DOW’s big game manager.
“And the success for late-season hunts is important because those hunts are designed to reduce elk numbers or change elk distribution in problem areas,” Ellenberger explained.
Colorado has more than 270,000 elk based on the DOW’s post-hunt estimates, the most of any state in the United States or province in Canada.
The recovery of Colorado’s elk herd is one of the 20th century’s outstanding conservation success stories. Wildlife officials estimate there were fewer than 2,000 elk left in Colorado a century ago, the result of market hunting and habitat loss that occurred during the settlement of the West.
In areas where the elk population is above the long-term objective, the DOW issued additional antlerless licenses to help reduce the size of the herds.
“Having a large elk harvest for the third time in the last four years validates the Division’s efforts to reduce the elk population, particularly in those areas where our long-term objectives have not been met,” said Ron Velarde, the DOW’s northwest regional manager. “We recognize the concerns that ranchers and farmers have expressed about the size of the elk herds in some areas and these harvest numbers demonstrate that we are aggressively working to meet our herd objectives.”
Hunters killed more than 5,300 pronghorn antelope, a reduction of nearly 700 from the 2002 total of 6,000. The annual pronghorn harvest has fallen steadily for the past seven years, largely due the persistent drought that has gripped Colorado and much of the U.S. West.
3/8/04
3/7/04
Several have asked about Henry since he didn't make it up hunting last fall, he seems to be doing OK, seeing the Dr's about a vision problem. He's really looking forward to visit Washington D.C. with Dee for the World War II Memorial dedication in May/June.
Talked to Ken and Donnie S, Donnie is still down at Big Water near Lake Powell and is full of fishing stories. Kenneth is looking forward to hunting again in Colorado this fall. He was telling me about the 300 or more elk that mysteriously died south of Rock Springs and Rawlins. The Fish and Game hasn't as yet come up with any reason for their sudden death. It seems to be localized in one herd and one area, they claim it's not due to wasting disease.
Colorado L2 Season:
All the guys I've talked to are putting in for the L2 Season, it might take a point to make the draw. I'm not sure which one I'm going to put in for, I do like that cold weather, we rarely get much snow even during the December and January seasons. It's going to be interesting to see what the bull population is going to be this year, to bad you can't take a bull during the late seasons, missed a good chance last year, seen more bulls last year than I've ever seen in that area.
3/4/04
3/2/04
Extracted from the Colorado DOW "Insider"
A group of skiers at a southwestern Colorado ski resort learned a hard lesson a few years ago when a coyote they had been feeding out of kindness bit a woman before it had to be put down to ensure the safety of others. In another case, a coyote bit a 5-year-old boy at a Colorado Springs park last fall after the child approached the animal thinking it was a dog. Wildlife officials said people had been feeding that coyote as well.
Colorado Division of Wildlife (DOW) officers who helped investigate these cases are tapping into such anecdotal evidence as a public-service reminder that feeding coyotes and foxes is not only an act of misguided kindness, it is now illegal in Colorado. Under a regulation that went into effect on March 1, municipal, county and state law-enforcement officers can fine violators up to $68 for feeding coyotes or foxes.
“We view this as primarily a human safety issue,” said Denver Area Wildlife Manager Liza Moore. “We reviewed research and additional information from other states, and it clearly showed that most of the incidents where fox and coyotes injured people occurred after the animals had been regularly fed by people.
“We understand that people often feed wildlife because they think they’re helping the animals,” Moore said. “But the results are often bad for both humans and the animals that have been fed.”
Colorado has had laws prohibiting the feeding of big game wildlife for years. Wildlife officers can ticket people for inadvertently feeding wildlife by leaving out garbage, pet food and other food sources known to attract bears and other animals. Even bird food can attract larger wildlife to urban and suburban backyards, said western Colorado Springs District Wildlife Manager Trina Lynch.
“It can lead to attracting predators near your home,” Lynch said. “I have had that occur on more than one circumstance.”
Littleton District Wildlife Manager Suzanne Tracey suggested the regulation to prohibit feeding coyotes and foxes after she dealt with several incidents in which animals that had been regularly fed lost their normal wariness of people. Moore carried Tracey’s recommendation up the chain of command and the Colorado Wildlife Commission adopted the regulation in January.
Coyotes and foxes can turn up in just about any Colorado setting, from urban parks and suburban neighborhoods to mountain hamlets and ski resorts. Reports of coyotes and foxes appearing in and around suburban neighborhoods along the Front Range have surfaced for years. Citizens living in developments on the outer edges of the Denver metropolitan area have reported hearing packs of howling coyotes at night and seeing solitary coyotes or foxes wandering down residential streets. Foxes and coyotes have shown up in Washington Park, Sloan’s Lake and other Denver parks.
In the ski resort case, visitors apparently had been feeding human food to the coyote before the biting incident. Emboldened by previous encounters with people, the coyote approached the young female skier after she fell during a morning ski run with a friend. The victim rolled into a ball on the slope and the coyote bit her on the backside, said Melody Miller, a Durango-based district wildlife manager.
“It’s important for us as residents of Colorado to learn to coexist with wildlife, and that would entail not feeding wildlife and modifying our habits to reduce possible conflicts. It’s easier for us to learn to modify our lifestyles than to expect wildlife to do so. They are only doing what comes natural to them and don’t know any different,” Miller said. “We’ve got to keep the ‘wild’ in wildlife.”
In the Colorado Springs case, the coyote had been hanging around the Monument Valley Park ice rink when it bit the boy on the side of his abdomen. The child was treated for rabies as a precaution, though the coyote tested negative for the disease after it was put down, said Teller County District Wildlife Manager Tonya Sharp.
“The coyote was believed to have been fed by people and was regularly seen in the park,” Sharp said.
In Leadville, red foxes are causing problems for wildlife officials and citizens. District Wildlife Manager Tom Martin said the Leadville region has a large population of red foxes, and some animals survive on garbage and the kindness of local residents.
“Litters have been produced and raised in ‘dens’ under trailer homes. People seem to feel that the foxes are no threat, so they feed and almost tame some foxes. Although not confirmed, one guy would open his door at certain times of the day so that the fox could come into his house and be fed,” Martin said. “Almost always, the call to me comes from a neighbor of those doing the feeding. They are concerned with possible predation on cat and dog pets and the possibility of children being bitten.”
In the past, he said citizens were amazed to learn that feeding foxes was not illegal.
“I am pleased I can now tell them otherwise,” Martin said.
For more information about coyotes and foxes, please visit:
http://wildlife.state.co.us/education/livingwithwildlife/coyotecountry.asp and http://wildlife.state.co.us/education/mammalsguide/foxes.asp
A group of skiers at a southwestern Colorado ski resort learned a hard lesson a few years ago when a coyote they had been feeding out of kindness bit a woman before it had to be put down to ensure the safety of others. In another case, a coyote bit a 5-year-old boy at a Colorado Springs park last fall after the child approached the animal thinking it was a dog. Wildlife officials said people had been feeding that coyote as well.
Colorado Division of Wildlife (DOW) officers who helped investigate these cases are tapping into such anecdotal evidence as a public-service reminder that feeding coyotes and foxes is not only an act of misguided kindness, it is now illegal in Colorado. Under a regulation that went into effect on March 1, municipal, county and state law-enforcement officers can fine violators up to $68 for feeding coyotes or foxes.
“We view this as primarily a human safety issue,” said Denver Area Wildlife Manager Liza Moore. “We reviewed research and additional information from other states, and it clearly showed that most of the incidents where fox and coyotes injured people occurred after the animals had been regularly fed by people.
“We understand that people often feed wildlife because they think they’re helping the animals,” Moore said. “But the results are often bad for both humans and the animals that have been fed.”
Colorado has had laws prohibiting the feeding of big game wildlife for years. Wildlife officers can ticket people for inadvertently feeding wildlife by leaving out garbage, pet food and other food sources known to attract bears and other animals. Even bird food can attract larger wildlife to urban and suburban backyards, said western Colorado Springs District Wildlife Manager Trina Lynch.
“It can lead to attracting predators near your home,” Lynch said. “I have had that occur on more than one circumstance.”
Littleton District Wildlife Manager Suzanne Tracey suggested the regulation to prohibit feeding coyotes and foxes after she dealt with several incidents in which animals that had been regularly fed lost their normal wariness of people. Moore carried Tracey’s recommendation up the chain of command and the Colorado Wildlife Commission adopted the regulation in January.
Coyotes and foxes can turn up in just about any Colorado setting, from urban parks and suburban neighborhoods to mountain hamlets and ski resorts. Reports of coyotes and foxes appearing in and around suburban neighborhoods along the Front Range have surfaced for years. Citizens living in developments on the outer edges of the Denver metropolitan area have reported hearing packs of howling coyotes at night and seeing solitary coyotes or foxes wandering down residential streets. Foxes and coyotes have shown up in Washington Park, Sloan’s Lake and other Denver parks.
In the ski resort case, visitors apparently had been feeding human food to the coyote before the biting incident. Emboldened by previous encounters with people, the coyote approached the young female skier after she fell during a morning ski run with a friend. The victim rolled into a ball on the slope and the coyote bit her on the backside, said Melody Miller, a Durango-based district wildlife manager.
“It’s important for us as residents of Colorado to learn to coexist with wildlife, and that would entail not feeding wildlife and modifying our habits to reduce possible conflicts. It’s easier for us to learn to modify our lifestyles than to expect wildlife to do so. They are only doing what comes natural to them and don’t know any different,” Miller said. “We’ve got to keep the ‘wild’ in wildlife.”
In the Colorado Springs case, the coyote had been hanging around the Monument Valley Park ice rink when it bit the boy on the side of his abdomen. The child was treated for rabies as a precaution, though the coyote tested negative for the disease after it was put down, said Teller County District Wildlife Manager Tonya Sharp.
“The coyote was believed to have been fed by people and was regularly seen in the park,” Sharp said.
In Leadville, red foxes are causing problems for wildlife officials and citizens. District Wildlife Manager Tom Martin said the Leadville region has a large population of red foxes, and some animals survive on garbage and the kindness of local residents.
“Litters have been produced and raised in ‘dens’ under trailer homes. People seem to feel that the foxes are no threat, so they feed and almost tame some foxes. Although not confirmed, one guy would open his door at certain times of the day so that the fox could come into his house and be fed,” Martin said. “Almost always, the call to me comes from a neighbor of those doing the feeding. They are concerned with possible predation on cat and dog pets and the possibility of children being bitten.”
In the past, he said citizens were amazed to learn that feeding foxes was not illegal.
“I am pleased I can now tell them otherwise,” Martin said.
For more information about coyotes and foxes, please visit:
http://wildlife.state.co.us/education/livingwithwildlife/coyotecountry.asp and http://wildlife.state.co.us/education/mammalsguide/foxes.asp
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)