Diminished Hunting

Diminished Hunting

David Sparks Ph.D.
David Sparks Ph.D.
The Colorado Cattlemen's Association has learned of the upcoming announcement of a presidential declaration defining 21,000 acres along the Arkansas River, known as Browns Canyon as a national monument.? After it became clear that a presidential declaration was being pursued, CCA reached out to Senator Bennet and Governor Hickenlooper, both of whom agreed to work on ensuring that grazing would continue without changes or restrictions. I certainly agree with CCA's disappointment about all this with regard to grazing but there's another angle. There was an article in the Idaho Statesman with the headline: "Oregon's decline in hunting and fishing highlights the importance of healthy wildlife and access." The article goes on to say "Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is facing a $32 million funding shortage, which is in part because fewer people hunt and fish there." It turns out that with fewer acres of huntable property, outdoorsmen are less inclined to go and buy tags. That in turn devastates fish and wildlife budgets. Not to be paranoid, but if Brown's Canyon becomes a national monument and knowing the Obama agenda would hunting and fishing be nixed? Could Colorado become the next Oregon?

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