Wildlife & Wildlands Conservation

Colorado's wolf reintroduction, while supported by voters, presents challenges. The potential for wolves to prey on livestock, especially when wild prey like elk and deer are scarce, creates economic hardship for ranchers. To mitigate this, increased funding for the Forest Service is crucial for improved wildlands management, fostering healthy ecosystems that support both wolves and their natural prey, thereby reducing livestock conflicts.

Effective wildlife management necessitates a full range of tools, including hunting and fishing. Regulated wolf hunting, once populations are self-sustaining, may be necessary for population control. Hunters and anglers, through their direct interaction with wildlife, also provide valuable insights and data on species health and population dynamics, contributing to informed management decisions.

Currently, hunters and anglers contribute approximately 60% of the funding for state conservation efforts. To ensure sustainable conservation and meet our shared interest in preserving Colorado's natural resources, exploring alternative funding sources is essential. While an excise tax on recreational gear may be unpopular, it deserves consideration within the broader context of environmental responsibility and equitable contribution.

Key Considerations:

 * Predator-Prey Dynamics: Wolf reintroduction has long-term ecological benefits, like regulating ungulate populations, but also short-term livestock predation risks.

 * Livestock Mitigation: Strategies like non-lethal deterrents, grazing management, and compensation programs are vital.

 * Management Flexibility: Wildlife managers need access to all science-based tools, including hunting, to maintain ecological balance.

 * Funding Diversification: Broadening conservation funding beyond hunters and anglers, who are a shrinking percentage of the population, is essential for long-term sustainability and reflects a shared responsibility.