05-02-2008, 08:16 PM
Closures implemented by the Colorado Division of Wildlife (DOW) remain in place until May 16 for all wildlife-related recreational uses, except fishing, on public lands in the Gunnison Basin below 9,500 feet. Until the DOW ends its big-game feeding program, the closure to all human activity on public lands is being enforced by the Bureau of Land Management. These closure orders were put in place by the agencies in mid-January to protect deer, pronghorn and elk affected by severe winter conditions.
The closures also will help to protect wildlife habitat, especially for the Gunnison-sage grouse during its critical mating period which will continue through mid-May.
The closures are a cooperative effort of the Colorado Division of Wildlife, the U.S. Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the National Park Service and Gunnison County.
Once the DOW feeding program has ended, the BLM will allow non-motorized uses on public lands; but it will also restrict motorized use to protect wildlife habitat, muddy roads and trails from damage. Big game animals are still in a stressed condition from the prolonged winter. These closures will allow the animals to move slowly and without disturbance back to their summer range as the weather warms up.
Public lands users are also reminded that this is the first year that areas in the Gunnison Basin will be closed to shed antler collecting from March 15 through May 15. All public lands in Game Management Units 54, 55, 551, 66 and 67 are closed to shed antler collecting during that time period to protect Gunnison-sage grouse.
Several county and BLM roads are also closed at this time and expected to reopen on May 16. These are annual closures.
Following is the official DOW closure order: "The area to be closed shall include all public lands from east of Gunnison at the intersection of U.S. Highway 50 and the Saguache County line and running west to the Dillon Pinnacles at Blue Mesa Reservoir, from U.S. Highway 50 north to the 9,500 foot contour interval and following a line from the Dillon Pinnacles south of U.S. Highway 50 to the 9,500 foot contour interval running back to the east along the 9,500 foot contour interval to an imaginary line that runs back north to the intersection of U.S. Highway 50 and the Saguache County line."
The closures also will help to protect wildlife habitat, especially for the Gunnison-sage grouse during its critical mating period which will continue through mid-May.
The closures are a cooperative effort of the Colorado Division of Wildlife, the U.S. Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the National Park Service and Gunnison County.
Once the DOW feeding program has ended, the BLM will allow non-motorized uses on public lands; but it will also restrict motorized use to protect wildlife habitat, muddy roads and trails from damage. Big game animals are still in a stressed condition from the prolonged winter. These closures will allow the animals to move slowly and without disturbance back to their summer range as the weather warms up.
Public lands users are also reminded that this is the first year that areas in the Gunnison Basin will be closed to shed antler collecting from March 15 through May 15. All public lands in Game Management Units 54, 55, 551, 66 and 67 are closed to shed antler collecting during that time period to protect Gunnison-sage grouse.
Several county and BLM roads are also closed at this time and expected to reopen on May 16. These are annual closures.
Following is the official DOW closure order: "The area to be closed shall include all public lands from east of Gunnison at the intersection of U.S. Highway 50 and the Saguache County line and running west to the Dillon Pinnacles at Blue Mesa Reservoir, from U.S. Highway 50 north to the 9,500 foot contour interval and following a line from the Dillon Pinnacles south of U.S. Highway 50 to the 9,500 foot contour interval running back to the east along the 9,500 foot contour interval to an imaginary line that runs back north to the intersection of U.S. Highway 50 and the Saguache County line."