DENTRY: Duck hunting cutbacks to be proposed for South Platte

By Ed Dentry, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

It's no secret to anyone who has hunted along the South Platte River lately that all is not ducky. Waterfowlers have suffered fortunes more conducive to napping than Duck a la Orange.

Waiting for South Platte ducks is like Waiting for Godot.

Declining habitat is one problem. But research is pointing to excessive hunting pressure as a major suspect in keeping ducks away from their once-favored river haunts and causing them to roost on large reservoirs.

If that sounds like severe hunting restrictions might be circling over the decoys, get ready. State wildlife managers have drafted regulations proposing to cut back hunting days and limit hunter numbers on public lands along the river from Greeley to the Nebraska line.

The Division of Wildlife has scheduled five public meetings, starting Thursday, to gather hunter input on its ideas to minimize waterfowl disturbance and restore better duck hunting.

The draft regulations prescribe diverse measures at eight state wildlife areas, from reducing hunting to three days a week to hunting by reservation-only.

One exception to the pattern of restrictions is an additional opportunity offered to waterfowlers. At Jumbo Reservoir State Wildlife Area, some limited duck hunting would be allowed from "floating devices."

Not in the proposed regulations but up for discussion at the meetings will be some form of restrictions on private-land hunting. Wildlife commissioner Brad Coors suggested closing the entire corridor to hunting on certain days would be more equitable to the public.

The 6:30-8:30 p.m. meetings will be: Thursday, Sterling, at Comfort Inn, 2020 Leisure Lane; May 19, Fort Morgan, at Morgan Community College, 820 Barlow Road; May 20, Fort Collins, at Hilton Fort Collins, 317 W. Prospect Road; May 21, Greeley, at Greeley Guest House, 5401 W. Ninth St.; and May 27, Denver, DOW Headquarters, 6060 Broadway.

If adopted, the new rules would go into effect Sept. 1. Here's a summary of proposed changes:

* Atwood SWA, Logan County. During the span of dates that describe regular duck hunting seasons, small game hunters and waterfowlers must check out before leaving the property.

* Bravo SWA, Logan County. Small game and waterfowl hunting by reservation only. Hunting permitted only Saturdays, Sundays, Wednesdays and holidays.

* Brush SWA, Morgan County. Mandatory checkout during dates spanning the regular duck hunting seasons.

* Jackson Lake SWA, Morgan County. Small game and waterfowl hunting by reservation only. Hunting permitted only Saturdays, Sundays, Wednesdays and holidays.

* Jean K. Tool SWA, Morgan County. Mandatory checkout during dates spanning the regular duck hunting seasons.

* Jumbo Reservoir, Logan and Sedgwick counties. Duck hunting from floating devices allowed by reservation on Saturdays, Sundays, Wednesdays and holidays.

* Overland Trail SWA, Logan County. Small game and waterfowl hunting Saturdays, Sundays, Wednesdays and holidays. Hunters must check out by 2 p.m.

* Red Lion SWA, Logan County. Mandatory checkout during dates spanning the regular duck hunting seasons.

BOATS TO AURORA: Boaters planning to visit Aurora Reservoir for the fishing tournament Saturday might like to have their vessels inspected in advance to ensure they are free of invasive Zebra mussels.

Aurora Parks has come up with a way to help fishers avoid long delays by inspecting boats ahead of time. Boat inspectors are standing by at Quincy and Aurora reservoirs. Boats that pass inspection will be sealed to their trailers. On Saturday, those with unbroken seals will be waved in.

The tournament will run 5:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Registration forms are available at AuroraGov.org, under Parks and Open Space.