Colorado bison legislation

[Bluffgruff]

I haven't run this through my brain on the fine filter, just posting to start the conversation

Colorado only thinks of bison as livestock. A new bill could mean new protections for their wild counterparts

The proposal comes from a committee devoted to incorporating Native American concerns into state policy.

www.cpr.org

My initial thought was "awesome," but I'm a little concerned that this is directed at making them a non-huntable species.

Talk amongst yourselves.

 

[wytex]

I think Wyoming is the same now, bison are livestock although we do have state licenses for hunting them.
When I took my cow bison I could get any beef processor in town to process it for me but they will not do game meat.
The livestock designation allows that.

Not sure if it has changed in Wyoming but was that way for years if not still the same. Allows bison ranching and "hunting" on such places without a license.

 

[BuzzH]

I think Wyoming is the same now, bison are livestock although we do have state licenses for hunting them.
When I took my cow bison I could get any beef processor in town to process it for me but they will not do game meat.
The livestock designation allows that.

Not sure if it has changed in Wyoming but was that way for years if not still the same. Allows bison ranching and "hunting" on such places without a license.

No, they're their own classification "wild bison", not livestock and not wildlife either.

 

[COEngineer]

When I first heard about wild bison being shot in on sight in CO as soon as they cross the border from Utah, I was stupefied. How can an animal that is a highly prized huntable game animal on one side of the border be worthless (zero protections) on the other side. Just like many other species, they aren't going to thrive everywhere, but the idea of not even having a framework to manage them as wildlife is too far down the road of "out of convenience for ranchers, we aren't going to even try to have a wild population."

I also feel like we are going to have them listed on the ESA if we don't do anything (and might anyway), so why not get out ahead of it at the state level while we can.

There are a lot of nuances and a lot of history to understand how we got where we are today. However, I haven't heard a convincing argument for not classifying free-ranging bison as wildlife (and preferably a game species). Like the OP, I'm interested to hear other's perspective.

 

[LuketheDog]

There's very little good info in that CPR article or the bill itself, just like there are very few, if any, wild bison in Colorado in a given year. To me this reeks of another politicization of wildlife in Colorado. Although I'd love to see wild bison here, they'll just have to get in line behind the wolves, wolverines, and grizzly bears for their share of attention...

 

[Bluffgruff]

Adding a couple more things to read

Locals cool to idea of wildlife designation for bison

When Colorado Parks and Wildlife held a public meeting in Rangely early this month about the potential for designating as wildlife bison like those that occasionally wander across the state

www.gjsentinel.com

Bill making bison big game wildlife expected next year

Colorado state lawmakers next year likely will consider a bill that would designate bison as big game wildlife, which would end unregulated hunting that has occurred over the years in

www.google.com

 

[bayoublaster7527]

I haven't run this through my brain on the fine filter, just posting to start the conversation

Colorado only thinks of bison as livestock. A new bill could mean new protections for their wild counterparts

The proposal comes from a committee devoted to incorporating Native American concerns into state policy.

www.cpr.org

My initial thought was "awesome," but I'm a little concerned that this is directed at making them a non-huntable species.

Talk amongst yourselves.

I am immediately skeptical of anything that comes out of the Colorado General Assembly these days, it’s a new level of crazy every session. That being said, I love the idea of wild bison roaming the plains again and the long term chance of a free range hunt. This does reek of typical CO Dem virtue signaling and social justice pandering to indigenous people at the request of their urban Denver/Boulder progressive base. Are there enough bison in CO to really make this a valid issue? Are we talking about taking on reintroduction of another controversial species right now? The wolf folks intentionally designated them as “non-game” in the proposition to prevent any chance of recreational hunting in the future. I feel like most voters have some serious reintroduction fatigue after this wolf debacle.

 

[Bigjay73]

I think Wyoming is the same now, bison are livestock although we do have state licenses for hunting them.
When I took my cow bison I could get any beef processor in town to process it for me but they will not do game meat.
The livestock designation allows that.

Not sure if it has changed in Wyoming but was that way for years if not still the same. Allows bison ranching and "hunting" on such places without a license.

Do successful hunters get their animals tested for brucellosis?

 

[Hunting Wife]

I haven't run this through my brain on the fine filter, just posting to start the conversation

Colorado only thinks of bison as livestock. A new bill could mean new protections for their wild counterparts

The proposal comes from a committee devoted to incorporating Native American concerns into state policy.

www.cpr.org

My initial thought was "awesome," but I'm a little concerned that this is directed at making them a non-huntable species.

Talk amongst yourselves.

I don’t think the goal is to make them non-huntable. As livestock, they are already that. I think this is more directed at getting them under the purview of CPW so the hunting could be regulated, which would mean the current unregulated shooting could be addressed.

If there is ever to be a bison hunt in Colorado, this is the necessary first step. But the way the article describes the development of the bill, it sounds like tribal hunting opportunities are the main impetus for this change? Not sure what public opportunities might look like.

 

[Wildabeest]

I don’t think the goal is to make them non-huntable. As livestock, they are already that. I think this is more directed at getting them under the purview of CPW so the hunting could be regulated, which would mean the current unregulated shooting could be addressed.

If there is ever to be a bison hunt in Colorado, this is the necessary first step. But the way the article describes the development of the bill, it sounds like tribal hunting opportunities are the main impetus for this change? Not sure what public opportunities might look like.

Tribes are learning that there’s big $ in restoring bison herds to allow fee based hunting on their reservations. I’m not at all opposed to it, just pointing out what they don’t talk about in their feel good documentaries.

 

[Straight Arrow]

Tribes are learning that there’s big $ in restoring bison herds to allow fee based hunting on their reservations. I’m not at all opposed to it, just pointing out what they don’t talk about in their feel good documentaries.

My perspective of Montana tribes is contrary to that. What I have noticed is a pretty fair appreciation for bison on the landscape of reservations for the historical and spiritual meaningfulness. Also publicized are the revenue producing public bison hunts.

 

[Forkyfinder]

Tribes are learning that there’s big $ in restoring bison herds to allow fee based hunting on their reservations. I’m not at all opposed to it, just pointing out what they don’t talk about in their feel good documentaries.

Meh - who cares?

The profit incentive has and will continue to put a lot of wildlife on the landscape. Good on them for making good use of their resources - i hope their market and tribal bison numbers grow.

 

[Wildabeest]

My perspective of Montana tribes is contrary to that. What I have noticed is a pretty fair appreciation for bison on the landscape of reservations for the historical and spiritual meaningfulness. Also publicized are the revenue producing public bison hunts.

I’ve actually looked into the Blackfeet hunt. Not much info to be found online. I called and talked to them. I’m somewhat intrigued by it.

 

[Straight Arrow]

I’ve actually looked into the Blackfeet hunt. Not much info to be found online. I called and talked to them. I’m somewhat intrigued by it.

Can't recall where, but I recently saw an article about that hunt.

 

[Bluffgruff]

I don’t think the goal is to make them non-huntable. As livestock, they are already that. I think this is more directed at getting them under the purview of CPW so the hunting could be regulated, which would mean the current unregulated shooting could be addressed.

If there is ever to be a bison hunt in Colorado, this is the necessary first step. But the way the article describes the development of the bill, it sounds like tribal hunting opportunities are the main impetus for this change? Not sure what public opportunities might look like.

I like your thoughts on the issue, that this is a first step. Apparently there was public scoping in the area in question, but I was never aware of it. There were ideas about having a plan to hunt them, but nothing official, where a core area was draw only, and the area outside of that was OTC to effectively fence them with hunting pressure.

 

[squirrel]

When you are trying to change the wording it is important to use the right wording. These bison were not being "poached". They were being killed. Probably not an important point to the bison.

While horn-hunting miles from private I had a giant bull bison walk by me, it was "look somebody's buffalo got out". Never pondered making that mountain of free meat into freezer filler. In hindsight maybe I was being too constrained in my thinking. And he sure as hell didn't come from Utah.

 

[Wildabeest]

And he sure as hell didn't come from Utah.

No flat brim hat?

 

[wytex]

No, they're their own classification "wild bison", not livestock and not wildlife either.

Thanks for that info Buzz.

BigJay I think they do now. For the spouse's cow bison they were not tested but we did it voluntarily. His cow was positive so the cow bison that year had 100% positive rates, lol.
I know for my 2nd cow bison it was mandatory to get it tested, not on my 1st.
The Tag N Drag gal did not wear gloves while field dressing them, I asked about brucellosis and she said she just washes her hands well at the end of the day.

 

[TOGIE]

When you are trying to change the wording it is important to use the right wording. These bison were not being "poached". They were being killed. Probably not an important point to the bison.

While horn-hunting miles from private I had a giant bull bison walk by me, it was "look somebody's buffalo got out". Never pondered making that mountain of free meat into freezer filler. In hindsight maybe I was being too constrained in my thinking. And he sure as hell didn't come from Utah.

Livestock is livestock inside or outside of a fence... we are an open range state so I'd be careful there.

Anyway, I also was peeved at the use of the word poach for what is technically a legal action.

I would think our chances of hunting wild bison in colorado are approximately 1000 times higher than ever hunting a wolves.

 

[Straight Arrow]

I would think our chances of hunting wild bison in colorado are approximately 1000 times higher than ever hunting a wolves.

If it's any consolation ... there are those on here who have eaten wolf, but i'd venture to say that bison meat is a whole lot tastier.