2008 Big Game Feeding: Frequently Asked Questions

This is background information for reporters, editors and the public regarding the big game feeding operation that has started in the Gunnison Basin.
 
Why is the DOW feeding big game animals during the winter?
      The Gunnison Basin occasionally experiences extreme winter conditions. The conditions - which affect deer the most - cause food sources to be covered or inaccessible to wildlife. Animals become exhausted while pushing through deep snow and deplete their internal fat stores and energy reserves.
      Some winter mortality in deer is normal; generally around 8-15 percent of the does will die in an average winter. The current extreme conditions, however, could cause many more animals to die than would occur normally. In an extreme winter, the deer population could be dramatically reduced by up to 30 percent and not recover for several years.
      The goal of the Division of Wildlife is to maintain a stable population of big game animals. These animals are important to the environment, an important resource to the state of Colorado, and important to the economy of Gunnison County.
      Feeding is only done during extreme winter conditions.
 
What animals are being fed? And how will they be fed?
DEER: They are the most susceptible of the big game species to extreme winter conditions. Deer are classified as "browsers," so they eat primarily shrubs and forbs. Unlike elk, they obtain very little nutrition from grasses or hay. During winter, deer in the Gunnison Basin feed primarily on sage brush. But this year much of the sage is covered completely with deep snow.
The feeding operation is aimed primarily at deer. They will be fed a specially formulated high-energy wafer developed by DOW scientists during the 1980s.
 Deer typically gather in small herds so delivering food to them at numerous locations will be challenging. It's estimated there are about 21,000 deer in the Gunnison basin. Based on previous experience the DOW will attempt to feed about 8,000 deer. The remainder are inaccessible or in areas where they are finding food on their own.
 
ELK: These large animals are well adapted to surviving long, harsh winters. They can move easily through deep snow, and their digestive system allows them to survive on a wide variety of food, including aspen bark, grasses and hay. Because elk typically gather in large herds during winter, foraging and moving is easier for them. The DOW hopes to minimize feeding of elk.
During winter elk gather in large herds, sometimes up to 500 animals. It's estimated that there are about 16,000 elk in the area.
Any feeding of elk will be done to help keep them away from the areas where deer will be fed. Because of their large size and behavior, elk would dominate feeding areas, move deer off the feed grounds and displace them
 
BIGHORN SHEEP: Because they winter mainly in steep terrain where snow doesn't accumulate, they are not as affected as deer by snow depth. Food grows in their rocky habitats, so they are well adapted to survive tough winter weather.
Feed could be delivered to up to 250 animals that winter in accessible areas if it is determined that feeding is necessary. They would receive the same feed that is given to deer.
 
PRONGHORN: About 600 of these speedy critters are in the basin. But feeding them is difficult because they do not move easily to areas where feed is spread. The specially formulated feed will be placed in select areas in an attempt to feed the Pronghorn.
 
Will the animals become totally dependent on the feed?
      No, as soon as the weather warms and areas of natural forage open up they will move quickly to those areas. Wildlife prefer natural food.
 
Should I feed deer that are in my yard?
      Absolutely not! Deer are accustomed to a very specific diet that matches their digestive system. They cannot digest hay or pet food.
      If there is sage brush or other shrubs on your property, knock the snow of those so animals will have access to a natural feed source.
      But please, do not put out food for big game animals.
 
How many feeding sites will be set up in the Gunnison area?
      Wildlife managers will continually evaluate how the feeding operation will be organized. Biologists are flying over the area to determine the location of the deer and elk herds. Numerous factors will be considered in establishing the feeding plan. The feed has been ordered from a Front Range supplier.
 
How long will the feeding continue?
      Probably about 6-8 weeks or until the weather moderates. By early March the weather starts to warm up and snow will melt off south-facing hillsides. When natural forage opens up, the wildlife will move to those areas quickly.
 
Does the DOW need volunteers to help with the feeding effort?
      Yes, we'll need lots of help. The DOW is especially in need of volunteers who can provide snowmobiles, sno-cats, trailers and reliable four-wheel drive vehicles that are good in snowy conditions. Volunteers who can snowshoe or cross-country ski into sites are also needed.
      Volunteers should be able to spend several days on the project. Out-of-area volunteers are encouraged to commit to a five-day stay. Single-day assistance is discouraged because of required training time. We also need people with flexible schedules who can work some weekdays. For liability reasons, you must fill out a DOW volunteer application form in order to volunteer for any project. That form can be found at the DOW web site: http://wildlife.state.co.us/Volunteer. Look for the "Volunteer Application" link in the middle of the page.
      The forms should be printed out and faxed to (970)641-7883. Applications can also be mailed, through Jan. 25, to: Jennifer Kleffner, Colorado Division of Wildlife, 300 New York Ave., Gunnison, CO, 81230; after that date mail to Kleffner at 415 Turner Drive, Durango, CO 81303.
      If you live in the Gunnison area, you can go to the local office to pick-up and drop-off applications.
      For more information, call Jennifer at (970)375-6704.        
 
Is there any other way to help?
      Yes, the feeding operation will be expensive and those who wish can donate to the effort. To make a donation go to the DOW Web site: http://wildlife.state.co.us, click on donation button.
      You can also go to any of the 16 DOW service offices in Colorado to make a donation. Those locations and phone number are listed below.
     
How often must the DOW conduct winter feeding operations?
      Feeding operations are rare. Wildlife are provided food only when winter conditions are extreme. Feeding operations occurred in the Gunnison area in the winter of 1983-84; and 1996-97.
      Conditions this year are not as severe as in 1983-84 when snow and extremely cold temperatures arrived in November. This year there was little snow on the ground before mid December so the deer were able to continue browsing to get nutrition. The risk of severe mortality is considerably less that in 1983-84.
 
Does the DOW have an official feeding policy?
      Yes, here is what is says:
Emergency Winter Feeding and Baiting of Big Game Ungulates
Emergency feeding of big game ungulates may be used as a last resort to reduce unusually severe winter-related mortality in cases where the anticipated winter-related mortality exceeds thirty percent (30%) of the adult female segment of a major big game population. Compared to small game, big game populations recover more slowly from significant winter mortality. Therefore, consideration should also be given to the effects of mortality on population recovery and associated impacts to local economies, license numbers, etc.
 
In such cases, the decision of where and when to feed will be made by the Director of the Division of Wildlife after considering site-specific information (quantified to the extent possible) about the anticipated costs of feeding versus the consequences of not feeding.
The Colorado Wildlife Commission recognizes the additional and unique threat created by congregating animals into feeding areas where Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) exposed animals may be present. Therefore, notwithstanding any other provision in this policy, emergency winter feeding shall not occur in any Game Management Unit (GMU) where CWD has been found in wild ungulate populations without prior approval of the Commission.
 
Baiting is defined as the use of feed to move or redistribute animals with no intent to support or maintain animal condition. Baiting of big game ungulates may be used to prevent or reduce damage to private property when other preventative measures have been ruled impracticable, inappropriate or ineffective. Furthermore, when considering whether or not to bait, the cost of baiting relative to the estimated cost of damage to private property should be evaluated. Baiting may also be used to address the loss of animals unusually congregating near highways and railroad tracks (often as a result of severe winter weather). These situations create a public hazard and can cause significant localized big game mortality. The decision of where and when to bait will be made by the Director of the Division of Wildlife (or the Director’s designee).
 
Will this affect hunting next fall?
      The feeding operation is aimed at preventing doe deer mortality from going above 30 percent. Doing so will ensure good hunting in the basin in future years, but there could be some adjustments to license numbers for next fall. License numbers will be determined this spring using the best biological information available that is acquired during the course of the winter. 
      Big game managers will consider the effects of the winter for herds throughout western Colorado before making a determination on license numbers for this fall. Numbers are set in early May by the Colorado Wildlife Commission.
 
How much will this cost?
      As of Jan. 11, the Colorado Wildlife Commission made a special appropriation of $160,000 to get the feeding effort started. Additional appropriations will be made as needed.
 
Can the public come to watch the feeding operation?
      No. The feeding operation will be a major, complex effort. Other than DOW employees, only volunteers willing to help will be allowed into feeding areas.
      Minimizing the disturbance to deer is very important. If you are not helping, the public is asked to stay away from the area.
      The Wildlife Commission has also authorized the closing of critical areas to all wildlife recreational uses, including hunting, wildlife watching and shed antler collecting. Other public lands agencies will close these areas to recreation activities, including cross-country skiing, snowmobiling and snowshoeing. 
 
Are there other agencies involved in the feeding operation?
      Yes, the DOW is working with the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Forest Service, the National Parks Service and Gunnison County. Much of the feeding activity will occur on federal land.
      The DOW is also working with private landowners.
 
Where can I find more information about big game and wildlife in Colorado?
      Go to the Web site of the Colorado Division of Wildlife: http://wildlife.state.co.us/. The site contains information about wildlife species, hunting, fishing, education and there are special pages and activities for kids.
      Information about the on-going feeding operations also will be posted regularly on the site.
      To access information about the feeding operation, got to:
http://wildlife.state.co.us/WildlifeSpecies/
 
 
Colorado Division of Wildlife Service Centers
 
Brush Service Center
122 E. Edison                                                                
Brush, CO 80723
(970) 842-6300
 
Colorado Springs Service Center
4255 Sinton Rd.
Colorado Springs, CO 80907
(719) 227-5200
 
Denver Service Center
6060 Broadway
Denver, CO 80216
(303) 291-7227
 
Durango Service Center
151 E. 16th St.
Durango, CO 81301
(970) 247-0855
 
Fort Collins Service Center
317 W. Prospect
Fort Collins, CO 80526
(970) 472-4300
 
Glenwood Springs Service Center        
5063 Highway 6 & 24
Glenwood  Springs, CO 81601
(970) 947-2920
 
Gunnison Service Center          
300 W. New York Ave.
Gunnison, CO 81230
(970) 641-7060
 
Grand Junction Service Center
711 Independent
Grand Junction, CO 81506
(970) 255-6100
 
Hot Sulfur Springs Service Center
346 Grand, County Road 362
Hot Sulfur Springs, CO 80451             
(970) 725-6200
 
 
Lamar Service Center              
2500 S. Main St.
Lamar, CO 81052
(719) 336-6600
 
Meeker Service Center            
73485 Hwy 64
Meeker, CO 81641
(970) 878-6090
 
Monte Vista Service Center     
0722 South Road, 1 East
Monte Vista, CO 81144
(719) 587-6900
 
Montrose Service Center         
2300 S. Townsend Ave.
Montrose, CO 81401
(970) 252-6000
 
Pueblo Service Center             
600 Reservoir Rd.
Pueblo, CO 81005
(719) 561-5300
 
Salida Service Center              
7405 Hwy 50
Salida, CO 81201
(719) 530– 5520
 
Steamboat Springs Service Center       
925 Weiss Rd.
Steamboat Springs, CO 80487
(970) 870-2197