DOW Amending Grand Mesa Herd Plans to Match Public Management Goals

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The Colorado Division of Wildlife is revising Data Analysis Unit plans for deer on the north side of the Grand Mesa and elk on the entire Grand Mesa. The plans were last updated by the Wildlife Commission in 2007 following a lengthy public input process, however new herd modeling methods have provided a refined population estimate.
 
"In 2007, our public meetings showed that, for the most part, there was general satisfaction with the size of the deer and elk herds on the Mesa," explained Stephanie Duckett, terrestrial biologist for the Grand Junction area.
 
Modeling methods in 2007 estimated that Game Management Units 41, 42 and 421 held more mule deer than currently believed. The older modeling methodology also estimated fewer elk than new modeling estimates in Game Management Units 41, 42, 421, 411, 52 and 521.
 
The Division of Wildlife is constantly refining population estimate models with information from deer and elk survival studies, harvest and classification data, along with utilizing more powerful analytical software. On-going research in places like Middle Park and the Piceance Basin provides hard data that can be used to improve modeling techniques in other places where deer and elk are found. 
 
"Accurately estimating populations across a broad area is challenging but we continue to refine our skills and ability to combine many sources of data into a single comprehensive population estimate," said John Broderick, Senior Terrestrial Biologist for Northwest Colorado. "The actual number of animals on the ground doesn't change but as our science evolves we have to adjust our estimate of those animals to accurately reflect our emerging knowledge of things like annual harvest, male/female ratios and winter survival."
 
The Grand Mesa elk herd is now estimated at approximately 18,000 animals, while mule deer numbers are estimated to be closer to 20,000. To accommodate the new herd estimates while honoring the public's basic support of keeping population levels steady, DOW has adjusted herd objectives to reflect management goals of 16,000 - 24,000 mule deer and 14,500-21,500 elk. 
 
"If we update population estimates without doing a corresponding adjustment of herd population objectives, we would end up managing herd sizes to fit old objectives," explained Duckett. "That approach would be contrary to how the public wants us to manage these herds." 
 
As an example, the old population objective for elk was 9,000 to 11,000. However that goal was established based on an estimate of approximately 11,500 elk on the Grand Mesa. At several public meetings and through public comments, the desire was expressed to keep elk populations at current levels. When the refined estimate determined that there are approximately 18,000 elk on the Grand Mesa, it became necessary to re-align goals to meet the public desire.
 
DOW management objectives for herds are contained in Data Analysis Unit plans, which must be approved by the Colorado Wildlife Commission before being implemented. Prior to going through the Wildlife Commission process, the Division of Wildlife undertakes a public comment period. Because several public meetings were held for the recent adoption of the previous management plan, DOW is not planning public meetings on this amendment process. Though no public meetings are planned, the Division is accepting written comments on the plan amendment before proceeding. 
 
Comments or questions regarding the Data Analysis Unit plan amendments for the Grand Mesa herds can be directed to Stephanie Duckett, Area Terrestrial Biologist, 711 Independent Ave., Grand Junction, CO 81505. The deadline to provide public comments is November 18, 2009.

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