Herd Management (DAU) Plans

Big game populations are managed to achieve population and sex ratio objectives established for Data Analysis Units. A Data Analysis Unit (DAU) is the geographic area that represents the year-around range of a big game herd and includes all of the seasonal ranges of a specific herd. Each DAU usually is composed of several Game Management Units (GMUs), but in some cases only one GMU makes up a DAU.

The purpose of a DAU plan is to integrate the plans and intentions of Colorado Parks and Wildlife with the concerns and ideas of land management agencies and interested publics to determine how a big game herd in a DAU should be managed.

In preparing a DAU plan, agency personnel attempt to balance the biological capabilities of the herd and its habitat with the public's demand for wildlife recreational opportunities.

The primary decisions needed for each DAU plan are how many animals should exist in the DAU and what is the desired sex ratio for the population of big game animals e.g., the number of males per 100 females. The selection of population and sex ratio objectives drive important decisions in the big game season setting process, namely, how many animals must be harvested to maintain or move toward the objectives and what types of hunting seasons are required to achieve the harvest objective. These primary objectives are set for a 10-year period of time.

DRAFT PLANS FOR PUBLIC COMMENT

When a plan is available for comment, information will appear below, so please check back periodically.
Plans are available for 30 day comment periods.

B-17 DAU Draft Plan

D-27 DAU Draft Plan

The 2012 draft management plan for Data Analysis Unit (DAU) B-17, is now open to public comment. Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is seeking public input on the black bear management plan for the Grand Mesa area, which covers Game Management Units (GMUs) 41, 42, 421, 52, 53, 63, 411, 521 in parts of Mesa, Delta, Garfield, Gunnison, and Montrose counties.

We are gathering input through a short online survey or written comment. We encourage all interested parties to comment.

Surveys must be completed by May 31, 2012.

Submit written comments to:

Stephanie Duckett
Colorado Parks and Wildlife
711 Independent Ave.
Grand Junction, CO 81505

The 2012 draft management plan for the Boulder Creek deer herd, Data Analysis Unit (DAU) D-27, is now open to public comment. The Boulder Creek deer herd is located in portions of Clear Creek, Jefferson, Gilpin, and Boulder counties and includes Game Management Units (GMUs) 29 and 38. Colorado Parks & Wildlife (CPW) is seeking your input on the future management of the Boulder Creek deer herd. CPW is providing a 30-day comment period, ending May 31st, 2012. We encourage all interested parties to comment.

If you are interested in commenting on the Boulder Creek deer herd DAU (D-27) (2MB), please submit comments to Ben Kraft at ben.kraft@state.co.us with D-27 DAU Comments in the subject line.

For questions, contact:

Ben Kraft
Terrestrial Biologist
NE Region
Phone:
(970) 472-4466