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Herd Management Plans (HMP)
Herd Management Plans (HMP)
Bull elk with cow herd
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​​​​​​Draft Herd Management Plans - seeking public comment

Roaring Fork and Eagle Valley Black Bear Population

Please review and provide input on the Draft Bear Management Plan for the Roaring Fork and Eagle Valley black bear population. This bear plan covers Game Management Units (GMUs) 35, 36, 43, 44, 45, 47, 361, 444, and 471. These areas are referred to geographically as Data Analysis Unit (DAU) B-11.

After reviewing the draft plan, please complete the online survey by November 10, 2021. Comments may also be emailed to Wildlife Biologist Julie Mao or mailed to:

Julie Mao
Colorado Parks and Wildlife
Attn. B-11 Plan
0088 Wildlife Way
Glenwood Springs, CO 81601


Cimarron Mule Deer and Elk Herds

Please share your input on the management of the Cimarron deer and elk herds, which cover Game Management Units (GMUs) 64 and 65 in portions of Delta, Gunnison, Hinsdale, Montrose, and Ouray counties. These areas are also referred to geographically as Data Analysis Units (DAUs) D-40 and E-35.

Please review the draft deer plan and the draft elk plan and email your comments to Alyssa Kircher by November 15, 2021. Comments may also be mailed to:

Colorado Parks and Wildlife
Attn. Alyssa Kircher
2300 S. Townsend Ave.
Montrose, CO 81401

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​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​About Big Game Herd Management (HMP) 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 an HMP plan is to integrate the plans and intentions of Colorado Parks and Wildlife with the concerns and ideas of land management agencies and interested public to determine how a big game herd in a DAU should be managed.

In preparing n HMP 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 HMP 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 (which are set for a 10-year period of time) drive important decisions in the big game season setting process, namely: 

  • How many animals must be harvested to maintain or move toward the objectives 

  • What types of hunting seasons are required to achieve the harvest objective

Finalized Herd Management Plans

Bear

Map

Bighorn Sheep

Map

Deer

Map

Elk

Map

Moose

Map

Pronghorn

Map

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