How to Have Less Impact on our Natural Areas

This is the follow-up from my last article on Brainard Lake Hunting Regulations changes. I promised to give everyone some ideas on how to have less impact on Brainard Lake as we get out and enjoy the beauty of Colorado this spring and summer. But this isn't really just about Brainard Lake -- it's about taking care to minimize our impact no matter where we choose to enjoy nature.

• Enjoy yourself, have fun, and stay safe.
• Know and follow the regulations: if the area is under some kind of local, state, or federal jurisdiction (most are), make sure you know whether you can bring pets and whether your pets need to be leashed. Are you allowed to: hike off-path, consume alcohol, build fires, camp, fish, fly a kite, etc.? Most importantly, follow the regulations. They're in place for your safety and to protect others, the land, animals, and plants, too.
• Know the local hunting seasons: if it's big-game season, don't go out there, or wear blaze orange to protect yourself. And most importantly, don't harass hunters. If they are hunting legally (the vast majority are), they have a right to be on the trails or in the backcountry, too. If you suspect someone is hunting illegally, contact local officials or law enforcement -- don't confront someone yourself.
• Keep your pets under control at all times: this might mean a leash or voice control, depending on what's allowed. At Brainard Lake, dogs must be leashed in many parts of the recreation area. Most national parks don't allow dogs on trails at all. Wildlife views your dog as it would a wolf or coyote: a predator. And Fido may actually be a predator. I've personally had one dog who was fast and agile enough to take down rabbits and when she was giving chase, her hearing "magically" shut down. Needless to say, when I took her hiking I kept her under leash control so she wouldn't terrorize the wildlife. Remember, too, that some other trail users (people) may not appreciate your dog running up to them, and may even view your pet with fear. Keep in mind that small animals are stressed by your dog chasing them, and larger animals may confront and attack your dog. If you don't want an unexpected vet bill, ticket, or lawsuit, keep your dog under control.
• If an area is posted as off-limits, don't go there: areas may be closed for restoration, bird nesting, your safety, or wildlife use. Please respect the agency governing the site and stay out of closed areas.
• Be respectful of others: in other words, be NICE. Don't harass other users of the area. Clean up after yourself (pack out all of your trash). Use the restroom facilities provided. Do you remember all of that polite stuff that mom tried to teach you? Yeah, do it.
• Stay a respectful distance from wildlife: for an idea of what this means, see this page for Yellowstone National Park.
• If you're in an area with bears, know bear safety: again, Yellowstone National Park has a great write-up on this.
• Bring appropriate clothing, food, and water: I could tell you dozens of stories about the inexperienced hikers I've seen going up into the Rocky Mountains for a hike while wearing only shorts, a T-shirt, and flip-flops and carrying nothing but a small bottle of water. I've also helped some people out of the backcountry who have been caught out without a jacket or water. Weather here can change very quickly. I've started off a hike with air temps of 80 deg F, and 4 hours later it was 40 degrees and snowing. Wear sturdy boots or hiking shoes. Carry extra food, water, and clothing, maybe even a first aid kit. Know how to keep yourself safe. Read books or take a class on backcountry skills (REI and many other outdoors stores offer them regularly).
• Know your limits, and when to stay home: If you're feeling unsure of yourself, or unsafe in a situation, STOP. It's probably best to just go home. Don't push past your limits unless you're with an experienced guide, instructor, or mentor who can coach you through the tough spots. Even more important, don't let your companions try to talk you into doing something that you know is beyond your limits. You're not Iron Man or Captain America. You're an ordinary human with limits. If you want to increase your outdoors skills, take classes through local hiking clubs, outdoors stores, or recreation centers.

Brainard Lake Update: Hunting Regulations

Update: The Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission met today (Jan 14, 2015) to hear the proposed solutions for the moose hunting situation at Brainard Lake Recreation Area, Colorado. In short, the Commission voted in favor of a 1/4 mile hunting exclusion zone as measured outward from the high water line of Brainard Lake. This will be effective each year, from the start of moose hunting season in early September until the gates close in early to mid October. Along with this hunting exclusion zone will be a concerted education and communications effort for everyone who uses that area (hunters, hikers, fishermen, campers, etc).

Colorado Parks and Wildlife worked hard with citizens groups on both sides of the issue to come to this compromise. Groups representing both hunters and non-hunters were part of the working group who contributed to the final proposal. We in the working group all agreed on the need for much more signage and education in the area. However, we agreed to disagree on how/if to proactively handle potential hunter/hiker conflict. In the end, it was up to the Commission to choose which option to implement (increased education only, or education plus some kind of hunting safety zone around the lake).

The Commission recognized and acknowledged the multi-use nature of the site, but several Commissioners noted that "multi-use" didn't include just hunters. They recognized that the non-hunting public, an increasing percentage of the population, also has rights and legitimate concerns. The Commission also generally recognized that the human population of Boulder and Larimer counties in Colorado is growing very quickly and that the Brainard Lake area is being more heavily used each year by the non-hunting public. Colorado Parks and Wildlife is facing a rapidly changing population - one which is composed of fewer hunters and more non-hunters each year. It was this recognition of the changing nature of the public using the area that prompted the decision to implement a hunting exclusion zone.

While I realize that many of you may have wanted a different outcome, I feel that this is a good starting point that will allow everyone continued access to the area. 

CPW and the citizens groups who worked on this compromise will continue to come together to draft education/communication materials and signage. We will also be helping with fundraising, as needed, to help CPW defray some of the costs associated with signage. Educational signage is expensive and CPW did not plan on this expense for Brainard Lake for the coming budget year (although they are working on allocating some funds). Hunters' advocacy groups volunteered to chip in funds for educational signage so it's my desire to see hikers, campers, and photographers also step up and help out as much as possible with this. After all, we share these areas - I'd like to see us follow the hunters' lead and contribute as well.

My next post will include ways that you can help make both yourself and our recreation areas safer for all to enjoy...

Text and photos copyright Nancy Rynes, 2015. You may link to this article, but please do not copy any of it without my written permission.

A Change in Hunting Ethics for Brainard Lake Recreation Area, Colorado

Bull moose at Brainard Lake, July 2014 (photo by Nancy Rynes)

Imagine that you decide to take your family into the mountains for camping, hiking, or maybe a picnic at one of your favorite recreation areas just an hour or so away. The recreation area is well-known for its stunning views of the mountains and abundant wildlife, including several large bull moose. The moose here are so used to people that they tolerate photographers and wildlife watchers to get relatively close without shying away. You live in a very large, congested metropolitan area so being able to get away to a beautiful place like this in the mountains is very relaxing and enjoyable. Besides, your kids like the moose so much that they've named them and clamor to go up and see Henry and Buster any chance they can.

But this weekend will turn out to be terribly different from your past visits this summer. It's early on Saturday morning and your kids scramble out of the camper early so they can go check out the moose. After breakfast, you take your family  for a short hike to the lake. Everyone knows the moose always eat the willows around the lake in the early morning. It doesn't take long to find the two huge bull moose...a crowd of over a dozen photographers, a few other families with kids, and several more  people are within 50 feet of Henry and Buster. You notice that there are other moose in the area too, for a total of five. Your kids are excited to see these big, beautiful animals so close - most people in the country only see moose like this in books and on TV.

Suddenly you notice movement from a group you thought were simply wildlife watchers. Instead of raising a camera to get a photo, though, one man raises a bow and shoots off an arrow directly into Henry's side! Now instead of a beautiful scene of moose grazing on willows, a wounded, terrified, 1200+ pound bull moose bellows in pain and starts running around in terror. His panic sets off the other four moose and now there are five huge, scared, wild animals running around an area with dozens of now-terrified photographers and families. The wounded moose, still running, barrels through two groups of photographers. As you grab your kids and scramble to safety, you hope that no one was hurt or killed by the wounded animal. 

Henry finally collapses on the ground and dies. Buster, distressed, stands by the side of his deceased buddy.

Emotions start to build between the photographers and hunter, and the photographers express their disgust and displeasure as to what just happened. It's at this moment that you notice the friends of the hunter start throwing rocks at Buster, the remaining moose, trying to drive him away so they can pose with the now-dead Henry for their victory photos. Buster doesn't much appreciate having rocks thrown at him so starts to get aggressive. The photographers intervene and get the hunter's friends to stop throwing rocks. In stunned silence, you move your now-crying kids back to the campsite, trying to figure out how to explain to them what just happened.

The details of the incident are real (as reported by eyewitnesses) and happened at Brainard Lake Recreation Area on September 6, 2014.

Not a pleasant scene, is it?

But this was technically a legal hunt. The hunter had a proper license and permit, the area was open to hunting, and Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) officials supervised the hunt. But while this was legal, it was far from responsible, ethical, sustainable, and safe.

• Innocent and uninformed wildlife enthusiasts were placed in harm's way by the hunt itself, its timing on a weekend, and CPW's lack of communication to the area's visitors.
• The moose at Brainard Lake are habituated to humans and tolerate more close contact than animals even at Teton or Yellowstone National Parks. "Hunting" of these moose is effectively like killing a dairy cow in a corral.
• Visitors to Brainard Lake go there to enjoy the scenery and wildlife. They don't expect to be placed in the middle of hunting season while they are camping or picnicking at one of the most popular parks in the Denver Metro area.

Some other facts to keep in mind:

• Parks and Wildlife officials did not tell the photographers or other onlookers viewing the moose that a hunt was in progress.
• According to visitors at Brainard Lake that Saturday, nowhere at the park entrance, in the parking lot, campground, on the website, or at the lake did they see clear signage to indicate that a moose hunt was in progress. There was no opportunity for visitors to make a decision to come back another time.
• According to US Forest Service statistics, Brainard Lake Recreation Area is the most heavily visited site in the Boulder Ranger District, and is one of the most popular in all of Arapahoe National Forest.
• This is a beloved picnicking, camping, wildlife-viewing, and hiking area for the Boulder-Denver metro area but is only slightly over 3,100 acres in size. Because of the multitudes of visitors using only limited facilities in a relatively small area, congestion is extreme. In fact, the usage to this area is so heavy that the Forest Service is considering alternative transportation options to lessen congestion.
• The campground contains 47 campsites which are typically filled each weekend, so upwards of 150 people were camping within 200 yards of the kill site.
• Many tourists come to Brainard specifically to see the large bull moose, some from out of state. Still others count the moose as an important secondary reason for visiting this area. The moose are an eco-tourism attraction. Allowing the big bulls here to be killed is a public relations and revenue fiasco in the making.

What We Propose for Brainard Lake Recreation Area

I am a member of a larger group who want to do something positive to change this situation. We are not against hunting; rather, we are in favor of safe, responsible, and ethical hunting practices. Let me reiterate that we are not against hunting (seems some folks are not seeing this). We are, however, calling for safer hunting regulations in areas that are heavily-visited by the public. These regulations already exist in other areas of Colorado and we feel they should be extended to Brainard Lake.

We propose working together with the Colorado Governor's office, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, the US Forest Service, and interested hunting and public groups to institute a plan that would allow for safe usage of Brainard Lake Recreation Area for visitors from Denver Metro area and beyond.

• For the remaining moose tag this season, close the area to visitors on the day the hunt is in progress, and communicate to the public in advance (signage, website, etc) of what is about to happen.
• For the future, institute a hunting exclusion zone, one mile in radius, outward from Brainard Lake (similar to what is already done at Mt Evans and in the moose habitat near Gould, CO) for the safety and enjoyment of the non-hunting public and the moose.  
• Hunters would still be able to hunt on the Forest Service lands nearby, just not in the designated exclusion zone. 
• This would allow the "eco-tourism" draw that the moose have to continue, as well as allow for continued hunting in that general area.  Recreation areas as beautiful as Brainard are gems because they are rare - the citizens of Colorado deserve a place they can go to enjoy this beauty and the wildlife without worrying about being injured by a hunt gone wrong.
• Once an exclusion zone is established, if at some point in the future the moose become over-populated (as confirmed by a third party, uninvolved biological conservation organization or consultant), limited culling could be instated for one season, closing the park on the day or days the hunt takes place. In this instance, a weekday cull would impact the fewest visitors. This is similar to deer population control programs instituted at city and county parks in major metropolitan areas of the midwestern US.

What Will it Accomplish?

We have an opportunity to work together to create a plan beneficial for hikers, campers, picnickers, wildlife enthusiasts, the moose, hunters, the US Forest Service, and the State of Colorado.

Our biggest concern is for the safety and continued enjoyment of the non-hunting public who loves visiting Brainard Lake. We are also concerned for the moose themselves. If we continue to allow hunting at the lake, within just a few short years the big bull moose will be nonexistent there and the attraction they have for visitors AND hunters will be gone.

What will this plan accomplish?

• Safety and enjoyment of the non-hunting public.
• Continued moose hunting in the lesser-visited Forest Service lands in the area.
• Continued enjoyment of one of the most beautiful and wildlife-rich recreation areas by the non-hunting public as an ecotourism draw.
• Maintenance of a healthy population of moose close to a major metropolitan area, something extremely rare in the lower 48 states.

Precious few places exist in the US where the average person can easily and reliably enjoy being around these majestic creatures. Brainard Lake is one of the best, and it's a stone's throw from the Denver Metro area. We have an opportunity to create a positive outcomes - we can be proactive, taking a responsible, ethical, and sustainable approach to wildlife management and visitor enjoyment. Let's allow the moose to continue to draw in and delight tens of thousands of outdoors enthusiasts every year.

Nancy Rynes (primary author), Science Writer and Artist, Boulder, CO



An online petition for you to sign is available here:

http://www.change.org/p/gov-john-hickenlooper-change-in-hunting-regulations-at-brainard-lake





People you can contact right now to voice your opinion:

Contact the Governor of Colorado:

http://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite/GovHickenlooper/CBON/1251592968310

Colorado Parks and Wildlife:

http://cpw.state.co.us/aboutus/Pages/ContactUs.aspx

To contact news agencies:

http://www.avangate.com/avangate-resources/article/press-release-distribution.htm

The Denver Post newspaper:

http://www.denverpost.com/newstips?source=hot-topic-bar

State Reps:

https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members/CO

State senator:

http://www.bennet.senate.gov/contact/