Originally Posted by RyanF
Maybe I'm a selfish jerk but, I don't want to recruit any more outdoor people or increase outdoor access opportunities. There are too many hunters, anglers, hikers, etc. When tags are on a lottery system, by definition, we don't need more hunters. The animals are pressured all year by hikers and mountain bikers and back country skiers -which is a very bad thing that isn't talked about. The lakes and rivers are overcrowded. The last thing we need is another fisherman.

I don't see the political benefit to recruiting. Around 14% of Colorado hunts something. Increase that to say, 20% and we are still a small minority. It just means lower tag draw odds and more pressure on fish and animals. And, as seen on this forum, hunters don't much agree on politics.

So please don't recruit more outdoorsy people.


I don't think you are selfish because you want something. And I know what you mean by the crowded outdoors. Every square inch of land in my county is privately owned except for one hunting area. The state is kind enough to release pheasants about 40 miles from me every year in two or three different areas. But going out there to hunt means that there is a hunter in any direction about 40 yards from you. I have always been surprised that no one that I have ever heard of, has been shot while they were hunting in either of those areas. And it does not take long for those areas to get hunted out. Now bicycle, horse and hiking trails are in places that used to be convenient to hunt in. And the population in the United States has almost tripled since 1940. There is a river about 200 yards from my house where my buddies and I used to play when we were kids. But if you go there now, you are on private property and you can plan on a sheriff's deputy asking you to leave. And you better not have a gun with you. Or you will surely be arrested. I saw this coming about 15 years ago and I figured it was time to diversify my interests. That way I could have an array of things to do in my spare time if something fell to the wayside. Good luck.

Last edited by Jimmy W; 04/01/24 01:18 PM.