Outdoorsmen's Big Bucks Help Economy

[Skunk]

Outdoorsmen's big bucks help economy

By The Denver Post

Posted: 10/11/2009 01:00:00 AM MDT


(Charlie Meyers, The Denver Post )

If ever the signs scattered across Colorado mountain country carried a shout of sincerity, it is this: "Welcome hunters."

Consider the economic statement behind that greeting. During the year 2007, outdoorsmen, both hunters and fishers, spent $1.8 billion in their various pursuits.

That's enough to buy lots of gasoline, food and lodging for the merchants who operate shops in dozens of smaller mountain towns.

These same nimrods spend $56.2 million on various licenses, money the Colorado Division of Wildlife uses to promote projects and habitat that not only benefit hunting and fishing, but a wide variety of nongame animals as well.

We misfired.

Last Wednesday' s hunting special section gave the wrong dates for the third combined deer-elk rifle season. The correct dates are Oct. 31-Nov. 8.

A separate story also inferred that the first hunt segment that began Saturday and runs through Oct. 14 includes specified draw licenses for bull elk only. The segment also includes specified licenses for cow elk as well.

Leftover licenses.

Big-game licenses remain available for the coming season in addition to the regular over-the-counter elk tags, as well as OTC tags for bear and turkey, with caps. To discover availability, contact the Division of Wildlife at 800-244-5613 or online at www.wildlife.state.co.us. Licenses also are available at DOW offices and statewide license agents.