Wildlife (and commission) for all

Re: “Sportsmen lose a champion on CPW commission,” March 20 letter to the editor

The recent dust-up around appointments to the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission revealed some very disappointing attitudes on the part of legislators on the Senate Ag Committee. In objecting to the appointment of Gary Skiba, Jessica Beaulieu, and Jack Murphy to the commission, Parks and Wildlife was referred to as a “hook and bullet” organization. That phrase, that Parks and Wildlife caters only to anglers and hunters, is out of date.

Only about 5% of the public hunts anymore; anglers are more numerous, but the fiscal contribution of both pales in comparison to the monies spent on wildlife watching. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife 2022 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-associated Recreation states that hunters spent $45.2 billion, anglers $99.4 billion, and wildlife watchers a whopping $250.2 billion on wildlife-related recreation. Ninety-six million people identified themselves as bird-watchers, while only 14.4 million hunted. Statistics for Colorado are similar in scope, and the commission needs to represent these people as well. I do not mean to belittle hunters and anglers; they have contributed substantially to wildlife conservation. But they are not alone in their interest and concern for our wildlife. The North American Model of Wildlife Management, cited by several legislators, states that wildlife belongs to everyone, not just the few.

I wonder if our legislators have read this statement. We need funding that reflects the larger public interest. Gary Skiba’s resignation from the commission deprives that body of someone with extensive experience in wildlife conservation and management. It is a serious loss, not just to hunters and anglers, but to all Coloradans.

— Polly Reetz, Denver