Parks

CHARLESTON, W.Veterans administration. -- Individuals who prefer to seafood for catfish in West Virginia's condition parks and forests might soon have the ability to achieve this during the night.

CHARLESTON, W.Veterans administration. -- Individuals who prefer to seafood for catfish in West Virginia's condition parks and forests might soon have the ability to achieve this during the night.

Division of Natural Assets authorities have suggested a regulation change that will make evening fishing legal at nine condition-run ponds and ponds. The modification, if approved, would get into effect Jan. 1, 2015.

Current DNR rules stop evening fishing in condition-run parks and forests.

Underneath the proposal revealed in the Natural Assets Committee's February. 22 meeting, evening fishing would become legal at ponds and ponds in Babcock Condition Park, Coopers Rock Condition Forest, Little Beaver Condition Park, North Bend Condition Park, Tomlinson Run Condition Park, Pipestem Condition Park, Seneca Condition Forest, Watoga Condition Park and also at Rockhouse Lake in Logan County.

"What drove this [proposal] was our 'Catfishing the Parks' fishing program," stated Bret Preston, the DNR's fisheries chief. "Within the last many years, we've been focusing on stocking catchable-sized catfish at selected condition park ponds to inspire youthful individuals to seafood throughout the summer time.

"Because the program began, we have been told by fishermen they can't enter during the night to seafood for individuals catfish. Since evening fishing for catfish is among the most widely used and traditional ways to get it done, we made the decision to check out permitting it."

Preston stated the proposal to lift the evening-fishing prohibit falls easily inside the DNR's goals, such as to boost leisure possibilities for that state's people.

"Within this situation, the chance would be to allow families who're going to individuals parks and forests to have the ability to seafood for catfish within the traditional sense, during the night," he added.

Not every one of the ponds and ponds out there receive catfish tights. Preston stated agency authorities made the decision to include a couple of non-catfish ponds "within the interest of which makes it a far more comprehensive proposal."

Among the ponds out there, Rockhouse Lake in Logan County, isn't situated in a condition park or forest, but it's a lake filled through the DNR. Preston stated the Logan County Commission asked for the 14-acre impoundment be included to their email list.

Prior to the proposal could be adopted, it has to first be placed prior to the public. DNR authorities expect to do that at a number of sectional conferences scheduled for March 17-18 in each one of the state's six game- and seafood-management districts. Individuals who attend the conferences is going to be requested to point whether or not they favor or oppose lifting the evening-fishing prohibit.

Preston stated natural Assets Commission, the seven-guy panel responsible for setting the state's hunting and fishing rules, would go ahead and take public's comments into consideration before voting around the proposal, probably in the commission's midsummer meeting at the end of This summer.

Achieve John McCoy at 304-348-1231 or johnmc...@wvgazette.com.

CHARLESTON, W.Veterans administration. -- Individuals who prefer to seafood for catfish in West Virginia's condition parks and forests might soon have the ability to achieve this during the night.

Division of Natural Assets authorities have suggested a regulation change that will make evening fishing legal at nine condition-run ponds and ponds. The modification, if approved, would get into effect Jan. 1, 2015.

Current DNR rules stop evening fishing in condition-run parks and forests.

Underneath the proposal revealed in the Natural Assets Committee's February. 22 meeting, evening fishing would become legal at ponds and ponds in Babcock Condition Park, Coopers Rock Condition Forest, Little Beaver Condition Park, North Bend Condition Park, Tomlinson Run Condition Park, Pipestem Condition Park, Seneca Condition Forest, Watoga Condition Park and also at Rockhouse Lake in Logan County.

"What drove this [proposal] was our 'Catfishing the Parks' fishing program," stated Bret Preston, the DNR's fisheries chief. "Within the last many years, we've been focusing on stocking catchable-sized catfish at selected condition park ponds to inspire youthful individuals to seafood throughout the summer time.

"Because the program began, we have been told by fishermen they can't enter during the night to seafood for individuals catfish. Since evening fishing for catfish is among the most widely used and traditional ways to get it done, we made the decision to check out permitting it."

Preston stated the proposal to lift the evening-fishing prohibit falls easily inside the DNR's goals, such as to boost leisure possibilities for that state's people.

"Within this situation, the chance would be to allow families who're going to individuals parks and forests to have the ability to seafood for catfish within the traditional sense, during the night," he added.

Not every one of the ponds and ponds out there receive catfish tights. Preston stated agency authorities made the decision to include a couple of non-catfish ponds "within the interest of which makes it a far more comprehensive proposal."

Among the ponds out there, Rockhouse Lake in Logan County, isn't situated in a condition park or forest, but it's a lake filled through the DNR. Preston stated the Logan County Commission asked for the 14-acre impoundment be included to their email list.

Prior to the proposal could be adopted, it has to first be placed prior to the public. DNR authorities expect to do that at a number of sectional conferences scheduled for March 17-18 in each one of the state's six game- and seafood-management districts. Individuals who attend the conferences is going to be requested to point whether or not they favor or oppose lifting the evening-fishing prohibit.

Preston stated natural Assets Commission, the seven-guy panel responsible for setting the state's hunting and fishing rules, would go ahead and take public's comments into consideration before voting around the proposal, probably in the commission's midsummer meeting at the end of This summer.

Achieve John McCoy at 304-348-1231 or johnmc...@wvgazette.com.

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Rifle Gap and Harvey Gap State Parks’ Fall Boat Inspection Hours

RIFLE, CO. – Rifle Gap and Harvey Gap State Parks will change the boat inspection hours on Saturday, Oct. 1 to coincide with the shorter daylight hours. At Harvey Gap, the inspection hours will be from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., seven days a week. Rifle Gap will have inspectors available from 7 a.m. until 6 p.m., seven days a week.
The boat inspections, which check for aquatic nuisance species (ANS) including quagga mussels and zebra mussels, are required to protect Colorado rivers and watersheds from the spread of ANS.
The boat ramps at both locations will close to all trailered watercraft starting Nov. 1 through March 31, 2012. Hand launch watercraft will be able to operate on both lakes until ice forms.
For additional information, please check “Conditions” section of the Rifle Gap and Harvey Gap website at www.parks.state.co.us
Colorado Parks and Wildlife gets everyone outdoors! Attracting more than 12 million visitors per year, Colorado's 42 State Parks are a vital cornerstone of Colorado's economy and quality of life. Colorado State Parks encompass 224,447 land and water acres, offering some of the best outdoor recreation destinations in the state. Colorado Parks and Wildlife is a leader in providing opportunities for outdoor recreation, protecting the state’s favorite landscapes, teaching generations about nature and partnering with communities. Colorado State Parks also manage more than 4,300 campsites, and 63 cabins and yurts. For more information on Colorado State Parks or to purchase an annual pass online, visit www.parks.state.co.us.

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PARKS AND WILDLIFE BOARD TO DISCUSS MERGER

DENVER - The inaugural meeting of the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Board will feature the election of officers for the board that will set regulations and policies for the new Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife as well as a two-hour discussion about the merger of the former Colorado Division of Wildlife and Colorado State Parks.

The two-day meeting will be held July 7 and July 8 at the Hunter Education Building, located at the Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife's campus at 6060 North Broadway.

During the Board's afternoon session on Thursday, members will discuss a number of issues related to the function of the new, 14-member body, including the composition of the board, the process for input by the public and stakeholders, interaction with the transition team that is guiding the merger and other items.

Following election of officers and the establishment of the 2011 meeting schedule in the morning, the board will shift its attention to several wildlife regulations. The Board is scheduled to take final action on season regulations for small game, including the elimination of the additional permit required to hunt Greater prairie-chicken, expansion of the prairie-chicken hunting season on the eastern plains, and modification of units open to Greater sage-grouse hunting in western Colorado.

Also on the agenda is final action on migratory game bird regulations, including the establishment of hunt dates for 2011-2012 and designating waterfowl hunting zones for 2011 to 2015. In addition, the board is scheduled to vote in improving waterfowl hunting access at James M. Robb Colorado River State Park and Highline Lake State Park and increasing the bag limit on dark geese in the Pacific flyway portion of Colorado.

The Board will also consider a citizen petition requesting that archery be allowed as a manner of take for kokanee salmon during the snagging season in areas open for snagging. Members will also receive a briefing on the start of the annual review of fishing regulations.

In other matters, an update on the future of Bonny Reservoir State Park will be presented by John Geerdes, the southeast regional manager for parks and Dan Prenzlow, the southeast regional manager for wildlife. Bonny Reservoir is scheduled to be drained this fall to satisfy Colorado's obligations to deliver water to Kansas and Nebraska under the Republican River Compact.

Tom Morrissey, the state trails program manager, will provide an update on the OHV Enforcement Pilot Program run by the former Colorado State Parks.

Friday's meeting will be devoted to providing orientation to the members of the former Wildlife Commission and the former Parks Board about the operations of the agency, including the histories of Colorado State Parks and the Division of Wildlife, their missions, legal and statutory authorities, the regulatory process, strategic plans, field operations and other subjects.

The Parks and Wildlife Board will meet monthly and travel to communities around the state to facilitate public participation in its processes. The meeting schedule for the remainder of 2011 will be published after the meeting. The complete agenda for the July Parks and Wildlife Board's meeting can be found on the Wildlife Commission web page at: http://wildlife.state.co.us/WildlifeCommission/Archives/2011/July7-82011.htm.

Members of the public who are unable to attend Board meetings or workshops can listen to the proceedings through a link on the Division of Wildlife website. This opportunity is provided to keep constituents better informed about the development of regulations by the Board and how they are working with Parks and Wildlife staff to manage parks, wildlife and outdoor recreation programs administered by the agency.

To access the live audio feed during the meeting, click on the "listen to live audio" link at the bottom of the Board webpage at: http://wildlife.state.co.us/WildlifeCommission/

The Colorado Parks and Wildlife Board is a 14-member board appointed by the governor that sets policies and regulations for the Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife.

For more information about Division of Wildlife go to: http://wildlife.state.co.us.

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