Colorado hunters dilemma

[EddieG54]

As a long time non-resident hunter I have spent a lot of time (and money)in Colorado during the past several years. A few of my hunting buddies have suggested that they may no longer hunt in Colorado to show support for the folks there fighting for the RKBA. I'm not sure how much of an impact this would make and it may only be symbolic but I kind of agree with them. But I have also read post from other hunters, both resident and non resident, who think that the Colorado ban does not affect the hunting rifles they use so less hunters in the state make for better odds in drawing tags and harvesting game. Sorry if this has been covered but was wondering what other gun owners/hunters may be thinking.

 

[ILikeLead]

I hear there are lots of elk in New Mexico!


Actually, I've never hunted colorado, but spend usually about a week there every summer. That's going to change.

I'll go to another state for vacation that better represents my views!!!

 

[AlexanderA]

Consider that such a boycott penalizes the pro-gun people in Colorado (those connected with the hunting industry, etc.). The antigunners could care less. In fact they would prefer that hunters and other gun people stay away. Anyway such boycotts are almost never effective.

 

[Coop45]

. Anyway such boycotts are almost never effective.

I don't know about that, I've be boycotting WalMart for 20 years and look how I've hurt them.

 

[feedthehogs]

Consider that such a boycott penalizes the pro-gun people in Colorado (those connected with the hunting industry, etc.). The antigunners could care less. In fact they would prefer that hunters and other gun people stay away. Anyway such boycotts are almost never effective.

They can be quite effective and have been in the past. Do some research and you'll see what united gun owners can do.

My brother has had a place in Breckenridge for years for winter sking. It went on the market last week.
No one in the family will ever step foot or spend a dime in Col again.

Putting ones money where the mouth is speaks volumes. Everything else is worthless chatter.

 

[sleepyone]

I don't know about that, I've be boycotting WalMart for 20 years and look how I've hurt them.

LMAO! That reminds me of the guy who said "My wife once cut me off for two years, and I didn't even know it."

Walmart is such a behemoth that no boycott is going to have a significant impact or any at all IMHO. Now I am over-generalizing here, but if you think about Walmart's hardcore customer base; the people who rarely, if ever, shop anywhere else, they are only concerned about price and convenience and will NOT be convinced that any cause is worth paying a dime more or driving a mile farther down the road. Think about it. You can get your clothing, electronics, sporting goods, hygiene, household, prescription, banking, eyeglass, hair, nail, automotive, yard, garden, small appliances, home decor, pet, food, arts and crafts, school supplies, on and on and on needs met at Wally World. Why shop anywhere else?!

I know people who do ALL their Christmas shopping at WM. They will ask you what you want for Christmas, and if it is not sold at WM they will get the closest thing that WM carries and call it a day. :banghead:

I also have to agree with AlexanderA that only anti-hunters/gunners will be the real winners if we were to boycott Colorado. It's like-minded people who will feel the boycott such as guides, lodge owners, small mom/pop businesses and any other business tied to the hunting industry.

 

[EddieG54]

The state of Colorado had 77 million dollars in sales of hunting/fishing license in 2012. How much of a voice would antigunners have with Colorado lawmakers if this income was reduced by 50%. And how many other western states would be willing to put that much of their states income at risk? I understand, AlexanderA that boycotts seldom work, but do you stop trying for that reason?

 

[Coltdriver]

Well I am from Colorado and I live in Colorado.

The fight is not over. We have recall petitions going and an amendment to the Constitution in the works.

That said, these politicians need to have it crammed down their throats that they are doing no good and they are doing a lot of harm.

The State makes bank on hunters and there are usually few to no tags left in the better areas. The Western Slope is likely to suffer noticeably from a decline in hunters.

The State made about 77 million in just fees last year. I think there were over 300K out of state licenses sold. You figure that each one of those individuals represents at least another $1000 to come here and hunt and you are talking about a lot of local money. Lots of out of state hunters are spending $5000 in the week they are here.

When hickenlooper signs the mag ban he will be kicking 300 employed Coloradoan's plus their family's to the unemployment line. Plus the down stream suppliers and their family's. All for pure show.

So boycott. I am going to stay and work the political process to see if we can reverse this nonsense. You could help us by donating to Rocky Mountain Gun Owners. All of that money goes right to the fight.

Call hickenlooper and let him know that you are done with Colorado. But do it this week before he signs the legislation.

 

[stubbicatt]

I too am a Coloradoan. I have done my best in notifying my "representatives" that I oppose the magazine ban or any other laws restricting gun owner rights. They have not listened.

I will join in the fight to get a referendum on the ballot for next time around to repeal these misguided laws.

As far as boycotting, I have mixed feelings on that issue. Initially, if you boycott, and fewer tags are sold, then perhaps the deer and elk population will have a chance to grow so that in future years one will be more likely to get a kill. On the other hand, there are many who make their living catering to hunters from out of state, and I can assure you that none of them are in favor of this nonsense legislation either. Those are the people you will hurt directly by boycotting the State.

Choice is yours. If you do decide to boycott, be sure to let the Governor know right away before he signs these laws into effect, so that he will know how his decisions are impacting the state.

As far as I am concerned, he is all washed up as a politician. I will vote for a yellow dog before I ever vote for Hickenlooper again, or any of the politicians who voted for this legislation. These people are idiots, one and all. I will take a personal interest in seeing to it that they never hold elected office ever again, not even as dog catcher.

 

[rondog]

Also a Coloradan here. Our Governor seems to have starry-eyed dreams of a plum job in Washington, so he's kissing up to Dear Leader and will undoubtedly sign every anti-gun bill he's asked to. He obviously doesn't care what The People want, it's all about furthering his political career. We have an uphill fight ahead.

 

[Robert]

Correct me of I am wrong, but I remember reading somewhere that the CDOW is not funded by tax payer money but gets all of their funding from license fees and the like. I want to say I read this one their website as they were very proud of it.

To the best of my memory the CDOW stayed out of the fight, again I could be wrong. So I am not sure what good boycotting the CDOW would do. Now if I lived out of state then yes I'd hunt somewhere else like NM or WY, but I live here in CO. Again this is all based on what I remember reading, and that could be wrong or have since changed.

 

[Art Eatman]

Out-of-state folks oughta call the governor's office and tell the phone gal that the signing will be a money and job loser from your boycott, and that you're not alone in your boycott.

Aside from the non-resident hunting/fishing license thing, consider motel, gasoline, restaurant and the usual "miscellaneous" spending.

 

[X-Rap]

What a statement it would make if 1/3 or more of the usual hunters declined to apply this April? Word gets around in the gov so my advise would be to do mail in aplication for points only and send a letter in the envelope stating the reason for not hunting this year or any further until there is a change in leglislation.
I would say to do the similar for those who won't be coming to the state for other reasons, send along a not so it can't just be blamed on the economy or other such reasons.

 

[788Ham]

Robert,

You are totally correct in the assumption of CDOW getting all of their monies from licenses! THEN the powers that be, come in and snag monies from them for some 1/2 off the wall project, thats why game and fishing has sloughed off to nothing these past few years.

 

[tarosean]

Consider that such a boycott penalizes the pro-gun people in Colorado (those connected with the hunting industry, etc.).

I've hunted there for the last 35yrs.. I will not be putting in this year. I was going fly fishing in June, now I'll stay in NM. They may not miss my money, but I let my voice be known to your elected officials. Time will tell

 

[X-Rap]

To get into a discussion of how the DOW squanders funds would result in quick threadlock but suffice it to say that they are no different than any of the state agencies and could draw a good lesson from a drop in revenues. As to being neutral, that is probably the case and I will give them the benifit of the doubt on that one (doubting which side they would have taken) but their setting on the sidelines during the trapping and bear hunting catastrophy those few years back remains unforgiveable in my mind.

 

[sixgunner455]

My daughter asked to go elk hunting this year, and we applied in our home state. If we don't draw out, we were planning to use Colorado for our backup.

Dunno now.

If that were *my* state's DOW, I'd be ticked off that they said nothing during this process.

eta: doesn't matter now, for us. AZ billed us for elk tags.

 

[splattergun]

I cancelled a planned 2014 elk hunt in CO and let EVERY Colorado legislator know how disappointed I am as a former resident. I also let them know exactly how much money I am going to spend elsewhere, as are both of my hunt partners.
I asked my intended outfitter to also let his legislators know how much money he is losing. Instead, he informed them all that he will be guiding only in WY and UT next year.

 

[Rembrandt]

.....Anyway such boycotts are almost never effective.

Ask Reed Exhibitions how effective boycotts are......they lost millions on the 2013 Eastern Sports & Outdoor show, eventually cancelled when vendors pulled out. Rumor has it Reed has also lost the 2014 Shot Show.

 

[22-rimfire]

Reed misjudged Pennsylvania sportsman as well as their primary exhibitors. They pulled out after Reed informed them of a change that black rifles or magazines could not be displayed or sold at the show. It started as a trickle of exhibitors who left even though they risked lossing the fees they paid, and it ended with a flood of exhibitors canceling. Reed has eventually told the exhibitors that they would refund their fees paid which I suspect is totally because THEY changed the agreement after it was signed. Hence they were liable for at least those fees. I feel for all the hotels, motels, stores, and other retailers that feed off that show... millions down the tube.

 

[ElPasoCounty]

Colorado Resident here...With all the discussion about recalling certain anti-gun representatives and the energy challenging the laws that Hickenlooper signed this week, I don't see how they can get reelected if a reasonable challenger runs against them.

In any case, no heartburn for me if there's less folks in the woods and on the water this year...

1/2 of Texas will show up anyways...just like in previous years...

 

[Patocazador]

As soon as Hickenlooper signed the bill, Magpul Ind. pulled the plug in Colorado. They are transferring ALL of their operations to other 'gun-friendly' states. It means the immediate loss of 200 jobs in Colorado plus the spin-off revenues from those jobs. Magpul said they will make no purchases for parts or equipment from companies located in Colorado.

 

[Art Eatman]

Okay. Let's get back to hunting--somewhere.