Elk hunters from across the land are expected to head into the mountains today for the opening day of rifle season in Colorado.
And with a crumbling international economy, local business owners might really mean it this fall when they hang signs saying “Welcome Hunters.”
Hunters taking to the mountains between September and mid-November are expected to spend about $4 million in Pitkin County this year on gas, groceries, liquor, camping gear, ammunition, hunting licenses and other items.
Much of that $4 million is spent again locally and ultimately contributes $8 million to the county economy, according to a recently completed economic impact study commissioned by the Colorado Department of Wildlife.
Direct expenditures on hunting include such services as paid hunting guides. A secondary expenditure is the money the hunting guide spends at the grocery store after being paid.
Overall, hunting, fishing and wildlife-watching activities account for $1.8 billion in direct and secondary expenditures in Colorado, according to the DOW study prepared by BBC Consulting of Denver.
Of that total, hunting alone produces $502 million in total statewide economic expenditures.
The DOW estimates there were 1.6 million big-game hunter “activity” days in Colorado last year. But suddenly, as with other expensive travel-related activities, there is a question about whether hunters from out of state will still come to Colorado in spite of the current economic downturn.
Nearly 20 percent of hunter days in Colorado are attributed to out-of-state hunters.
“We’re anxiously watching to see what happens,” said Randy Hampton, a public information officer with the DOW. “But we do know that many of the non-residents plan this as their big trip of the year. And gas prices are down a little.”
This weekend is the first of four seasons for hunting elk and deer with rifles. The second season, which starts Nov. 18 and lasts nine days, is the most popular, especially with out-of-state residents.
“A lot of hunters hunt because it may be the one time of year they get together with their friends and families,” Hampton said.
He added that it is not unusual to hear a hunter say he hunts because “I can get my 16-year-old out in a place where he can’t text message and doesn’t have cell phone service and he has to hang out with dad for four days.”
Zach Ornitz/Aspen Daily NewsFrom left: Larry Kahle, of Crete, Neb.; John Stajduhar and his son, Matt Stajduhar, both of Fruita, Colo.; and Mike Heineman, of Brooklyn Park, Minn., pass time at the Stajduhar Ranches hunting camp on Independence Pass. The Stajduhar family has run a hunting outfit throughout the Elk Mountains and into Wyoming for more than 30 years. Elk rifle hunting season begins today.
Colorado residents spend approximately $106 per day during their elk and deer hunts, while residents from other states spend approximately $216 per day.
Non-residents are more likely, for example, to pay for the services of an outfitter guide for several days, which can range from about $500 to $17,000 for a guided hunt on a sprawling private ranch.
Out-of-state residents also pay more for their hunting licenses. A bull elk license for an-out-state resident is $526. An in-state license is $46.
The $8 million economic impact from hunting in Pitkin County is smaller than in neighboring Eagle, Garfield and Gunnison counties.
Eagle County realizes about $29 million in direct and indirect spending from hunting, while Garfield County sees $25 million and Gunnison $20 million.
Gunnison County also benefits from 615 jobs produced by hunting and fishing, the highest number of any county in the state.
Part of the reason there are fewer elk hunters in Pitkin County is there are fewer elk, there are a lot of wilderness areas where motorized access is prohibited, and there are fewer Forest Service roads that provide easy access to camping spots and good elk habitat.
The DOW has issued 2,300 elk licenses so far this year for animals in the Avalanche Creek herd, which clusters in areas between Mount Sopris and McClure Pass.
Another 4,800 elk licenses have been issued for the Fryingpan herd, which lives in the area to the northeast of the Fryingpan River and to the south of Interstate 70.
By contrast, the largest migratory elk herd in North America — the White River herd — is in upper Garfield and lower Rio Blanco counties. The DOW has issued 28,000 elk licenses there this year.
“That’s where the elk are,” said Hampton.
Elk hunting is the single biggest component of the hunting economy, which also includes deer, moose, bear, mountain lion, turkey and small game hunts. Elk hunting brings in an estimated $173 million in direct expenditures to the state.
But hunting in Colorado is still small game compared to fishing, which brings in $725 million in direct expenditures to the state.
And fishing also has a larger economic impact than hunting on Pitkin County, as it brings in $15.7 million in both direct and indirect expenditures, nearly twice that produced by hunting.
Besides, for the dedicated Pitkin County angler, it is always fishing season.
bgs@aspendailynews.com
