I. OUTDOOR RECREATION AND WILDLIFE

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1 I. OUTDOOR RECREATION AND WILDLIFE 1. Update on National Trends (Table I-1) Table I-1 contains data from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife s 2011 National Survey Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation, which give a rough guide to trends in these activities, which are generally more common than skiing and other types outdoor recreation in our region. Comparing sportspersons to wildlife-watchers, we see the number wildlife recreationists increased nationally from over 66.1 million in 2001 to 71.8 million in 2011 an increase nine percent. Most these persons stayed within one mile their home, and a third them sought their viewing away from home. The sportspersons group at 37.4 million, dropped by a percent thanks largely to a decline in anglers. Angling expenditures $41.8 billion in 2011 reflected an eight-percent decline over 10 years, as opposed to a fivepercent hike in expenditures for hunters. The only spending increase for anglers came in trip-related expenses, which rose by 17 percent. For hunters, the largest increase was trip-related (56 percent). For wildlife watching, total expenditures increased 12 percent to $55 billion, with trip-related expenses showing the largest increase (66 percent). The other marked a 22-percent increase, including items such as licenses, stamps, and permits. But hunting, long a mainstay for regional tourism, showed the biggest expenditure hike nationally, climbing by 27 percent from 2001 to $55 billion. Wildlife watching plateaued from 2006 to 2011 but its related expenditures still grew by 12 percent over the decade. 2. Outdoor Recreation Detail (Table I-2) Challenged to find updated information at a county level, we include results from the Outdoor Recreation Participation, Topline Report 2012, in Table I-2, showing numbers and percentage population six years or older engaged in a wider range outdoor activities. The study showed increased participation rates in mountain biking, RV camping, bow and rifle hunting, and trail running. A host winter sports, including four types skiing and snowshoeing showed increases. While the rate participation in fishing declined during the period the study from 2009 through 2011, the sport remained the most popular among adults over the age 25 with 31.2 million participants. For ages six through 24 running and bicycling were the two most popular with 20.9 million and 17.5 million participants, respectively. Based on our observations, the following would have medium to heavy use in the Valley: driving f-road; primitive area camping; coldwater fishing; horseback riding all types; downhill skiing; big game hunting; horseback riding on trails; snowmobiling; and waterfowl hunting. The following would have light to low use: viewing wildflowers; viewing and photographing animals; day hiking; wilderness and primitive area visitation; mountain biking; archaeological sites; backpacking on foot; and cross-country skiing. Birdwatching is limited mostly to the crane migrations, but is beginning to gather more interest in other seasons. 3. Watchable Wildlife in Colorado (Table I-3) Table I-3 shows the impact watchable wildlife activities estimated at $1.4 billion in Colorado. The state s watchable wildlife impacts exceed hunting by $970 million and fishing by $783 million. Trip related expenses I-1

2 made up the biggest expense for wildlife watchers, totaling $722 million in Estimates on trip expenditures in Colorado show the highest portion spent on food and lodging, which totaled $353 million in table I Big Game Animals and Hunting (Tables I-4A 4C) Table I-4 gives some idea the big game populations in various Division Wildlife management units in the Valley. Elk and deer populations are estimated at 31,470 and 15,090, respectively. The elk herd in the Culebra Range, which ranges between Costilla, Huerfano and Las Animas counties, is the largest. Among the valley s deer herds, the biggest can be found in game units 80 and 82, which take in parts Rio Grande and Conejos counties. Since 2008, elk populations declined from 44,710 in 2008 to 31,470 in During the same span deer declined from 16,710 to 15,090. Elk drew the largest number hunters to the valley with their yearly totals sitting between 15,000 and 17,000. Game unit 81, which covers almost all Conejos County, had the most hunters. Game management unit 682 is made up almost entirely private land in the north end the Valley and draws relatively few elk hunters, but it had highest success rates any in the region. Game management unit 83 in Costilla County had the biggest deer harvest, as hunters took 1,079 animals between 2008 and in that unit also had the highest success rates, ranging from 81 percent in 2009 to 90 percent in Fishing Compared with many areas the State, the Valley enjoys an extensive number public fishing areas with moderate summer use and light use in the spring and fall. Trout species include Rainbow, Snake River and Yellowstone Cutthroat, Brown, and Brook. Reservoir water priority is for agriculture, but in normal water years they produce many fish in the inch range and occasional larger fish. Gold Medal waters are provided near South Fork, and a few waters are managed for quality fishing by fly or lure only, special limit, and size restrictions. Sanchez Reservoir is the Valley s largest and fers Northern Pike and limited Walleye and Yellow Perch fishing. Some ponds on the Blanca Wetlands have Largemouth Black Bass and Bluegill, and the Rio Grande has large pike in normal years. 6. Birds An estimated 20,000 greater sandhill cranes migrate through the Valley in spring and fall to and from breeding grounds in southeast Idaho and wintering grounds at the Bosque del Apache NWR in Socorro, New Mexico. The greatest concentrations are normally found at the Monte Vista NWR, and the city sponsors a crane festival in March. Habitats vary greatly between the mountains, foothills, and Valley floor, and a surprising number microenvironments occur in pockets and corners the Valley supported by a water source. Species found around the rivers, lakes, wetlands, cities, and farmed lands vary greatly from those in the dry brush. I-2

3 A fair number passerine migrants also travel the path the Rio Grande, which ten brings unusual species. About 220 species are found here in four seasons, with perhaps as many as unusual birds over a number years. While specific information on outdoor recreation trends specific to our region is rare, we have noticed some national data indicating that birding activity is not as popular for growing as fast as it was in the early part the 2000 decade. In Colorado, however, we are observing an increase in interest and activity as witnessed on the COBIRDS reports. A greater number birders are also engaging in more trips and associated spending, with a special interest in hard-to-find mountain species. Colorado Parks and Wildlife and three birding organizations joined to implement the Colorado Birding Trail, which links public and private sites into a network through a designated driving route. Four trails are identified in the Valley: The Blanca Trail takes in the valley floor with desert shrub, flooded fields, playa lakes, and reedbeds. It is home to sage and Brewer s sparrows, jackrabbits, and wildflowers. The wetland areas provide a natural habitat stilts, avocets, ibises, and ducks. The Sandhill Crane Trail finds thousands sandhill cranes flocking to the Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge in the spring, as well as other locations in the Valley. Often visible on the trail s route are eagles, golden and bald. The Silver Thread Trail includes the high country with some the region s most spectacular mountain scenery. It is home to thrushes, finches, and five species woodpeckers. On the Wolf Creek Trail, subalpine spruce forests stretch for miles filled with swifts and swallows, pine grosbeaks and boreal owls. The trails can be found at 7. Skiing (Table I-5) Wolf Creek Ski Area is the valley s lone ski area. It enjoyed a record season in the winter with 227,306 skier visits. The record year was aided by an October snowstorm that allowed for the earliest opening in the history the state. The ski area had an annual visitation rate 190,380 skiers since 1997 and an annual growth rate in visits 4 percent, according to its master plan submitted to the U.S. Forest Service. The ski area has proposed a terrain expansion 1,000 acres and a series facilities expansions that could take over a decade to implement should it earn approvals from the San Juan and Rio Grande national forests. Those projects include the replacement one ski lift, the construction five others and a new guest services facility near the ski area s summit, among other improvements. Back country skiing is also on the rise, according to the 2012 Top Line Report. Forms skiing other than alpine, including Cross-country, freestyle and telemarking all saw their participation rates climb by double digits (Table I-2). While local participation data is not available, the demand for backcountry skiing is enough to support at least one guiding business San Juan Snowcat in Creede. I-3

4 8. Trails A coalition government ficials and community members began meeting in 2011 to identify, inventory and produce a comprehensive regional trail system. In 2012, Great Outdoors Colorado awarded a grant for the development the San Luis Valley Trails and Outdoor Recreation Master Plan, which is expected to be completed spring The group will also seek funding to develop a map and to improve trail and recreation activities around the Valley. To learn more about San Luis Valley Great Outdoors visit I-4

5 Map I-1 Elk Winter Habitat Source: San Luis Valley GIS/GPS Authority I-5

6 Map I-2 Deer Winter Habitat Source: San Luis Valley GIS/GPS Authority I-6

7 Map I-3 Pronghorn Winter Habitat Source: San Luis Valley GIS/GPS Authority I-7

8 Map I-4 Game Management Units Source: San Luis Valley GIS/GPS Authority I-8

9 Map I-5 Fishing Sites Source: San Luis Valley GIS/GPS Authority I-9

10 Table I-1 National Trends in Fishing, Hunting & Wildlife-Associated Recreation, 2011 (Anglers & hunters 16 years old and older.) % change Activity Expenditures (thousands) Participants Expenditures (thousands) Participants Expenditures (thousands) Participants Expenditures Participants Fishing $45,427,422 34,067 $47,052,459 29,952 $41,769,129 33,112-8% -3% Trip-Related $18,684,876 $20,023,987 $21,789,465 17% Equipment $21,626,728 $21,008,254 $15,506,433-28% Other $5,115,817 $6,020,218 $4,473,231-13% Hunting $26,276,913 13,034 $25,640,335 12,510 $33,260,066 13,674 27% 5% Trip-Related $6,696,252 $7,480,048 $10,421,189 56% Equipment $13,209,829 $12,019,281 $13,972,490 6% Other $6,370,831 $6,141,006 $8,866,389 39% Wildlife Watching $48,974,477 66,105 $51,133,555 71,132 $54,961,547 71,776 12% 9% Trip-Related $10,406,261 $14,420,170 $17,274,675 66% Equipment $30,010,533 $25,954,939 $27,222,196-9% Other $8,557,685 $10,758,446 $10,464,677 22% All Activities* $89,212,543 37,805 $85,848,030 33,916 $89,299,767 37,397 0% -1% *Does not add to total because multiple responses and non-responses. Source: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, 2011 National Survey Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation, National Overview, August I-10

11 Table I-2 National Participation in Outdoor Activities, s in thousands Activity (Ages 6 years old and older) Source: The Outdoor Foundation, Outdoor Recreation Participation, Topline Report *Percent population for respective age group. % Change Backpacking overnight more than ¼ mile from home/vehicle 7,647 8,349 7, Bicycling Mountain/Non-paved 7,142 7,161 6, Bicycling Road/Paved 40,140 39,320 40, Birdwatching 13,294 13,339 12, Camping RV 17,436 15,865 16, Camping within ¼ mile home/vehicle 34,338 30,996 32, Canoeing 10,058 10,553 9, Climbing Traditional/Ice/Mountaineering 1,835 2,198 1, Fishing Fly 5,568 5,478 5, Fishing Freshwater 40,961 38,860 39, Hiking Day 332,572 32,496 34, Hunting Bow 4,226 3,908 4, Hunting Rifle 11,114 10,150 10, Hunting Shotgun 8,490 8,062 8, Rafting 4,318 4,460 3, Running/Jogging 43,892 49,408 50, Skateboarding 735 6,808 5, Skiing Alpine/Downhill 10,919 11,504 10, Skiing Cross-country 4,157 4,530 4, Skiing Freestyle 2,950 3,647 3, Snowboarding 7,421 8,196 7, Snowshoeing 3,431 3,823 4, Telemarking 1,482 1,821 2, Trail Running 4,833 5,136 5, Wildlife Viewing 21,291 21,025 21, Favorite Outdoor Activities by Participation Rate Activity Participation Rate* Adults 25 years + Percent 1. Fishing All types 15.1% 31.2 million 2. Running/Jogging/Trail Running 14.8% 30.6 million 3. Camping All types 12.7% 26.1 million 4. Bicycling All types 12.4% 25.5 million 5. Hiking 11.8% 24.2 million Youth 6 years to 24 years 1. Running/Jogging/Trail Running 26.2% 20.9 million 2. Bicycling All types 21.9% 17.5 million 3. Camping All types 20.6% 16.4 million 4. Fishing All types 18.8% 15 million 5. Hiking 12.9% 10.3 million I-11

12 Activity *Does not add to total for all participants because multiple responses and non-responses. ** Expenditures for Other are included in Equipment for years 2001 and Sources: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, 2011 National Survey Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation, State Overview, September U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, 2006 National Survey Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation - Colorado. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, 2001 National Survey Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation - Colorado. Table I-3 Colorado Participation in Fishing, Hunting & Wildlife-Associated Recreation, 2011 (Participants 16 years old and older.) Figures in thousands % change Expenditures Participants* Expenditures Participants* Expenditures Participants* Expenditures Participants* Fishing $645, $542, $648, % -16% Trip-Related $305,716 $300,324 $403,569 Equipment $340,175 $242,613 $213,528 Other N/A** N/A** $31,466 Hunting $382, $444, $460, % -8% Trip-Related $185,738 $288,325 $220,754 Equipment $196,861 $155,736 $185,179 Other N/A** N/A** $54,981 Wildlife Watching $624,402 1,552 $1,387,621 1,819 $1,432,084 1, % 15% Trip-Related $416,734 $537,427 $615,636 Equipment $207,668 $850,193 $722,249 Other N/A** N/A** $94,199 All Activities* $1,652,892 2,138 $2,374,619 2,243 $2,984,156 2,315 81% 8% I-12

13 Table I-4A Big Game Harvests, Elk Unit Total , , , , , , Total 2,943 3,083 2,625 2,985 2,384 14,020 Deer Unit Total , Total 1,098 1,185 1,233 1,223 1,286 6,025 Pronghorn Unit Total Total Source: Colorado Division Parks and Wildlife Web site. Accessed Nov I-13

14 Table I-4B Big Game Population, Elk Unit ,150 5,060 4,910 4,900 68, 681 4,590 4,250 4,030 3,850 80, 81 7,800 6,850 7,260 7,330 83, 85, 851, 1401* 21,430 19,280 16,140 10,630 76, 79 5,440 4,920 4,480 4, , Total 44,710 40,660 37,120 31,470 *Game Units 85, 851 and 140 lie in Huerfano in Las Animas counties. Deer Unit , 681, 682 4,170 3,940 4,260 3, ,500 2,220 1,890 1,590 80, 81 5,410 5,170 4,430 5,800 76, 79, 791 2,640 2,420 2,320 2, ,990 1,680 1,590 1,790 Total 16,710 15,430 14,490 15,090 Pronghorn Unit ,060 2,400 2,280 2, ,120 2,160 1,990 2,010 Total 4,180 4,560 4,270 4,430 Note: Data Analysis Unit 14 includes Game Management Units 681, 68, 79, 791, 682, 82 and corresponds roughly to the north end the San Luis Valley. Unit 20 includes Game Management Units 80, 81, and 83 and sits in the south end the Valley. I-14

15 Unit 68 2, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Total 16, % 16, % 16, % 15, % 15, % Unit Total % % % % % Table I-4C Hunter Elk Deer Pronghorn Unit Total % % % % % Please Note: Hunter success percentage is calculated by dividing the harvest totals for each species in Table I-4A by the number hunter in a unit in a given year. Source: Colorado Division Parks and Wildlife website, "Big Game Statistics." Accessed Nov I-15

16 Table I-5 Wolf Creek Ski Area Year Skier Visits Annual Growth Rate , % ,517-9% ,602 11% ,022-3% ,306 18% Average 199,112 6% Source: Wolf Creek Ski Area Master Development Plan, accessed Nov on Rio Grande National Forest web site. I-16