Region wildlife management faring rather well under federal cutbacks

Curious as to whether or not local wildlife management was being affected by federal cuts in personnel and funding for services directed to wildlife management, the Tribune visited with Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) officer Justin Krall. The voice for wildlife in Custer County and parts of Huerfano County, scheduling an interview with Krall was not a simple task; he is most often in the field for matters like census taking, or on a call to a Valley resident with bear issues or running down a mountain lion sighting.

Krall is the sole operative for a rather complex area of CPW responsibility; he does have office support from the CPW home base office in Pueblo, but in the field, he is on his own.

And there’s the rub. We cut to the chase immediately in our time together. It is not the wildlife who suffer directly from the cascade of mandates out of Washington, it is Krall himself. “In my eighteen years in this position,” he said, “I’ve always relied on collaboration with, and the experience of, the local Forest Service staff. With USDA cutbacks and personnel opting for forced early retirement, that is no more. Those thirty-plus years of wisdom and knowledge will never be replaced, and our entire community will eventually feel the consequences of that loss.”

“Community” was a key dynamic in Krall’s conversation with us. He has a keen sense of the lived community of wildlife and humans together, sharing the same land. Although the interface of humans and critters is often problematic, Krall is also very appreciative of the community of care here in the Valley. He cited the volunteer trail maintenance tended to by Trails for All, and we thought of the emerging Wet Mountain Valley Outdoors organization that has grown out of Trails for All. Their mission includes community engagement with forest health, watershed preservation, long-term sustainability and exceptional outdoor recreation—all within Krall’s CPW bailiwick.

As for the area’s wildlife, Krall started his report with Pronghorn; he had recently completed the local antelope assessment, and notes that the Valley herds “look decent.” On the eastern plains however, the count is lower; there Pronghorn are showing the effects of drought.

We moved on to deer; the Terrestrial Biologist has been rewriting the deer management planning because “our objective [in the current plan] was so high, we’d never reach it.” Deer are the most commonly sighted wildlife in the area, but in the case of urban deer, that sighting is accompanied by complex issues. Now in their third or fourth generations, the town deer, while a pleasant view leisurely ambling across Main Street, only know the towns as their habitat. Some unwitting residents insist on feeding them, even while the deer munch down their neighbors vegetable and flower gardens. A good number of vehicular accidents involve hitting deer, both in the towns and on state and county roads. Krall has a common sense directive for avoiding those collisions: “Slow down!” He sadly recounted instances of putting down or disposing of road maimed or killed animals. Nothing haunts him more than having to put down the animals he is charged with protecting and monitoring; an especially tough experience recently was with a spotted fawn. “It’s hard,” he said.

Bears are “busier” this time of year, Krall noted; they are on the edge of preparing for winter, and are seeking fat and protein for their hibernation. He cited three major sources of troublesome human/bear interaction, and their mitigations. In order: birdfeeders (“Pull ‘em in!”), chickens (“Electric fencing works!”), and trash (“Get a bear bar for your trash containers!”). The good news: the acorn crop looks good, and bears will gravitate to their natural source of food.

When we asked if any of the bears were collared for tracking, as are some of the urban deer, Krall said no, but some mountain lions are. Behavior, patterns, and range of habitat can be determined from study of the data gathered.

Elk are prospering in the Valley “almost too much.” Krall reported. They are particularly thriving in the south Valley, where he has censused five groups of about 80 to 100 per herd. With their abundance though, comes crop damage for ranchers and landowners. (We recounted how an early morning sight in the north Valley, where we live, is of elk quietly browsing with the cattle in the green meadows surrounding us.) CPW provides ranchers experiencing crop damage an opportunity to receive a tag from August 15 into January 2026 allowing them to harvest elk on their property.

Moving on to bighorn sheep, Krall noted two recent vehicular collisions roadside on Hardscrabble Pass. Again he lamented his sorrow in having to put down the wildlife he is charged to protect and monitor.

“Human development and advance is pushing the challenges of wildlife management,” he stated. “How many critters can the land support, as we occupy more and more of it? The number historically can’t be sustained. And winter range is critical for them.” CPW leans into the future however, with intent and purpose. Many opportunities exist for community members to assist CPW. For example, following the links at https://engage.cpw.org–Current and Ongoing Engagement Opportunities/Big Game Management and Hunting/West of I-25 Deer Data Analysis Units Herd Management Plan–brings Custer County residents to a comment box for CPW’s planning consideration. Wet Mountain D-34 Mule Deer Herd Game Management Units 69, 84, 86, 691, and 861 are within Krall’s responsibilities, and he encourages residents to share ideas and comments there. Along the way of that online exploration, visitors will note several other opportunities to comment on or make suggestions for CPW efforts in matters from beaver control to fish populations.

In the meantime, in addition to browsing the information-rich CPW website, give Justin Krall a break from his large and growing field duties by giving him a call at 719-371-2240 and sharing thoughts and concerns. He will welcome your call. He knows you are a significant part of the community that shares life and living here with wildlife, whether they harry you or please you!

– W.A. Ewing