Save Gunnison Wildlife

       Enduring winters that most folks would consider unbearable is something that the Gunnison basin has become accustomed to. Known as the “ice box”, Gunnison is consistently labeled as the coldest place in the nation, bearing temperatures up to -50F throughout the winter. This year is special. This year is different. Some are rejoicing in the bountiful flurries of snow, but for others the ominous clouds bring a terrible reality. With 94” of snow falling in the high-country the past 7 days, the skiing has been unbelievable, but the wildlife are brutally suffering.

      9 Years ago, the basin was comparably snow-struck. The valley suffered a terrible decline in overall deer and elk numbers, despite the valiant efforts by volunteers and the Colorado Parks and Wildlife to keep them fed throughout the long winter. The people of the valley are speaking up and volunteering, but there is no program in place to volunteer for. The public is pushing to bring back the feeding program we used in ‘07-‘08, but the CPW is denying requests for two reasons; congregation of deer can spread diseases, and there are not enough funds available. There are too many compassionate people in the state of Colorado to sit here and watch our wildlife starve to death.  There is simply not enough vegetation exposed for them to sustain. They are burning more calories per day, keeping warm, foraging and digging for food, than they are in taking; by definition, starving to death.


       The wildlife to do not owe us anything; they do not owe us a living; we owe them the right to live and prosper. In Colorado, regardless if they’re on private and public lands, wildlife are still considered public property. But we do not have the right to feed without CPW’s permission. Without the funds available, there is no way to convince them otherwise, unless we raise the funds ourselves, so that is what we are going to do. There are hundreds of volunteers standing by, ready to save our wildlife at all costs, we just need the help of Colorado’s compassionate residents. Any donation helps as time is of the essence; we need to start this process immediately. Thank you for your contribution.