2018-2019 Implementation

Ron Stewart Preserve at Rabbit Mountain will be closed to the public Monday through Wednesday from Sept. 17 through Jan. 31 for elk management through limited hunting.

Three hunters will be granted a one-week access pass to hunt on open space each week during the season. Hunters can take advantage of the park visitor closure to hunt on the Ron Stewart Preserve at Rabbit Mountain on only the closed days, Monday through Wednesday. However, they may hunt the other areas (Indian Mountain and the Cushman Property) on any of the seven days of their access week. All hunters have passed a shooting proficiency test and attended an orientation.

If all three hunters are successful early in the week, the park will be reopened the following day.

There will be no hunters Dec. 20-30 and the park will be open those days.

This hunting program is solely and specifically permitted as a resource management tool. There is no cost to the hunter beyond the existing Colorado Parks and Wildlife license system and Boulder County does not receive any additional revenue. Recreational hunting at Ron Stewart Preserve at Rabbit Mountain or any other open space property is strictly prohibited.

Updates (as of 11/19)

• 20 of 30 hunters have had successful harvests.
• The herd has segregated into two groups; one predominantly using Indian Mountain and the other using Rabbit Mountain and the agricultural fields to the northeast.
• First coordinated ground count is scheduled for Nov. 30.

Management Plan

On Aug. 22, 2017, the Boulder County Commissioners approved the Ron Stewart Preserve at Rabbit Mountain Elk and Vegetation Management Plan. The plan outlines strategies to manage a sustainable elk population on Ron Stewart Preserve and surrounding areas through adaptive management. While the plan does allow limited, controlled hunting of the Rabbit Mountain elk herd as a management tool, it does NOT allow recreational hunting on this or any other open space properties.

• Ron Stewart Preserve at Rabbit Mountain Elk and Vegetation Management Plan

Background

The Rabbit Mountain elk population has grown from 25 to 350 in the last 10 years. The elk have learned to avoid hunters by not migrating. The herd stays on or around Ron Stewart Preserve at Rabbit Mountain year-round and raids neighboring agricultural fields at night, then returns to the safety of the preserve during the day.

The elk herd’s rapid expansion is causing extensive damage to the highly diverse native plants and wildlife habitat of Ron Stewart Preserve. According to the Colorado Natural Heritage Program, Rabbit Mountain is rated B1: Outstanding Biodiversity Significance, which means the plant and wildlife diversity is globally rare and irreplaceable. In addition, the elk have caused substantial damage to neighboring residential fences, landscaping, and agricultural crops.

After careful consideration of many options, and in consultation with Colorado Parks & Wildlife, Boulder County Parks & Open Space staff believes it is imperative to re-establish seasonal migration in this elk herd by allowing limited and controlled public hunting on Ron Stewart Preserve.

Plan Goal & Objectives

Goal:
Manage a sustainable elk population on Ron Stewart Preserve and surrounding areas through adaptive management.

Objectives:

1. Re-establish seasonal migration patterns where the elk migrate to higher elevation summer range for three to five months each year and do not concentrate year-round on Ron Stewart Preserve.
2. Reduce impacts to grassland sites, shrub stands, and forested areas in the high-use areas of Ron Stewart Preserve. Curtail any expansion of high-use areas from the current core area.
3. Maintain an elk herd of 30-70 animals on Ron Stewart Preserve based on historic numbers. The lower end of the range is for non-migratory elk. The upper end if seasonal migration is re-established and elk use Ron Stewart Preserve only for winter range.
4. Continue to work with farmers and landowners to minimize elk damage to private property and elk-human conflicts to the extent possible.

Meeting History

May 29, 2018

Staff presented results from the first year of implementation and proposed recommendation for minor changes to the plan. The Board of County Commissioners approved the changes.

Aug. 22, 2017

Staff presented the plan to the Board of County Commissioners. The plan was approved.

June 20, 2017

Staff presented the plan and Memo to the Board of County Commissioners on June 20.

The Boulder County Commissioners gave approval to staff to move forward with limited elk hunting for this fall season. Staff was asked to return in mid-August with a final plan for approval.

May 25, 2017

Staff presented the plan to the Parks & Open Space Advisory Committee.

The committee voted 3-3 to recommend the plan to the Board of County Commissioners.

April 27, 2017

Staff presented the plan to the Parks & Open Space Advisory Committee on April 27.

The advisory committee requested more information and readdressed the issue on May 25.

April 6, 2017

Staff hosted an open house on April 6 and presented the draft plan.

• Staff Presentation

Public Comments Received

Public comments received throughout the planning process have been consolidated into one document.

• Public Comments on the Ron Stewart Preserve at Rabbit Mountain Elk and Vegetation Management Plan