Is The Hunting Boycott In Colorado Working?
BY Herschel Smith
11 years, 1 month ago
First, there is this from The Gazette:
Hunters who threatened to boycott Colorado if gun control legislation was approved may have been shooting blanks.
Indeed, so far, numbers are up about 4 percent on draws and sales of leftover licenses have been on target with expectations, said Randy Hampton, spokesman for Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
Actual numbers, however, won’t be available until about mid-November, he cautioned.
“The majority of non-resident hunting occurs during our second or third rifle seasons,” Hampton said.
The second season runs from Oct. 19-27 and the third season runs from Nov. 2-10.
The biggest negative impact on license sales may come from flooding in northeastern Colorado.
Then there is this from Red State, albeit a couple of months ago:
The recent gun control measures approved in Colorado have already taken a toll on local individuals, businesses, and communities throughout the state. Those who work in the outdoor recreation industry, along with entire towns and counties that center around hunting and fishing, have been the first to experience the real economic effect of the new firearm regulations.
Tom Bowers is an outdoor recreation guide and the owner of Colorado’s High Lonesome Outfitter & Guides located in Yampa. Bowers shared with Media Trackers Colorado how the new gun legislation has already affected his business.
“Many of my hunting, fishing, horseback riding, and rafting clients are choosing to recreate in other states because of the new laws. Before the [gun control] legislation passed I got 15-30 calls from potential clients a day, now I get less than 5.”
Eric Layman with Western Colorado Outfitters in Montrose experienced the same drop off in business bookings, reservations, and correspondence as Bowers.
In a normal year, Bowers and his High Lonesome Outfitters guide between 35 and 40 big game hunters. This year, he said he would be lucky to get 20-25. One big game client, whom he has served as a guide for 15 years, told Bowers that he will not be rebooking or coming back to Colorado. Bowers recalled the conversation with the client, who told him: “It is not because of you, it is because of your Governor. I am not giving any money to that state”.
Bowers’ clients who booked before the new laws still plan to come this season, but many of them have told him it will be the last time they come to Colorado for any kind of outdoor recreation, even beyond hunting.
As such, Bower’s losses are not limited to hunting, as he attests to the fact that many of the fisherman and rafters he guides will no longer be returning to Colorado to recreate either. He explained: “Now we are a gun control state. My type of clients think if they come to the state of Colorado they are going to be violating gun laws.”
Layman, from Western Colorado Outfitters, echoed the fact that the boycott is spreading far beyond the hunting crowd, saying that while “the hunter forums show comments indicating that the boycott is in full effect, even summer visitors and skiers are joining in.”
I wouldn’t otherwise even bring this up, except that the Gazette article comes off as so snarky, superior and insulting that it caught my attention.
It might be difficult to tell at this stage of the season, but I would appreciate any input from readers (in the comments or send me an e-mail) with either anecdotal evidence or statistical information concerning the boycott.
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On October 7, 2013 at 3:30 am, Bruce said:
I have a friend going to Colorado this yr to elk hunt. Was looking to join them next yr. I put that plan on hold waiting to see if laws change or if he would like to come up to alaska and hunt with me. Why should I risk getting in trouble with trying to comply with all the new gun laws getting there as well as the ones in colorado. I do think we need to support those in the state fighting this attack on our 2nd ammendment.
On October 7, 2013 at 8:42 pm, dan said:
ALL will suffer when evil is allowed to rule…Evil politicians who are elected by the uninformed voters all need to be recalled…all
On October 7, 2013 at 9:44 pm, Herschel Smith said:
Bruce, I think it’s important too. Sometimes it’s hard to know exactly what that entails. In this case my mind is made up. I won’t give Colorado another dime of my money.
On October 8, 2013 at 9:35 am, Kevin R.C. O'Brien said:
Might want to take a look at what’s happening in Wyoming. Wyoming rolled out the red carpet to displaced CO elk hunters. Any delta in relative growth between WY and CO may be the impact of a “boycott,” in scare quotes because it’s hardly an organized a boycott, just individual decisions. There are a number of natural destinations if you rule out CO for hunting, but the first I’d check is Wyoming.
I doubt there will be much of an effect. First, many hunters are inveterate Fudds who care little about gun rights as long as they’ve got theirs. This is especially true of well-off hunters. Second, many people seem to assume the fight is over now that Morse and Giron got shown the door. Third, it’s hard to tease out boycott effects from persistent recession effects. (That’s another reason to try an interstate comparison).