DURANGO – Colorado Parks and Wildlife is seeking public comment concerning management of mule deer in Southwest Colorado.

Proposals are for two herd areas: the Groundhog-area herd, in Game Units 72 and 73.

Over the past 15 years, the deer population in these areas has declined significantly. Reasons for the decline are unknown, but contributing factors may include drought, harsh winters, disease, predators and changing land-development patterns that have impacted critical winter range.

The plans are posted on the Colorado Parks and Wildlife website and can be found at: wildlife.state.co.us/hunting/biggame/herdmanagementdauplans/pages/herdmanagementdauplans.aspx.

Interested landowners, hunters and land managers are asked to complete online surveys so CPW big game managers can obtain insights and gauge opinions on mule deer and management.

The surveys can be found at: www.research.net/s/d24dauplan; www.research.net/s/d29dauplan. They’ll be posted through Dec. 10.

The plans are in draft form. Comments from the public will be considered as management planning continues. Final plans will go to the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission for review in March.

Comments can also be sent to Brad Weinmeister, Durango-area terrestrial biologist, at 151 E. 16th Street, Durango, CO 81301; brad.weinmeister@state.cous; Brad Banulis, Montrose-area biologist, 2300 S. Townsend Ave., Montrose, CO 81401; or brad.banulis@state.co.us. You can request a hard copy of management plans.

To learn more about big game hunting in Colorado, go to: cpw.state.co.us.