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At long last, spring has turned into summer, the abundance of wildflowers has given way to the summer heat, and the sounds of swathers and balers resonate in the valley.

The sight of acres of freshly cut and baled hay reminds us that though winter seems a long way off, a lot of preparation is required to be ready. Now is the time to fix broken fence, put up hay and secure it from the deer and elk that always are ready to accept high-protein forage in the dead of winter, when they struggle to meet their daily energy requirements. This last winter was hard on everyone, human and animal alike, but with some determined preparations, mid-winter conflicts between livestock and wildlife can be reduced. The Colorado Division of Wildlife has programs to assist with this.

To prevent these unwanted raids to your haystacks, the DOW and its Game Damage Program will provide fencing and other materials for you to erect a permanent stack yard to keep wildlife out. To request the materials, contact your local DOW office. Materials are free for use but remain the property of the DOW. In another effort to help, the Game Damage Program provides cash reimbursement or hay replacement for landowners who suffer crop or feed losses from big game. Still, the best long-term solution is to build a permanent stack yard. By Wildlife Commission policy, reimbursements are not available for landowners who do not allow hunting or for landowners who charge hunters more than $100 to access property. Those landowners, however, are still eligible to receive game damage materials. In addition to hay and crop losses, the Game Damage Program covers damage to vineyards, bee hives, orchards, fences,and livestock killed by bears and mountain lions.

Another resource is your local Habitat Partnership Program (HPP). HPP was established by the Colorado General Assembly and the Colorado Wildlife Commission with the goal of creating a partnership with landowners, land managers, sportsmen and the DOW to minimize agricultural landowner conflicts with big game animals. The program is guided by a statewide council but local committees identify, prioritize and implement solutions. HPP receives 5 percent of the DOW revenue from the sale of big game hunting licenses in the areas where the local committees are established. The committees leverage these funds with a cost share system for approved habitat improvements (brush/tree cutting, seeding, fertilizing, weed control, water developments), fencing projects (new fencing and repairs to existing fences), game damage projects (stack yards, hunt coordinators) and other types of solutions (seminars, conservation easements, etc) in order to minimize conflicts on public and private lands. Anyone may contact their local HPP committee and submit a project for consideration that is associated with reducing conflicts between wildlife and livestock.

Providing quality habitat to game populations so they are able to meet energy requirements throughout the year is essential to the healthy populations. Game populations can only be sustained at a level that the winter range will allow; therefore any projects benefiting the quality of winter range are highly encouraged.

The DOW understands the impact that wintering herds may have on fences and haystacks and have been administering these programs for many years to help resolve these conflicts. The DOW also understands and appreciates the critical role that landowners play in providing wildlife habitat. In fact, the health of most of Colorado's wildlife herds is directly related to the habitat provided on private lands. By planning ahead and taking the initiative to use DOW assistance, landowners can reduce impacts from wildlife through the winter. Taking care of problems in the summer months is not only easier, but also provides a level of preparation that will prove invaluable during the winter for all people and animals involved.

The goal of the DOW, as public servants, is to protect, preserve and enhance Colorado's wildlife resources for all the people of the state and its visitors. Our heritage as Coloradans is abundant wildlife that amazed the trappers, then settlers and homesteaders of this country, providing them with subsistence, awe and inspiration. It is what makes the West such a desirable place to live, with so many places to hunt and fish, to stand and gaze back in time, for our children to experience and take value in the natural world, have a sense of place and an understanding of what makes it unique.

As the West expands, conflicts will arise between man and wildlife. Organizations such as the DOW have created and will continue to create solutions to ease and or eliminate those conflicts. So that they can continue to enjoy what this state has to offer, landowners should make themselves aware of what assistance and programs are available by contacting a local DOW office. Reducing conflicts benefits people, wildlife and wildlife habitat and helps keep Colorado wild.