Colorado has some new regulations for its Wild Trout and Gold Medal waters, including much-needed changes that may see more waters added to the list of the state’s most productive fisheries.

One key part of the policy adopted by the Colorado Wildlife Commission is allowing the Colorado Division of Wildlife to stock Wild Trout waters, something now recognized by fisheries managers as vital to preserving certain trout populations.

The stocking won’t be on an annual basis, said state fisheries chief Greg Gerlich, but rather as way to jump-start a potential Wild Trout population.

“By its name, Wild Trout water should be able to support a self-sustaining wild population,” Gerlich told the commission. “This policy will allow (the DOW) to establish or restore wild trout populations.”

Stocking will consist of fingerlings or fry, the classic put-and-grow type of fish, unless threats from predators (think here of the northern pike in Spinney Mountain Reservoir) call for larger fish.

A similar policy was adopted for the state’s 168 miles of Gold Medal waters, which are considered the state’s highest quality coldwater habitats and classified by their ability to produce at least 60 pounds of trout and 12 “quality trout” per acre. The DOW defines a “quality trout” as being 14 inches or longer.

It’s been a long time since Colorado added to its list of 18 Wild Trout and 13 Gold Medal waters. The initial policy was adopted in 1992. The new policy doesn’t change the emphasis on managing habitat rather than simply relying on the state’s hatchery to maintain fishing.

“We hope this opens the door for more waters being added to the list of Wild Trout waters,” said David Nickum, executive director of Colorado Trout Unlimited. “We think there’s a desire from anglers to see more waters managed this way.”

So does the wildlife commission. Part of the new policy states, “ The (c)ommission encourages Wild Trout waters to be designated” and also “expects the (DOW) to increase of Gold Medal waters throughout the state.”

Crawford outfitter hits Another snag

The checkered career of Crawford guide and outfitter Kirt Darner took another turn this week when the well-known mule-deer specialist pleaded guilty to several wildlife violations in New Mexico.

According to reports from several New Mexico newspapers and the Colorado DOW, Darner admitted to illegally transporting wild elk and receiving two stolen bighorn sheep heads.

His plea was entered Monday in New Mexico District Court in Grants. He faces more than 41⁄2 years in jail and a minimum of $10,000 in fines and restitution. Sentencing has not been set.

Darner’s name and near-legendary reputation are familiar to many hunters.

Once featured in Remington advertisements for bolt-action rifles, Darner had his hunting license revoked for three years in 2001 by the DOW after wildlife officers discovered a hunter Darner was guiding illegally shot from the window of a truck at an elk decoy.

Also, the hunter did not possess a valid permit for that hunting unit.

Darner made his name on his purported ability to outsmart and kill trophy sized mule deer bucks, but over the years his reputation faded considerably after run-ins with wildlife officers and at least one of his trophies were discovered to have been killed by other hunters.

An interesting, albeit rambling, version of Darner’s fall is available from Rich LaRocco, one-time chief editor for Outdoor Life magazine, at LaRocco’s Web site, Hunts.com.

Darner also once was featured in the popular book, “Colorado’s Biggest Bucks and Bulls,” and had several entries in the Boone & Crockett Club record book. He pulled those entries himself after a disagreement with Boone & Crockett officials over the validity of his claims.

An Associated Press report Monday said Darner and his wife, Paula, were co-owners of the 40-acre Lobo Canyon Ranch north of Grants when they were indicted in February of 2006 on multiple charges related to the theft of the sheep heads and the transport of the stolen elk. The Darners were accused of drugging and illegally moving three state-owned elk from the Lobo Canyon Ranch to the Pancho Peaks ranch and game park in southeastern New Mexico in 2002. Kirt Darner was paid $5,000 for each elk.

Mew Mexico Game and Fish Department officers, during a search at the Darner property in February 2005, discovered the heads of desert bighorn sheep and a Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep inside a vehicle.

The heads allegedly were stolen in 2000 from a Montrose taxidermy shop. The shop was preparing the mounts for the Colorado DOW, which estimated the value of the heads at more than $20,000 each when stolen.

The DOW had offered a $4,000 reward for information about the sheep-head thefts. According to the DOW, no one has been charged with the theft of the heads; Darner was charged with receiving stolen property.

As part of his plea, Darner, 69, agreed never to hunt, fish or possess firearms in his lifetime. He also agreed not to operate as a guide or outfitter in New Mexico or Colorado.

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E-mail Dave Buchanan at dbuchanan@gjds.com.