GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (AP) — The Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission is considering cuts for big game hunting for elk, deer and pronghorn sheep this year.

The commission is meeting Thursday in Grand Junction, where members will decide the best ways to stabilize herds.

Biologists are recommending a quota of 139,000 limited elk licenses, which represents a drop of about 2 percent from 2011.

Wildlife managers are proposing a quota of 80,000 deer licenses and 24,000 pronghorn licenses, which also represent slight declines.

Licenses for the state’s growing moose population are recommended to rise by 12 percent, while bear licenses will jump by 25 percent.

(© Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)