King’s Outdoor World Blog

2007 Big Game Outlook for SW Colorado

September 28th, 2007 David King - King's Outdoor World

For those of you who are fortunate to be holding a deer or elk tag for southwest Colorado could be looking at a great year. Here is some information about what to expect.

BIG GAME HUNTING OUTLOOK FOR SOUTHWEST COLORADO RATED AS EXCELLENT

Deer and elk are thriving throughout southwest Colorado thanks to availability of good habitat, limited license programs and favorable weather conditions. So, big game rifle hunters can look forward to another excellent season this fall.

In the big game units of the southwest region of Colorado, about 25 percent of hunters usually harvest an elk; and the success rate for deer is about 50 percent.

“Hunters who are willing to hunt hard and walk well off established roads should have a successful hunt,” said Scott Wait, senior terrestrial biologist for the DOW’s southwest region. “Hunters driving roads in their pick-ups and all-terrain vehicles have less chance of seeing deer or elk.”

Weather is always a factor in big game hunting. Snow early during the 2006 season helped to get the animals moving toward lower elevations; consequently, success rates were high, especially for elk. But the weather in Colorado is unpredictable – in 2005 the weather was warm and dry throughout the fall and fewer animals were harvested.

If the weather stays warm, hunters will push deer and elk into dark timber, difficult terrain and up to timberline.

“Hunters always must adjust to the current conditions,” Wait said.

For deer hunters conditions in the southwest and throughout Colorado have improved dramatically during the last few years. During the mid-1990s, hunters, the Colorado Wildlife Commission and DOW staff recognized that deer in Colorado were in trouble. After years of unlimited hunting when tags could be purchased over-the-counter, deer populations were in serious decline. To restore the health of Colorado’s deer herds, the Colorado Wildlife Commission made the tough decision in 1999 to limit deer licenses and make them available only through a draw. A preference point system also was established. In southwest Colorado the number of licenses available in some game management units was cut by as much as 90 percent.

At first the move to limit licenses drew some criticism. But today Colorado’s deer herds are again nationally renowned. More licenses are being made available, a fourth season has been added in some game management units, and hunters are seeing lots of mature, trophy-quality bucks throughout the state.

“Deer herds are healthy and deer hunters know now that the sacrifices they’ve made for the last eight years have been worth it.” said Tom Spezze, southwest regional manager for the DOW.

The dates for rifle seasons are: elk only, Oct. 13-17; combined deer and elk seasons, Oct. 20-28, Nov. 3-9, Nov. 14-18. Bull elk tags can be purchased over-the-counter for the second and third seasons.

Following are outlooks for areas within the southwest region:

Cortez – Durango – Pagosa Springs

Mild weather last winter allowed more fawns and older age-class bucks to make it through the winter. So populations are growing and the animals are healthy. Hunters looking for a big buck have a good chance of seeing more than one, said Andy Holland, terrestrial biologist for this area.

Holland also predicts that elk hunting will be excellent this year. Thanks to the 4-point and better restriction, more elk in this area are living longer and providing trophy opportunities. Abundant rain at high elevations for most of the summer helped to maintain good vegetation. If the weather is warm, hunters should expect elk to be spread out across the habitat.

Big game are abundant in the Missionary Ridge area north of Durango and near Vallecito Reservoir. A massive forest fire in 2002 burned off older growth timber and allowed significant growth of aspen and oak brush. Elk and deer are drawn to the young vegetation.

Elk favor higher country, so the low elevation areas in the far west hold few elk.

Montrose – Norwood – Telluride

Hunters in this area can expect to see plenty of mature bucks, said Brad Banulis, terrestrial biologist for the DOW’s Montrose office. Mild weather last winter throughout the area helped deer herds stay healthy.

Elk continue to do well in the higher elevations. If the weather is mild, Banulis recommends hunting as high as possible in dark timber and difficult terrain.

Early season hunters have the advantage in this area. Once hunting pressure starts, animals often move to private land at lower elevations.

Gunnison Basin

Deer hunting in the Gunnison Basin has been exceptional over the last several years. Drawing one of the limited licenses in this area, however, is difficult. Hunters need to accumulate from two to 13 preference points before they can expect to draw a license depending on their season of choice. But for most hunters the wait is worthwhile. Some great mule deer bucks have been harvested in the Gunnison area and success rates are high. A limited number of doe licenses are also available annually, and offer additional deer hunting opportunities.

Elk herds are doing well in the Gunnison Basin. Licenses are totally limited in game management units 66 and 67, and with a little luck hunters may find an older-age bull. The best places for elk in the Gunnison Basin are in the wilderness areas that ring the area. Hunters should expect to hunt in very rugged terrain.

San Luis Valley

Elk hunting should be excellent in this area this fall. Abundant public lands throughout this vast 8,000 square mile area provide plenty of habitat for elk. However, much of the terrain is quite rugged. Unit 76 in the upper Rio Grand River drainage is a quality unit for elk.

On the east side of the valley, elk move quickly from forest service land to private property. They also move into two areas where hunting is prohibited: Great Sand Dunes National Park and Baca National Wildlife Refuge.

“Elk get real smart after the second season, they know where to go to get away from hunters,” said Brad Weinmeister, terrestrial biologist for the San Luis Valley.

Because the elk herds are at population objective in the San Luis Valley, the number of cow licenses available was cut by about 40 percent for this season.

Deer herd populations are improving, but population is naturally stunted because of the high elevations throughout the area and an overall lack of winter range. For that reason the number of licenses is kept low. Those who draw tags have a good chance of harvesting a deer. Hunters should not expect, however, to see many big bucks.

For more information about big game hunting, go to the web site of the Colorado Division of Wildlife: http:wildlife.state.co.us.

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