Colorado Division of Wildlife
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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