Hunting Prohibited In Almont Triangle During Late Season

Hunting on the Almont Triangle, or any other portion of Game Management Unit 55 in Gunnison County, will not be allowed during the late elk rifle season, Nov. 29 through Dec. 16, the Colorado Division of Wildlife has announced.
 
This is a new regulation for 2007, explained J Wenum, area wildlife manager for the DOW. In recent years, hunting on the Almont Triangle during the late season has caused some unexpected problems.
 
A major reason for the late season is to disperse big game from private hayfields and push them onto public land. Because the triangle provides excellent winter range for big game, elk move into the area at this time of year. When hunters go into the triangle they push elk off the winter range and onto private ranchland where they consume hay, damage fences and sometimes mingle with cattle during feeding times.
 
"The Almont Triangle is where we want them to spend the winter," Wenum said. "If they're pushed onto private land we're defeating the purpose of the late hunt and causing problems for ranchers and other private property owners."
 
Only the eastern portion of GMU 54 is open for the late season.  The boundaries are defined as: east of Antelope Creek and West Antelope Creek; east of the West Elk Wilderness Boundary along Ohio Pass Road; South of Kebler Pass (County Road 12)  west of Highway 135; and north of Highway 50.
 
Plenty of other public land is available for hunters in GMU 54 including Flat Top and Red Mountain. The DOW also encourages private landowners to allow hunters on their properties to help thin local herds and to get the elk moving to winter range on public lands.
 
The DOW is trying to reduce overall elk numbers in GMU 54, especially in the Ohio Creek Valley. This effort is intended to help meet population management objectives and reduce game damage conflicts. When hunted at this time of year, elk will also move to the western portion of GMU 54 where they can spend the winter protected on state wildlife areas.
 
Besides those who drew a late season tag through the regular license draw, the late season is open to youth hunters who hold an unfilled cow tag or either-sex tag from another season in any GMU in the state. Anyone with an either-sex tag must go to a DOW office to exchange that license for a cow license. Youth hunters also must be accompanied by a non-hunting mentor.
 
If you have questions, please contact Wenum or Terrestrial Biologist Brandon Diamond at the Gunnison DOW office at (970)641-7060.
 
 
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