Colorado Elk Hunt Forecast

Colorado Elk Hunt Forecast

Matt Rice
Matt Rice
According to gameandfishmag.com, Colorado has the largest herd in the country. Just short of 300,000 elk are spread over millions of acres of public and private land. They are dispersed throughout the mountainous region as well as lower terrain. Though trophy bulls aren't common, low license prices, large herds and great public land access make Colorado the most highly hunted state in the Rockies.

The Colorado Parks and Wildlife website has a wealth of information on elk hunting in their Hunter's Atlas, Hunting Stories, and the comprehensive Elk Hunting University. Four Regional Hunt Guides provide detailed information on each Game Management Unit.

Andy Holland, CPW big game manager, noted that the 2016 season should be just as successful as last year's estimated 44,000 elk harvest. Overall, elk herds are expected to be in excellent condition. Successful elk hunters get well back from the roads, hunt hard all day, hunt high early and expect snow-driven migration to drive elk down later.

Northwest Colorado is always a top prospect because the population there is the highest and cow/bull ratios are favorable. Holland said the southern tier from Trinidad west to the Utah border will also be good, though cow licenses will probably be reduced to maintain recently dwindling calf production numbers.

Outfitter John Nelson historically enjoys good success for his hunters in the Fossil Ridge Wilderness area near Gunnison. Units 54 and 55 are good bets for the hardy hunter willing to tackle this rugged elk habitat.

Holland said the 1st rifle season is always the most productive because all elk tags are limited, keeping hunter density low, while the 2nd and 3rd seasons are about 50 percent over the counter.

Read more: http://www.gameandfishmag.com/rocky-mountains/western-elk-hunting-forecast/#ixzz4KjsSyEiB

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