Southwest Colorado Hunting Guide 2018

southwest colorado

guide 2018

Regional Colorado Parks and Wildlife information for your hunting adventure.

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We L ve Hunters! ››› 2 u Southwest Colorado Hunting Guide

September 2018

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CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER DOUGLAS BENNETT VICE PRESIDENT OF ADVERTISING DAVID HABRAT MANAGER OF CREATIVE SERVICES TAD SMITH DESIGNER CHRISTIAN RIDINGS EDITOR HUNTER HARRELL

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES SHAWNA LONG JESSICA KIRWAN ABBY FELDMAN COLLEEN DONLEY TERESSA NELSON KELLY BULKLEY TANA BOWEN AMY BAIRD EMILY CAMPANA DESIGN AND PRODUCTION CHRISTIAN RIDINGS JUSTIN MEEK RYAN BROWN

Ballantine Communications uses reasonable effort to include accurate and up-to-date information for its special magazine publications. However, all information comes from a variety of sources and may change at any time for any reason. To verify specific information, refer to the organization or business noted. To view the online version of this guide, visit: www.durangoherald.com

TRAVEL PLANNING RESOURCES Durango Service Center (970) 247-0855 San Juan National Forest (970) 247-4874 BLM Southwest Center (970) 240-5300 Pagosa RD Pagosa Springs (970) 264-1500

Pagosa FO Pagosa Springs (970) 264-2268 Tres Rios FO Dolores (970) 882-7296 Gunnison FO Gunnison (970) 641-0471 *RD = Ranger District *FO = Field Office

Table of Contents 4 5 6-8 6 7 8 10 12 14 16 17 18 20 22

September 2018

Season dates Know the GMU Seasonal outlooks Dolores Dry Creek Hermosa San Juan Basin Hunting big game Learn how to hunt safely Become a straight shooter Take your phone with you Internet resources OHV: Know the rules Caring for campsites Take care of game meat

Southwest Colorado Hunting Guide u 3

Season Dates Big Game

Photo provided by: CPW

Deer Archery ~ Aug. 25 – Sept. 23 Muzzleloader ~ Sept. 8-16 Second Rifle ~ Oct. 20-28 Third Rifle ~ Nov. 3-11 Fourth Rifle ~ Nov. 14-18

Elk Archery ~ Aug. 25 – Sept. 23 Muzzleloader ~ Sept. 8-16 Plains Rifle ~ Sept. 1 – Jan. 31 First Rifle ~ Oct. 13-17 Second Rifle ~ Oct. 20-28 Third Rifle ~ Nov. 3-11 Fourth Rifle ~ Nov. 14-18

Photo provided by: CPW

Pronghorn Archery ~ Aug. 15 – Sept. 20 Muzzleloader ~ Sept. 21-29 Rifle ~ Oct. 6-12

Moose

Photo provided by: CPW

Archery ~ Sept. 8-23 Muzzleloader ~ Sept. 8-16 Rifle ~ Oct. 1-14

Bear Archery ~ Sept. 2-30 Muzzleloader ~ Sept. 8-16 Rifle ~ Sept. 2-30 Concurrent Rifle ~ Oct. 13 – Nov. 18

Photo provided by: CPW

Migratory & Small Game Birds

Sheep & Goats

Band- Tailed Pigeon ~ Sept. 1-14 Chuckar Partridge ~ Sept. 1 – Nov. 30 Crow ~ Nov. 1 – Feb. 28 Dove: Mourning, White-Winged ~ Sept. 1 – Nov. 29 Dove: Eurasian Collared ~ Year-round European Starling, House Sparrow ~ Year-round Greater Prairie -Chicken ~ Oct. 1 – Jan. 6 Grouse: Dusky (Blue) ~ Sept. 1 – Nov. 18 Grouse: Greater Sage ~ Sept. 8 – 14 Grouse: Mountain Sharp-Tailed ~ Sept. 1-16 Pheasant ~ Nov. 10 – Jan. 31 Quail: Northern Bobwhite, Scaled, Gambel’s ~ Nov. 10 – Jan. 31 Rail: Sora, Virginia ~ Sept. 1 – Nov. 9 Sandhill Crane ~ Sept. 29 – Nov. 25 White-Tailed Ptarmigan ~ Sept. 8 – Nov. 18 Wilson’s Snipe ~ Sept. 1 – Dec. 16 Turkey ~ Sept. 1 – Oct. 7 Ducks & Coots ~ Sept. 29 – Oct. 17; Nov. 3 – Jan. 27 Geese ~ Sept. 29 – Oct. 8; Nov. 3 – Jan. 27

Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep ~ Aug. 4 – Dec. 31 Mountain Goat ~ Sept. 4 – Oct. 31 Desert Bighorn Sheep ~ Nov. 1-30

Small Game Abert’s Squirrel ~ Nov. 15 – Jan. 15 Beaver ~ Oct. 1 – April 30 Bobcat ~ Dec. 1 – Feb. 28 Common Snapping Turtle ~ April 1 – Oct. 31 Cottontail Rabbit, Snowshoe Hare, Jackrabbit ~ Oct. 1 – Feb. 28 Coyote ~ Year-round Marmot ~ Aug. 10 – Oct. 11 Prairie Dog ~ June 15 – Feb 28 Prairie Rattlesnake ~ June 15 – Aug. 15 Fox or Pine Squirrels ~ Oct. 1 – Feb. 28 Wyoming Ground Squirrel ~ Year-round Mink, Pine Marten, Badger, Fox, Raccoon, Ring-Tailed Cat, Skunk, Weasel, Opossum, Muskrat ~ Nov. 1 – Feb. 28 4 u Southwest Colorado Hunting Guide

September 2018

Know the game management unit

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Colorado Parks and Wildlife

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Harvesting a deer or elk in the wrong Game Management Unit is illegal, and it can be very expensive, too. Consider the experience of an Oklahoma couple hunting in southwest Colorado.

A Colorado Parks and Wildlife officer drove into their camp late one morning during the first rifle season. When he asked how the hunt was going the husband explained that they had each killed a cow about a mile away from their camp.

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The officer congratulated them and then asked to see their licenses.

After looking at the licenses he asked exactly where they’d hunted.

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“Well, we were just over that ridge there,” the husband said, pointing to the west.

The officer shook his head slightly and said, “Well, I’ve got some bad news. You were hunting in the wrong unit.”

The man protested and attempted to point out their location on the basic map that’s printed in the Big Game Hunting brochure. The map provides little detail, shows only the location of a few major roads and offers no topographic markings.

The wildlife officer pulled out a topographic map and showed the man that they were at least 15 miles - as the crow flies - away from where they were authorized to hunt.

“But we’ve been hunting here for years,” the man said.

Politely, but firmly, the wildlife officer explained the consequences: The meat would be confiscated and donated to a local food bank, and each of them would be fined $1,500. The couple’s hunting privileges in Colorado were subsequently suspended.

TWO LOCATIONS TO SERVE ALL YOUR HUNTING NEEDS! Durango » 970-247-5725 307 S Camino Del Rio | Durango, CO 9am-6:30pm M-F 9am-4pm Sat

Cortez » 970-565-9861 24720 Road K3, | Cortez, CO 9am-6pm M-F 9am-4pm Sat

Welcome Hunters!

“There is no excuse for hunting in the wrong unit,” says Matt Thorpe, area wildlife manager in Durango. “Most unit boundaries have been in place for years and they seldom change.”

Despite that fact, hunting in the wrong GMU is a common mistake.

Here’s how to make sure you are hunting in the right unit: • Go to page 61 in the 2018 Colorado Big Game Brochure, find the GMU number and read the official location description.

• Buy a high-quality topographic map that includes the GMU area and locate the boundaries; then mark the map.

• After you arrive at your hunting location, study the map and the landmarks in the area to make sure of the boundaries of the GMU. • For questions, contact the nearest Parks and Wildlife office.

Hunters must also be aware of the location of private land. To hunt on private land you must obtain permission. In Colorado, landowners are not required to post or mark their property.

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GMU descriptions can also be found on the Parks and Wildlife website: cpw.state.co.us.

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Southwest Colorado Hunting Guide u 5

Deer Hunting The deer population is within the objective range, however, fawn survival has been poor during the last three years. Buck licenses in all the units have been cut by about 10 percent to improve the buck-to-doe ratio.

In the early seasons, deer are evenly distributed, mostly above 8,000 feet. Deer begin migrating to lower elevations, generally from east to west, in mid-October.

Snow will cause them to move to lower elevations earlier. Deer concentrate on winter ranges in Dry Creek Basin, Disappointment Valley and along the rim of Dolores River canyon. GMU 70 in Dry Creek Basin is recommended in the third and fourth seasons.

Estimated deer population: 21,300 Elk Hunting

Dolores Dry Creek

GMUs 71, 711, 72, 73 are located in San Juan National Forest GMU 70 is located in Uncompahgre National Forest This area covers 2,800 square miles of landscape from the west side of the Uncompahgre Plateau to the Utah state line and south to the New Mexico. Habitat throughout these GMUs is favorable for big game. With altitudes from 5,000 feet to more than 12,000 feet, the vegetation ranges from desert shrubs to alpine tundra. Weather can change quickly, so be prepared for all conditions. There is good vehicle access in these areas; consequently, hunting pressure can be heavy in areas of easily accessibly public land. An exception is the Lizard Head Wilderness Area, GMU 71, which is accessible by foot and horseback only.

The elk population is holding steady, but calf recruitment is low and big-game managers are working to determine the reasons. A study to examine calf survival started this year, and will be a long-term project. Animals are distributed widely throughout the eastern portion of these units. Generally, GMU 71 is better early in the season, but will hold elk on south-facing slopes during the later seasons. GMU 71 becomes better as the season progresses. Elk will move quickly into thick aspen, evergreens and rugged terrain with hunting pressure. Hunt the edges of timbered areas slowly at first light and at sundown when elk are most active. There are many young bulls in this unit so be careful not to shoot a spike. Hunt away from roads and OHV trails for the best chance of success.

2017 Elk Harvest Statistics Dolores Dry Creek GMU

Season

Bulls

Harvest

Hunters

GMU

Season

Bulls

Harvest

Hunters

70 70 70

Archery Muzzle 1st Rifle

73 44 184

119 72 274

701 245 552

711 711 711

Archery Muzzle 3rd Rifle

11 4 89

19 8 126

292 59 808

71 71 71

Archery Muzzle 2nd Rifle

88 12 76

137 11 10

1,250 183 793

72 72 72

Archery Muzzle 4th Rifle

0 0 10

4 3 10

105 28 25

2017 Deer Harvest Statistics Dolores Dry Creek GMU

Season

Bucks

Harvest

Hunters

GMU

Season

Bucks

Harvest

Hunters

70 70 70

Archery Muzzle 3rd Rifle

43 15 372

43 15 387

132 79 631

711 711 711

Archery Muzzle 3rd Rifle

28 13 1679

28 13 179

50 40 309

71 71 71

Archery Muzzle 2nd Rifle

25 13 98

25 13 98

96 32 193

72 72 72

Archery Muzzle 2nd Rifle

14 16 156

14 16 156

35 42 227

6 u Southwest Colorado Hunting Guide

September 2018

Hermosa

GMU 74, 741 located in the San Juan National Forest Because summer forest fires impacted this area, check local conditions when you arrive. Elevations range from about 6,000 feet near the New Mexico bored to well over 12,000 feet near Silverton. An abundance of vegetation provides good summer range, but winter range on the south is declining because of development. Public land is abundant in GMU 74 with much of it quite remote.

Most of the land in GMU 741 is private or part of the Southern Ute Indian Reservation. Only members of the tribe can hunt on the reservation. No hunting is allowed around Nighthorse Reservoir, which is owned by the Bureau of Reclamation. Hunting is allowed on the 3,000 acres owned by Colorado Parks and Wildlife in the adjacent Bodo State Wildlife Area.

Deer Hunting This population is holding steady, and the buck-to-doe ratio is high, so it is possible to find quality bucks. In October, deer move from summer range at high elevations in the north to southern winter range. In the early seasons, deer hunting can be good near timberline. As deer begin to move to winter range, they can be more difficult to find. Look for timbered areas with a good mix of open meadows or undergrowth. Deer will head to winter range, usually 8,500 feet and below, during the third rifle season in a typical year. The lower portions of Junction Creek and areas further south can provide good deer hunting in the later seasons.

Estimated deer populations: 5,000 Elk Hunting The elk herd is within the population objective but calf recruitment is below average.

CPW is working to increase the population so the number of limited licenses was reduced by more than 800 for this year. Most elk in GMU 74 are at higher elevation areas until snow accumulation pushes them down. Hunters willing to go into rugged terrain could be rewarded. Consider hunting near Engineer Mountain, in the Hermosa Creek drainage west of the Purgatory ski resort and up Junction Creek northwest of Durango. Finding bulls is tough.

They have survived by knowing how to avoid hunters. Concentrate on rugged terrain away from other hunters. Weather often dictates the success rate in this area.

Estimated elk population: 4,800

2017 Elk Harvest Statistics Hermosa GMU

Season

Bulls

Harvest

Hunters

GMU

Season

Bulls

Harvest

Hunters

70 70 70

Archery Muzzle 1st Rifle

73 44 184

119 72 274

701 245 552

711 711 711

Archery Muzzle 3rd Rifle

11 4 89

19 8 126

292 59 808

71 71 71

Archery Muzzle 2nd Rifle

88 12 76

137 11 10

1,250 183 793

72 72 72

Archery Muzzle 4th Rifle

0 0 10

4 3 10

105 28 25

2017 Deer Harvest Statistics Hermosa GMU

Season

Bucks

Harvest

Hunters

GMU

Season

Bucks

Harvest

Hunters

70 70 70

Archery Muzzle 3rd Rifle

43 15 372

43 15 387

132 79 631

711 711 711

Archery Muzzle 3rd Rifle

28 13 1679

28 13 179

50 40 309

71 71 71

Archery Muzzle 2nd Rifle

25 13 98

25 13 98

96 32 193

72 72 72

Archery Muzzle 2nd Rifle

14 16 156

14 16 156

35 42 227

September 2018

Southwest Colorado Hunting Guide u 7

San Juan Basin

Deer Hunting

GMUs 75, 77, 78, 751, 771 located in San Juan National Forest

Public land and road access is good at mid- to high elevations in these units, which lie between Durango and Wolf Creek Pass.

Elevations range from about 6,500 feet to more than 12,000 feet.

Weather can change quickly and be severe.

If the weather is warm, animals will be scattered widely in the vast alpine terrain. Hunters should concentrate their efforts away from roads. Two wilderness areas – the Weminuche on the north, and the South San Juan in the southeast corner – offer good backcountry hunting opportunities. If you’re hunting the backcountry during earlier seasons, get a harvested animal out and into a cooler quickly. Temperatures in early seasons are often in the 70s and meat will start to spoil within a day. South of U.S. Highway 160 much of the land is privately owned or part of the Southern Ute Indian Reservation. To access pockets of public land within the Southern Ute boundaries you MUST obtain a crossing permit from the tribe. Call (970) 563-0125 for information.

Hunting is not allowed on tribal lands.

The population is growing in these units. The buck-to-doe ratio is high and CPW increased the number of deer licenses by 20 percent for the 2018 season. Deer hunting will be excellent and hunters should be able to find quality bucks. Doe licenses were also added. The areas with the best prospects on public lands: The HD Mountains; the drainages of the Piedra River, Florida River and Los Pinos River; and areas southeast of Pagosa Springs. A large percentage of the deer in these units initiate north-to-south migration in mid-October. After the first week of November deer are typically on winter range. Much of the winter range occupied by this herd is on private land or tribal property.

Estimated deer population: 27,000 Elk Hunting Population in these units is declining slightly and the number of limited licenses has been reduced by about 10 percent. Hunters must be prepared to walk into remote and heavily forested areas to find animals. Do not expect to see elk from roads or areas open to OHV use. In the early seasons stick to north-facing slopes in the spruce, fir and aspen forests. Elk will move lower when snow accumulation is significant. In late seasons, ponderosa pine forests and oak brush are usually productive.

The wilderness area boundary north of Pagosa Springs often holds elk when snow pushes them down. Areas south of Pagosa Springs and east of Highway 84 can provide good hunting as snow begins to accumulate. Mill Creek Road (Forest Service Road 302), Rio Blanco Road (Forest Service Road 657) and Buckles Lake Road (Forest Service Road 663) provide access to the region.

Hunters who don’t mind working in rough country can be successful in the hills on either side for the Piedra River north of Highway 160. The Missionary Ridge Road (Forest Service Road 682) and Beaver Meadows Road (Forest Service Road 135) provide access into good elk country in GMUs 75 and 751, and so does the Mosca Road (Forest Service Road 631) and Forest Service Road 634 in GMU 77.

Estimated elk population: 19,200

2017 Elk Harvest Statistics San Juan Basin GMU

Season

Bulls

Harvest

Hunters

GMU

Season

Bulls

Harvest

Hunters

75 75 75

Archery Muzzle 1st Rifle

35 12 46

43 18 57

512 62 367

77 77 77

Archery Muzzle 2nd Rifle

53 12 102

65 27 107

715 112 866

751 751 751

Archery Muzzle 3rd Rifle

16 15 48

28 18 59

313 51 334

78 78 78

Archery Muzzle 2nd Rifle

114 15 108

145 28 108

1,102 93 769

2017 Deer Harvest Statistics San Juan Basin GMU

Season

Bucks

Harvest

Hunters

GMU

Season

Bucks

Harvest

Hunters

75 75 75

Archery Muzzle 3rd Rifle

22 45 164

31 45 177

149 117 297

77 77 77

Archery Muzzle 2nd Rifle

8 24 166

29 27 170

132 94 405

751 751 751

Archery Muzzle 2nd Rifle

5 24 70

8 27 73

59 67 226

78 78 78

Archery Muzzle 2nd Rifle

17 28 194

26 31 194

149 106 382

8 u Southwest Colorado Hunting Guide

September 2018

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Southwest Colorado Hunting Guide u 9

Hunting big game in Colorado Colorado Parks and Wildlife

Deer and elk are the most commonly hunted species in Colorado. But hunters also go to the high country to pursue other big game animals: bighorn sheep, mountain goats, bears, moose and mountain lions.

The numbers of these animals in the state are significantly lower than deer and elk, so licenses are few and difficult to get. But those who obtain a license can look forward to a high-quality hunting experience.

Photo provided by: CPW

Bighorn Sheep The bighorn is perhaps the most recognized and sought after animal in Colorado. The curled horns of the rams display one of the most magnificent characteristics of any wildlife species.

But while the hardy animals live in harsh terrain, bighorns are a fragile species and Colorado wildlife managers are keeping a close watch on them. The population of big horns is estimated at only about 6,900 and the population has dropped slightly in the past few years.

For the 2017 season, Colorado Parks and Wildlife issued only 319 licenses for the entire state, and 175 animals were harvested, including 137 rams and 38 ewes for a 63 percent success rate. Getting a license is difficult, with most hunters waiting a minimum of five to seven years to draw a tag. Depending on the unit, some wait more than 10 years for a license.

The preferred habitat of bighorns is steep, rocky slopes with little vegetation. Preseason scouting is essential.

“They are very challenging to hunt,” says Scott Wait, senior terrestrial biologist for the agency in southwest Colorado. “They are very wary.

The stalk is usually long, strenuous and in difficult terrain,” Wait says.

“Most hunters must make long shots, often 200 yards or more. So you’ll need high-quality optics, and rifles must be properly sighted in.”

Retrieving an animal, of course, adds to the hunting challenge. The good news for hunters is that bighorns are most active during the day and follow predictable daily patterns.

Mountain Goats The adaptable, hardy mountain goats seem to be able to defy gravity.

These snow- white critters inhabit terrain that is even more severe than the haunts of bighorn sheep.

Goats balance on narrow bands of rock on sheer cliffs, and eat lichen and small plants. They seem to think nothing of jumping from one precipice to another. Goats also remain at high-elevation year around, enduring brutal winter conditions above timberline at more than 11,000 feet.

Mountain goats were transplanted in Colorado from other states in the 1940s. There is still debate if they were ever native to the state.

Goats are very adaptable and can move long distances to get to new terrain. Unfortunately, they also carry a disease that might infect bighorn sheep. Consequently, wildlife managers work to keep the goats in areas where they’ve long been established and where they don’t interact with bighorns. These areas include the Raggeds Wilderness near Gunnison, in the mountains around Georgetown, in the Collegiate Peaks west of Buena Vista, in the Gore Range in the central mountains, and in the San Juan Mountains near Silverton.

The DOW estimates the mountain goat population at about 1,500. In 2017, 220 licenses were issued and 158 goats were harvested for an 80 percent success rate.

Those who want to hunt goats should expect to wait five years or more to accumulate enough preference points to for a license.

Unfortunately, for the bighorn, their predictability contributes to their fragility. Unlike other big game species, they do not adapt easily to new areas. They like to stay on their home turf, even when they are pressured by development or other animals–wild and domestic.

When pressured, the animals become stressed and do not reproduce well. Sheep also are susceptible to diseases spread by domestic sheep and goats, and wild mountain goats. Agency biologists closely monitor all the herds in the state.

Colorado is also home to desert bighorn sheep. Statewide, the population of this species is growing slowly, although there are only an estimated 540 animals in the state, all on the western edge of Colorado. Only 13 ram licenses were issued in 2017 and 13 animals were harvested.

10 u Southwest Colorado Hunting Guide

September 2018

Photo provided by: CPW

Photo provided by: CPW

Black Bears It’s estimated that more than 20,000 bears live in Colorado. Bears are mostly solitary and reproduce slowly. Sows do not start producing cubs until they are four or five years old and then can only give birth every other year. Cubs often stay with their mothers for up to two years. Bears range generally in size from about 175 pounds for a sow and up to about 300 pounds for a boar. Few bears exceed 350 pounds in Colorado.

Bears live primarily in the range of 6,000 feet to 9,500 feet in elevation in thick oak brush and aspen groves. Population and reproduction vary depending on the availability of their favorite foods – acorns from oak brush, berries, grasses and forbs. When the weather is wet, that’s good news for bears. During drought fewer bears are born.

Hunters kill most bears during September when the animals are most active searching for food before they go into hibernation.

The difficulty in obtaining a hunting license depends on the season and the specific game management unit. Bear-only rifle licenses, obtained through the draw, usually require preference points depending on the unit. During the regular big game deer and elk seasons, a limited number of bear licenses are available over-the-counter, but a hunter must have a deer or elk license for the same season.

Hunters harvested 1,264 bears in 2017.

Photo provided by: CPW

In 2017, some 18,000 hunters harvested about 1,264 bears, a 7 percent success rate.

One reason for the low harvest rate is that bears are difficult to hunt because they live primarily in thick brush. Also, after September their eating slows down and they are more difficult to find. By early November, most bears are curled up for their six-month nap.

Most bears are harvested when the weather is warm, so a successful hunter must attend to the carcass quickly. After the kill, remove the hide as fast as possible and trim away the fat. Then place the meat on ice as soon as possible. In warm weather, game meat will spoil quickly.

Anyone who harvests a bear also must bring the carcass to a parks and wildlife office within five days of the kill so the sex and size can be determined and entered into a data base. A small tooth –the first premolar–is also removed so that researchers can be determined the age of the animal and how many times the sow has given birth to cubs.

Mountain Lions The most elusive big game animal in Colorado is the mountain lion. Also known as pumas or cougars – they live in areas where there is dense vegetation and often very broken terrain such as canyons and rocky hillsides. Deer are the primary prey for Colorado’s biggest native cat.

Hunters harvested 475 lions in 2017.

The population of lions in the state is estimated to be from 3,000 to 7,000. For the 2016-17 season, 2,321 hunters harvested 475 lions, a 20 percent success rate.

Licenses for lions can be purchased over-the-counter and the fall season lasts from November through March. There is also a season during April. Hunters who obtain licenses must call in every day to check if quotas have been filled in specific game management units.

Most lion hunting occurs when there is snow on the ground. Dogs pick up the scent from tracks and chase the lions into trees. The chase is often long and difficult through challenging terrain.

Moose Moose were introduced to Colorado in the late 1970s. Moose are solitary and reproduce slowly. It is estimated that about 3,000 moose live in Colorado. They are concentrated primarily in North Park, on the Grand Mesa, in the Taylor Park area, in the upper Rio Grande River drainage, and in the La Garita Mountains south of Gunnison.

Photo provided by: CPW

Moose licenses are difficult to obtain. In 2017, nearly 30,000 hunters applied for a license but only 404 licenses were issued. A total of 292 animals were taken during the season for a 73 percent success rate.

September 2018

Southwest Colorado Hunting Guide u 11

Learn how to hunt safely Colorado Parks and Wildlife

Hunting accidents have declined rapidly since the passage of two laws in 1970. One law requires hunter education training for all hunters born on or after Jan. 1, 1949. The other requires hunters to wear at least 500 square inches of fluorescent orange clothing above the waist--including a head covering visible from all directions.

Colorado averages fewer than two hunting fatalities per year. Since 2000, hunting has continued to post the best safety record of outdoor recreation forms, with a per-year average of only 1.3 fatalities and 7.8 total incidents involving injury from a firearm, arrow or other gear used in hunting. Most hunting incidents involve hunters; there are no records of non-participant injuries resulting from a hunting accident in Colorado.

Photo provided by: CPW

“Hunting is safe and getting safer all the time in Colorado,” said Travis Long, hunter education coordinator for Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

Still, the agency sells nearly 500,000 hunting licenses every year, resulting in several million hunter recreation days. Over the course of all the hunting seasons - small game, upland game, waterfowl and archery, muzzleloader and rifle big game seasons - tens of thousands of individual hunters will take to the field carrying bows and arrows, shotguns and rifles. Consequently, safety must always be a primary concern.

The majority of all hunting accidents could have been avoided if the hunter exercised a little more caution, Long said. Before the hunting season starts, hunters should head to the shooting range for practice.

“Get out to a range and practice and be familiar with the guns you’ll be using,” Long said. “Practice makes for a much safer and enjoyable hunt. It also increases your chances for a successful harvest.”

Photo provided by: CPW

Most hunting incidents involving firearms occur around vehicles. The reason: That’s where guns are usually loaded or unloaded and where hunters are standing close to each other. Always exercise extra caution when loading and unloading a gun, and do it away - at least 100 feet or more - from your vehicle.

Hunters are also reminded that it is illegal to place a loaded firearm in or on a vehicle. It’s also unnecessary. It is illegal to hunt from or shoot from a vehicle. Hunters must be at least 50 feet from the centerline of a maintained road before shooting. The distance is further in some areas, so check local regulations in the Colorado big game brochure. On U.S. Forest Service or BLM roads you need to be just off the road.

It is highly recommended that firearms be unloaded when you’re crossing streams and fences, and while walking on unstable, steep or rough terrain. The gun’s safety isn’t always enough to prevent it from firing because it can be moved to the fire position by clothing, vegetation or a fall.

“The safety is a mechanical device that can break or fail. It is not a substitute for proper gun handling and safety,” Long said.

12 u Southwest Colorado Hunting Guide

Photo provided by: CPW

As soon as the hunt is over, whether that means an animal has been harvested or you’re finished for the day, unload your gun. Firearms should be unloaded well before getting to the vehicle or camp, and then double- or even triple-checked to be certain they are empty before placing them in a case or vehicle.

“At the end of a long day in the field when hunters are tired, it is more important than ever to be extra careful with firearms,” Long said.

The following are brief summaries of a few hunting incidents that have occurred in Colorado.

Every hunting accident is different, but these examples provide useful information for all hunters. As you read these think about situations you might find yourself in.

In one fatality, a father and son were kneeling side by side ready to fire at an elk. The son also was holding the lead rope of a string of horses. When his father fired, the horses spooked, pulling the son’s rifle toward the victim. During the commotion the gun fired and the father was killed.

September 2018

Photo provided by: CPW

For information about mandatory hunter safety courses, go online: www.cpw.state.co.us/learn/Pages/HunterEducation.aspx.

One accident shows the danger of walking on difficult terrain with a rifle.

A hunter was walking with a guide on a steep hillside. He slipped; the rifle hit the ground and discharged. The bullet struck the guide in the head, killing him. If you are on difficult terrain or walking near someone, it’s best to unload your rifle.

Hunting gear checklist Preparing for a hunting trip is critical. Listed below are a few common items that hunters often forget as they prepare to explore the backcountry.

In another incident, a bow hunter took off alone in pursuit of elk. At some point he fell on an arrow - which was not in a quiver - and cut the femoral artery in his leg. The hunter bled to death.

“This is a graphic reminder that most bow hunting incidents are the result of self-inflicted wounds,” Long said Non-fatal hunting incidents are more common; here are some examples: An elk hunter was running in an attempt to get ahead of some elk. He stumbled, his .308 rifle fired and shot him in the leg. “Never run while carrying a loaded gun,” Long said.

Another big-game hunter was using his rifle as a walking stick. The rifle fired, shooting off the tip of his thumb.

“Always carry a rifle with two hands, never put your hand over the muzzle and never use it as a support,” Long said.

Talk to your hunting partners, youth hunters and new hunters about practicing safety in the field at all times. Firearm safety should be considered every time you go out hunting.

Long said: “Always remember that when hunting, one moment of carelessness with a firearm can mean a lifetime of consequences.”

September 2018

• First aid kit(include mole skin/duct tape for blisters) • Compass and high-quality maps • Fire starter for use in the field • Knife sharpener • Extra batteries • Rain gear • Blaze orange vest and cap • Extra fuel for camp-stove • Tire chains • Cleaning supplies, trash bags • Flashlight/lantern • Game bags • Sunscreen • Toilet tissue • Hunting license • List of family/friends phone numbers • Extra water bottles • Water purification pump or tablets • Latex gloves for field dressing animals • 2018 Colorado Big Game Hunting brochure

Southwest Colorado Hunting Guide u 13

environmental and physical factors also affect shooting ability - heat, cold, wind, fatigue and the heart-pounding influence of adrenalin coursing through the body.

Bechaver recommends forcing yourself to practice in uncertain conditions. Shoot from the prone position, shoot sitting down using your knee for a rest, use a pack as a support, estimate distances then check with a range finder, etc.

Zeroing in As you prepare for this year’s big game seasons, give your rifle a thorough check. Be sure the scope is attached to the barrel with the proper amount of torque. A loose scope will cause you to miss the target.

For the right amount of torque, check the manufacturer’s specifications or take the rifle to a gunsmith.

Likewise, make sure the stock is fastened tightly. A loose stock can alter how a bullet comes out of the barrel of a gun.

Become a real straight shooter Colorado Parks and Wildlife “Do you know how to shoot straight?”

While some people might take offense at such a question, it is one that big game hunters need to ask themselves every year. Shooting an animal with a high-powered rifle, no matter the distance, is not a natural skill.

Hunters must know the capabilities of their rifles, the intricacies of their scopes, the characteristics of their ammunition, the distance of their targets and their own competence for a fast shot at an animal.

“Shooting is a perishable skill. If you haven’t done it in awhile, you’re going to get rusty,” says Rick Basagoitia, area wildlife manager in the San Luis Valley. “There are people who believe they can go out, buy an expensive rifle and without any practice start shooting like the guys on the hunting shows on TV. Well, they can’t.”

The importance of good shooting also goes beyond just being able to harvest an animal. Developing shooting skills must be viewed as an ethical consideration by hunters.

“We don’t want animals to suffer. Preferably, hunters will get the job done with one shot,” Basagoitia said.

Shooting lots of rounds is the only way to become proficient with your rifle, explained Brian Bechaver, a district wildlife manager in the San Luis Valley and a certified firearms instructor who has hunted all his life.

But to become proficient, hunters must get out of their comfort zones at the shooting range.

“Most people can shoot off a bench and when they know the range of the target,” Bechaver said. “But a lot of things go out the window when you’re in the field and you see an animal.”

A hunter must quickly estimate distance, take a shooting position that might be awkward and be forced to shoot uphill or downhill. Various 14 u Southwest Colorado Hunting Guide

The range of your rifle depends on the characteristics of the firearm and the bullet. So before going to the shooting range, look up specifications for your rifle and the type of cartridge you’re using.

The target you practice on should be the size of the vital organ area of the animal you are hunting: a circle of about 15 inches in diameter inches for an elk, and about 10 inches in diameter for a deer. The vital area is just behind and slightly below the front quarter of a big game animal. A shot placed in this area will tear through the heart and lungs and kill an animal quickly.

At the range, Basagoitia suggests that hunters practice from the prone position, either resting the rifle on shooting sticks or on a backpack.

“I don’t advocate shooting off benches. Benches are for bench-rest shooting, not hunting. People should do all their practice in situations they are likely to use in the field,” Basagoitia said.

To get a feel for your rifle - or to refresh your muscle memory - start by shooting at the middle of the target at 100 yards. Because the scope is mounted over the barrel, when you look at the target through the scope the barrel will actually be pointed up slightly. Consequently, if the pointblank range of your rifle/cartridge combination is 300 yards, and you’re shooting at a target 100 yards away, the bullet should hit about 3.5 inches high on the target ‒ but still within the vital target zone.

Take as many shots as needed to obtain a two-inch grouping with five bullets at that distance. At this distance it’s OK to use inexpensive ammo.

Scopes have different types of adjustments, so be sure to know how yours works. Many scopes provide for adjustments of one-quarter inch at 100 yards. So at 100 yards the shot should be 3.5 inches above the middle of the target if your scope is set correctly. But if your shot, for example, is two inches above that, you need to adjust the scope. If it adjusts in one-quarter inch increments, you need to adjust the scope by eight one-quarter inch turns - or clicks - in the down direction. Thus: 8 x ¼ = 2 inches. The same goes to make adjustments to raise the shot or to go to the right or the left.

Next, set the target at 300 yards - or at the prescribed point-blank range - and use the bullets you’ll use when hunting. Even though the rifle is capable of accuracy at that distance, 300 yards is a very long shot and will truly test your ability. You’ll be feeling the effects of recoil from previous shots, and you’ll find that holding the rifle steady on a target at that

September 2018

distance is challenging. This situation provides a good simulation of conditions in the field.

At 300 yards or more the bullet pattern will likely be larger than what you shot at 100 yards.

The critical factor is landing the shots in the vital area.

Determining distance to a target is also an important skill to hone.

“Estimating range is huge,” Basagoitia said.

“Most people consistently underestimate distances.”

He recommends getting a range finder and practicing with it at various distances in the field. When hunting you probably won’t have time pull out the range finder, but with practice you can develop the skill to estimate distance.

Because of the potential for animals to be wounded, wildlife officers recommend against long shots.

Bechaver won’t take a shot if the animal is more than 300 yards away.

“That’s my maximum distance, but that’s still a very long shot. I must be in the prone position and feel very comfortable and calm. Not many people can make a 300-yard shot,” he said.

Going beyond the maximum point-blank range requires adjusting your aim, something that Basagoitia doesn’t recommend.

contributes to a steady position. Don’t pull the trigger quickly because that will cause the gun to move off the target.

“That takes even more practice,” he said.

“It’s a good idea to dry-fire your rifle, it’s one of the best things you can do to practice holding your gun steady while squeezing the trigger,” Basagoitia said. “As you squeeze the trigger, pay attention to the position of the scope cross-hairs and see if they move.”

“Realistically in Colorado, most shots will be well under 300 yards. It’s best to spend your time practicing at distances that are practical, from 100 to 200 yards.”

When shooting at a distance of 100 yards or more, be aware that wind also becomes a significant factor. If possible, go to the range when there is little wind -- mornings are a good bet. If you are hunting on a windy day, you can minimize the effects by getting directly upwind or downwind of your target.

After hitting the targets from various distances, attempt realistic shooting situations. Shoot sitting down, leaning against a pole or tree or resting on a rock. Walk quickly for 20-30 yards, then drop, calm down by taking some slow breaths and then try to hit the target. If possible, shoot uphill and downhill.

Practice, Patience, Practice

Hunters should buy shooting sticks, a simple bi-pod that attaches to the barrel of a rifle.

Without those, practice using your pack as a rest from the prone position.

A key component of good shooting is trigger control. Place only the pad of your index finger on the trigger, squeeze slowly and continue to squeeze after bullet is fired. Continuing to squeeze provides “follow through” and

The more you shoot, the more confident you’ll be in the field. And after you’ve taken lots of practice shots, you should be able to confidently answer the question “Do I know how to shoot straight?”

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Southwest Colorado Hunting Guide u 15

take your phone with you

By Mark Rackay These days, most of us are dependent, to some extent, on our cell phones. While service can be non-existent or, at best, sketchy in remote areas, emergency rescue experts suggest that hunters carry their phones with them in the field.

Cell phones have become the most important tool for finding people who are lost or injured in the backcountry. Here are some tips on the use of cell phones in the backcountry.

Start your trip with the phone fully charged. You can always top off the charge in your vehicle on the way to your starting point. Also, turn on the phone’s automatic location setting. This allows emergency services to get a “ping” and calculate your position using GPS. Then, keep the phone turned off. When phones are on they are constantly searching for a signal which drains 16 u Southwest Colorado Hunting Guide

the battery. Try to store the phone close to your body – keeping it warm also helps conserve battery power.

Turn your cellphone on once each day for about five minutes, at least. When powered up the phone will search for, and hopefully find, the nearest tower. Even though there might not be enough signal to make a call, it can be enough to leave an electronic trail that can be used later in an emergency.

Cell phones, like radios, work off of a line of sight. This means that land features such as mountains, heavy tree cover and rock formations can block signals. If you are going to make an emergency call, find the highest and most open location search for a signal. Hold the phone in the air at arm’s length and rotate around until you find reception.

I was on an elk hunting trip some years ago September 2018

where the only service I would find was in a spot about 50 feet from camp, next to a fence line.

I would power up the phone and check in twice daily from that location.

If you do not have enough reception to make a call, or if reception is spotty, it’s possible you can send a text message. Send it to someone you know, give the location and the problem you’re having. Your friend can then call 911 with the information to request help. If the text doesn’t send, just keep moving. As soon as the phone locates a tower, the message will be sent.

Given that cell phone service is becoming available in more and more remote places, it’s a good idea to carry your cell phone with you in the backcountry.

Mark Rackay is director for the Montrose County Sheriff’s Posse. He can be contacted at: info@mcspi.org.

Internet resources for hunters

Colorado Parks and Wildlife

“These articles are not just aimed at novices, even veteran hunters will benefit from them.”

Photo provided by: CPW

Hunters looking for information to help with their big game adventure will find plenty of helpful material on the Colorado Parks and Wildlife web site, cpw.state.co.us. The information includes how to apply for a license, where to hunt, tips for hunting elk, detailed maps, how to field dress a big game animal and much more.

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Also available on the web site are hunting guides for each of the agency’s four regions: Northeast, Southeast, Northwest and Southwest.

Available as PDFs on the web site and in printed booklet form, the guides provide statistics, game management unit descriptions and hunting tips.

The web site also offers statistical tables that provide complete harvest details for all big game species each year, including method of take and a season-by-season break down. Go to the Big Game section the web sites and click on the “Statistics” link.

By compiling information from hunters, huntmasters, biologists and wildlife officers, CPW’s Hunter Outreach Program created Elk Hunting University, a series of articles that address details on how to hunt elk. Article topics include: scouting, using maps, ballistics, how to select a hunting area, archery hunting, etc. See: http://cpw.state.co.us/learn/Pages/EHU.aspx.

Hunters can also check if they’ve drawn a license and look at preference point tables for each GMU and season. Also on the web site: hunting regulations, the big game brochure, explanations of Ranching for Wildlife, leftover license information, information about all Colorado hunting opportunities, description of various species, and much more.

“We’re providing hunters with helpful information that will make their hunts more enjoyable and productive,” said Jason Duetsch, CPW’s hunter outreach coordinator. “These articles are not

Anyone can also sign up to receive CPW’s Insider newsletter which provides press releases and various notices via e-mail throughout the year at: cpw.state.co.us/aboutus/Pages/CPWInsider.aspx.

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Southwest Colorado Hunting Guide u 17

Use OHVs properly: Know the rules Colorado Parks and Wildlife

The number of off-highway vehicles used during hunting seasons has been increasing steadily during the last decade. While the vehicles can be useful tools to aid a hunt, some hunters are using them improperly and causing a variety of problems.

Hunters must be aware of Colorado OHV rules, as well as local regulations and federal travel management regulations for national forests and BLM lands.

All OHVs must be registered in Colorado. Your home-state registration is not valid. To register your vehicle call the Colorado Parks and Wildlife office at (303) 791-1920, or go to the web site: cpw.state.co.us.

Hunters need to remember that rifles carried on OHVs must be completely unloaded and placed in a hard or soft case–no bullets in the chamber or magazine. Bows must also be carried in a case.

On national forest and BLM lands, OHV travel is allowed only on roads and trails designated for such use. Roads and trails open to motorized use will be signed as “open”, or be shown as open on forest service and BLM travel maps. It is recommended that you consult with the local forest service or BLM office prior to your trip to make sure you understand travel regulations in your hunting area. Federal fines, up to $500 per

incident, may be levied for violations of travel management regulations.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife officers are authorized to write tickets for illegal OHV use. Besides the federal fines, violators who are using OHVs while hunting, fishing or trapping will be assessed penalty points against their license privileges: 10 points for most violations, 15 points for riding into wilderness areas. Hunters who accumulate 20 penalty points lose their ability to buy hunting or fishing licenses for at least one year.

Matt Thorpe, area wildlife manager in Durango, said hunters must minimize their use of OHVs if they expect to see any big game animals.

“There are some hunters who drive around on OHVs all day and then they complain that they’re not seeing any animals,” Thorpe said.

The constant drone of OHVs also causes problems for other hunters.

OHVs are noisy and cause animals to move deep into inaccessible territory. Just one vehicle can cause problems for numerous hunters.

“There is getting to be a real backlash against OHVs from people who actually get out there and hunt the way they’re supposed to,” he said.

Big-game hunters who wish to be successful must walk slowly and quietly well away from roads. It is unlikely during hunting season that a hunter will see a big game animal from the road. And if an animal is spotted, a hunter doesn’t have time to get off the vehicle, take a rifle or bow out of its case, load the weapon and move off the road to take a shot.

Besides disturbing animals and other hunters, improper use of OHVs can cause resource damage when they are driven off of established roads and trails. That action can destroy vegetation, compact soil, and lead to stream and water-quality degradation.

Please, remember these rules & guidelines: • Rifles and bows carried on OHVs must be completely unloaded and secured in a case.

• Be sure to check with local U.S. Forest Service and BLM offices for the local travel management plans in areas where you will be hunting.

• In most areas an OHV cannot be used to retrieve harvested animals. Check with local BLM and forest service offices for specific game-retrieval policies.

• Do not drive OHVs in designated wilderness areas.

• Be careful not to trespass onto private roads.

• Be considerate of other hunters. Drive slowly to reduce noise; minimize driving distances; don’t hunt from the road.

• Explain these rules and guidelines to young hunters and those unfamiliar with proper OHV use.

18 u Southwest Colorado Hunting Guide

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Southwest Colorado Hunting Guide u 19

Caring for campsites

By Colorado Parks and Wildlife

Camping can cause significant impacts on public lands. You can minimize much of your impact by following these guidelines: • Hundreds of campsites have been established over the years and are apparent along many forest service and BLM roads. Use established areas as much as possible.

• Camping is limited to 14 consecutive days at all campsites.

• Campsites must be a minimum of 100 feet from streams, lakes or riparian areas.

• Occupy a small space if possible. Avoid trampling grass and shrubs.

• Do not dig a trench around your tent site.

• Unless otherwise posted, you can only drive a vehicle 100 feet off of an established road to set up camp. However, you cannot drive off of an established road into an area if your vehicle would cause resource damage. So don’t drive into wet areas, or in areas recently soaked by rain or snow.

• Using a stove is safer, easier and causes less impact than using a fire for cooking.

• Collect all cooking grease in a can and carry it out. Do not dump it on the ground.

• Bring firewood or collect deadfall for campfires. It is illegal to cut down trees, even if they appear to be dead.

• Collect “microtrash” by straining cook water and wash water. Then dump the debris in your garbage container. Small particles of food on the ground will attract insects and wildlife to the campsite.

• Keep campfires small.

• Be aware of local regulations; fire bans are common in summer and fall. Be careful with fires; do not leave them unattended. Put fires out every night.

• Do not bury trash; do not burn items that contain aluminum foil or any type of metal.

• After shopping, attempt to minimize the amount of packaging materials brought to camp. Bringing less material means less garbage to pack out.

• When you leave camp for the day, store all food and garbage securely inside vehicles, trailers or bear-proof containers. Leaving food and garbage out will attract animals--including bears. Animals will chew through bags and force open containers.

• At camp, collect human feces in a bag or a bucket; then carry it out.

Sanitary bags and chemicals are available at camp stores and on-line.

Human waste at thousands of campsites is an environmental and sanitary concern.

• Pack out all trash. Inspect your camp carefully after it is packed up.

Leave your camp cleaner than how you found it.

For more information about hunting and camping at state parks in Colorado, see: cpw.state.co.us

20 u Southwest Colorado Hunting Guide

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Southwest Colorado Hunting Guide u 21

Take care of game meat

Colorado Parks and Wildlife Ethical hunters not only make a clean kill, they don’t waste what they kill. So that means taking care of the meat.

It’s against the law to waste game meat. If you harvest an animal, it is your responsibility to remove and care for the meat.

Start preparing before you go into the field. Get in shape and be ready to carry heavy loads over rough terrain. Be sure you know how to field dress an animal. Numerous books and web sites are available to provide explanations. If you will be hunting with someone who is inexperienced, teach them the proper techniques.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife has produced two videos that explain big game field dressing techniques. See “How to field dress a big game animal,” on the web site; search for Videos.

Another video, “Down to the Bone”, explains how to bone out the meat of a big game animal in the field. By boning out the meat there is much less weight for a hunter to pack out. You can order the video by calling (303)297-1192; or by going to the “Buy and Apply” section of the CPW web site.

Get your gear organized.

Assemble all of the equipment you need for cleaning, hauling and caring for your meat. A short list includes: high quality knife, sharpening stone, bone saw, tarp, game bags, frame pack, paper towels, rope and rubber gloves.

Get your freezer ready, too. Be sure you have enough room to store the meat.

22 u Southwest Colorado Hunting Guide

Photo provided by: Colton Andersen

Make a clean kill Shot placement can affect meat quality. Try for a quick kill with a shot that will produce minimal meat damage. The best target: the heart/lungs area just behind the front quarter. A shot to that area will drop an animal quickly. Try to avoid shooting an animal in the gut or hindquarters. Do not try for head shots.

Also, be aware of where the animal might fall. Don’t shoot an animal in an area where you will not be able to retrieve it. Make sure you are capable of retrieving all the meat before it spoils, before it attracts predators and before you become exhausted.

If you can’t make a clean shot, don’t shoot!

The animal is down; now what?

When you bring down a big game animal with bullet or arrow, you have achieved one immediate goal, but you haven’t fulfilled all of your responsibilities as a hunter.

You still have to field dress, transport and butcher the meat properly.

Animals must be field dressed immediately.

That means removing the guts, heart, lungs, liver, esophagus and other internal organs. If you choose to bone out the meat, you do not need to “gut” the animal.

After removing all the entrails, roll the animal over to drain the body cavity, then use a clean rag to wipe off excess blood, bone chips, dirt, partially digested food particles and other foreign matter.

Only leave the hide on long enough to keep September 2018

the meat clean while dragging it on the ground or transporting it over dusty roads in the back of an open pickup.

Next, cool the meat as quickly as possible.

Skin the animal as soon as you reach camp.

Time is critical, even in cool weather. Without air circulating around the carcass the meat can sour quickly. Bacterial growth begins at any temperature over 38 degrees Fahrenheit.

Maggots can hatch in less than eight hours if the carcass is exposed to flies and other winged insects.

Remove the head, trim as much fat as possible, place the meat in game bags and hang them in the shade. Keep the meat dry. Do not allow meat to hang more than two days in the woods. If the weather is warm, get the carcass into cold storage as soon as possible.

Some people age big-game meat but it can be tricky because it has little fat. Deer and elk are 90-95 percent lean, and the leaner the meat the faster it deteriorates. Beef can be aged to become more tender and flavorful because the fat on a domestic cow protects the meat from rotting at 38 degrees. Because there are many opinions about aging big-game meat, CPW recommends that you do your own research on this topic.

When taking the animal home, keep it cold and out of sight. Do not strap an animal to the top of your car.

Game meat can last for several years in a good freezer if it is well-wrapped. The best wrapping is a vacuum seal. If you don’t have one, use freezer paper. It’s better than plastic in staving off freezer burn.

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