2015 Northwest Colorado Hunting Guide by Solas Publications, Inc.

2015 Northwest Colorado

HUNTING GUIDE

Vol. 16

FREE

Trophy gallery - OHV GUIDELINES - Regional outlook - How to hunt elk - know your gmu

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N O R THWEST CO LORAD O HUNTING GUIDE | 2015 F ALL E DITION

2015 Northwest Colorado

HUNTING GUIDE Table of Contents

The pronghorn challenge

The wily wapiti

Hunting these critters demands patience

There’s a reason so many hunters come to NW Colorado in search of a trophy elk

39 Illegal poaching a problem

Outlook for 2015 seasons in Meeker, Rangely and nearby areas

Poachers are stealing from other hunters

40 Hunting ‘muleys’

What you should know about mule deer

Hunting and wildlife management How hunting helps, not harms, wildlife

GMU overviews Find your GMU, find information you need

High-altitude hunting Well over a mile above sea-level, what you need to know to stay healthy and be successful

Steamboat Springs area outlook

Internet resources

Hot Sulphur Springs outlook

Long-term conservation efforts

Grand Junction area outlook

Other big-game species in NW Colorado More than just elk and deer are found here

Don’t be the guy who gets lost

Know where you are

Glenwood Springs area outlook

Hunting with horses

Use OHVs properly

Avoid these common mistakes

2835

Using the Internet to hone your hunting skills

How decades of conservation have contributed to NW Colorado’s incredible hunting

There are serious consequences for hunting in the wrong location

What to expect in Routt County

Find your way around the region

What to know if your hunt lands you in the Grand Junction region

Simple tricks to stay on track in the woods

Things to know if you’re hunting in the Glenwood Springs area

What you should know before you ride out

OHVs are a tool, how to use them to help—not hurt—your hunt Ignorance is no excuse when it comes to these costly hunting errors

Trophy Gallery Submitted photos from local outfitters and individuals provide inspiration for your hunt

MITCH BETTIS | PUBLISHER SEAN MCMAHON | EDITOR NIKI TURNER | PRODUCTION/DESIGN

N O RTHWEST CO LORAD O HUNTING GUIDE | 2015 F ALL ED ITION

Northwest colorado

3&/5"- )034&4 hunting and pack horses I Available Archery, Muzzleloading & Rifle Seasons

I Summer Horses Available I Guided Rides

I Trail Rides

MEEKER 970-878-4382

12900 County Road 8 • Meeker, CO 81641

WILLIAMS FORK 970-276-2048

53769 County Road 8 • Hayden, CO 81639

CRAIG 970-824-3468

781 County Road 15 • Craig, CO 81625 (Seely and Morapos call Craig Ranch)

SNOW MOUNTAIN 970-887-1999 STEAMBOAT 970-879-2306

835 River Road • Steamboat, CO 80477

DOTSERO (Sweetwater) 970-524-9742

13721 Colorado River Rd. • Gypsum, CO 81637

BUSINESS OFFICE 303-442-0258

911 Kimbark Street • Longmont, CO 80501

Permitted on White River BOE Routt License #217 EOE

N O R THWEST CO LORAD O H UNTING GUIDE | 2015 F ALL E DITION

NORTHWEST COLORADO

N O RTHWEST CO LORAD O H UNTING GUIDE | 2015 F ALL ED ITION

Outlook is Outstanding BY SEAN McMAHON

‘...the animals are fat and happy and the numbers look good.’ NORTHWEST COLORADO HUNTING GUIDE

~ Bill deVergie, Game Manager, Colorado Parks & Wildlife

This could truly be a landmark hunting season for all species in the Meeker area, following two mild winters in a row, and conditions are perfect, according to Bill deVergie, the Colorado Parks and Wildlife area game manager in Meeker. “Last year, there was lots of water, good forage, a cooler and wetter summer than normal and low winter kills,” he said. Last year’s hunting conditions were “outstanding” according to deVergie. This year conditions may be even better. “This past winter of 2014/15 was even better for wildlife than the previous winter,” deVergie said. “We have now had two mild winters in a row and the wildlife numbers are reflecting those conditions. “In 2013/14, we saw a mild winter followed by a very wet spring,” he said. “The fawns and calves all survived well and we saw an increase in overall population numbers. Now, with a similar mild winter in 2014/15 and an even wetter spring/summer of 2015, we are seeing another increase in population numbers for all big game species as well as grouse, rabbits and other wildlife. “We had an early freeze last year, but it wasn’t severe enough or long enough to force the animals down for the winter,” deVergie said. “We had great conditions to make it a tremendous year, but the warmer-thannormal weather kept the big animals high, which resulted in a slightly lower harvest.

“This year, the conditions are better, the number of animals seems to have increased and, once again, it looks like the weather will play the major role in the success rate of hunting. However, the pre-hunt conditions haven’t been any better in years. For the elk, deer, moose, bear, antelope and lions, the forage, the water supply and the winter survival rate were all very good, and deVergie said he expects a terrific season for all animals, pending some kind of major factor with the weather. “For the most part,” he said, “the animals are fat and happy and the numbers look good.” His area includes all of Rio Blanco County, all of Moffat County and parts of Garfield and Routt counties. “The upcoming hunting seasons could be better than we have seen for several years,” he said. “Our deer, elk, moose and antelope populations are all showing minimal winter kill and good calf and fawn survival rates. “These factors lead to a population increase, and with two good years in a row, we are setting up for a nice fall,” he said. “Plus, with all of the moisture and high quality forage on the summer ranges, antler growth should be good and there will be a chance to see some real nice bulls and bucks harvested this fall.” ELK HUNT EXCELLENT “It should be a very good season for elk;

the forage has been unbelievable and the population is real strong,” deVergie said. “We have seen good growth on the elk this season and I would expect that those looking for trophies will be able to find them this year. “If it stays warm now until late fall, the big animals are going to be higher up on the mountains, like the last two years,” he said. “If the temperatures drop early and the snow falls to a decent depth, the animals could be found in the lower elevations.” He added that there is good dispersal of animals this year and that there are no areas that hunters need to avoid. He pointed to a very good calf survival rate as well. “I expect that during the first and second rifle hunting season, the elk will still be high in the forest,” he said. “Hunters in Routt National Forest north of Craig should see one of the hot spots this season, but the numbers and conditions are so good, there are no bad areas.” The archery seasons for elk this year run Aug. 29 to Sept. 27 while the muzzleloader seasons run Sept. 12 to 20. Again this year, there are four rifle seasons, and, with few exceptions, the seasons for elk hunting are the same as those for deer. The muzzleloader rifle season runs Sept. 12-20; the second season runs Oct. 17-25 for bulls only; the third season runs Oct. 31 to Nov. 8 for bulls only; and the fourth season runs Nov. 11-15.

DEER NUMBERS UP, LICENSES DOWN Deer season should be as good if not better then last year, with a noticeable increase in numbers of animals over the past two years, deVergie said. The winter survival rate was good, and that is a big part of the puzzle. The number of licenses in the district will see a small decrease again this year, but that is not a sign that the numbers are down. “This is good for the hunter because the deer numbers are good but that with fewer hunters, there should be better opportunities to find the good deer,” he said. He speculated that a couple of the district’s hot spots for deer should be areas 3 and 301 (north and west of Craig) during the second and third hunts. He said the Piceance Basin should also be very good; not as good as years ago, but very good compared to recent years. MANY ANTELOPE IN NORTH The antelope outlook is consistent with last year, deVergie said. The numbers, he added, could be up slightly due to great fawn survival. There are no changes in the number of licenses, however. “The animals seem well dispersed between private and public lands,” he said, adding that the best animals in quality and quantity are likely to be found in OUTLOOK continued on 9

N O R THWEST CO LORAD O H UNTING GUIDE | 2015 F ALL E DITION

OUTLOOK from page 8 Moffat County and that the larger numbers of animals tend to be found in the grasslands north and west of Craig. “The numbers are really, really good this year; the herds are really doing well again this year,” he said. “The number of hunters is steady and it should be a great season for the hunters who do have antelope tags in the above areas.” The “goats,” as they are sometimes called, are likely to be found in the grasslands and in the sage brush, deVergie said, adding that there is a lot of private land in Northwest Colorado and that hunters need to be extra careful to ensure they are hunting on public land or have obtained permission from the landowner prior to going on their land to hunt. ONLY FOUR MOOSE LICENSES For moose, this is the third season for licenses in the district. Once again, there are four licenses available—two bull and two cow. Last year, all four moose were harvested. “Again, the moose are in really good numbers and they are well dispersed,” deVergie said. “We have seen some really big bulls already this year, and the best place to find the moose is the Marvine drainage. If we continue to do well and

MEEKER the numbers continue to increase, I would expect that we will slowly be increasing the number of licenses. He said that the hunts and when they will take place is up to the hunters, who must pick which license, which unit and which season they wish to hunt. “My guess is that all four moose will be harvested again this year,” he said. “The numbers are good and they could be anywhere.” TOO MANY BEARS Along with most of the other area game managers in the northwestern part of the state, deVergie urges all hunters to buy a bear license for when they go hunting for other game animals. “We have way too many bears, and they are doing very well again this year,” he said. “We have had lots of reports of bears and we know the numbers are really high almost everywhere in the district. “Last year, a few of the early-spring berries were lost to an early frost,” he said. “But the overall number of berries and the numbers of acorns have made it so we increased the number of licenses again— to present the hunters with good opportunities to take a bear in addition to the

other big game animal they may be hunting.” He summed up the potential bear hunting by saying, “There are a lot of bears out there and there are a lot of licenses. We could sure use the hunters’ help as we have the goal to decrease the number of bears by quite a few all over our district and in quite a few other districts in the northwest corner of the state. LIONS REMAIN ELUSIVE The mountain lions, the most elusive of the area’s big game animals, have had a good year, and, in general, they do very well within our district, deVergie said. “Hunters did very well last year, and we were able to kill our quota,” he said. “As long as the quota of lion hasn’t been met, we will continue to sell those licenses. And if we meet our quota, the lion licenses are still valid in other areas. He said this appears to be a “normal” year for lions with sightings early in the summer but few since that time. “These are really pretty solitary animals, but those who have licenses in the Piceance Basin should find there are good numbers and that they have a good chance of finding a mountain lion,” he said. “The best chance of finding them is

to find out where there are large numbers of deer.” BEWARE OF WEATHER, WEAR YOUR BLAZE ORANGE In addition, deVergie wanted to warn hunters of the often quick-changing weather that hunters can find in the district, particularly later in the season. He also voiced concern about hunters wearing the 500 square inches of hunter’s orange so as not to confuse another hunter with one of the big game animals. “Hunters not only need 500 square inches of orange on their body, but also orange head protection that is visible from 360 degrees,” deVergie said. “It is also important to remember that if a hunter has a backpack, that the hunter’s orange is visible over the pack because a backpack slung over somebody’s body orange makes that number of square inches invisible and the hunter could get cited for a violation.” GOOD SIGNS OVERALL Summing up, deVergie said, “When you see the rabbits and other small mammals increasing in numbers like they have, this generally means the overall range is in great condition.”

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N O RTHWEST CO LORAD O H UNTING GUIDE | 2015 F ALL E D ITIO N

MEEKER

Hunting and wildlife management in Colorado BY COLORADO PARKS & WILDLIFE

Hunting provides tens of thousands of people in Colorado a unique recreational experience. But hunting goes far beyond the realm of recreation—it also provides an important wildlife management tool. When few humans roamed the Rockies and the Great Plains more than 150 years ago, wildlife could move over hundreds of thousands of square miles of open range. But while wild critters still have room to move around in Colorado, their interface with humans requires the attention of professional wildlife managers. “Wildlife management covers a wide range of issues,” explains Ron Velarde, northwest regional manager for Colorado Parks and Wildlife. “We look at wildlife populations, winter range protection, human/wildlife conflicts, law enforcement and more.” The first wildlife managers worked to protect wildlife populations. In the late 1800s, many game animals and birds were nearly wiped out by market hunters and pioneers who hunted to provide

basic sustenance. Fortunately, conservation-minded hunters helped pass wildlife laws that restricted hunting and fishing. Those laws, many of which still hold today, set seasons, methods of take, bag and possession limits and other restrictions. Those laws proved critical to

NG I T N U H HING & FIS NSES LICE

restoring deer, elk, trout, wild turkeys, pronghorns, bighorn sheep and many other species. “Now we can examine important biological issues such as over-population, health of winter range and diseases,” Velarde says.

The agency’s professional biologists are continually engaged in numerous research projects and all are designed to help maintain healthy wildlife populations. Among the issues wildlife managers study are reproduction, survival rates, migration patterns, habitat and nutritional needs. “A lot of the work is done on the ground by wildlife officers and biologists who go out into the field to collect data. They go out at every time of year, day and night and in every kind of weather. It’s hard, demanding work,” Velarde says. After the information is collected, researchers analyze the data to determine trends and solutions to problems. During the last decade, the advancement of computer modeling and software technology has greatly enhanced researchers’ ability to evaluate and use data. That combination of on-the-ground work and computer analysis helped wildlife biologists recognize in the late

MANAGEMENT continued on 11

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N O R THWEST CO LORAD O H UNTING GUIDE | 2015 F ALL E DITION

Bonded & Insured

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SAFETY

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1990s that Colorado’s deer population was struggling. In 1999, based on that information, the agency moved to limit the number of deer licenses every year. Deer herds recovered after that action. In another example from the late 1990s, biologists using improved modeling technology learned that Colorado’s elk population was much larger than previously thought. With that information, more licenses for cow elk were issued for a few years and now the elk population is in line with what biologists consider to be suitable to Colorado’s habitat. Adhering to sound wildlife management practices, the agency then reduced the number of cow elk licenses in most areas of Colorado. Wildlife management also includes extensive work to protect non-game species such as river otters, lynx, peregrine falcons, native trout and dozens of others. “With better technology we have more tools that allow us to get better results,” Velarde says. Parks and Wildlife also uses high-technology in law enforcement to catch poachers and others who violate wildlife laws. Some of the tools now available to wildlife officers: aerial surveillance, night-vision goggles, DNA analysis, databases of hunting licenses, and cooperative agreements with wildlife agencies throughout the country. Ambitious wildlife management, however, doesn’t come cheap. Fortunately, hunters and anglers are willing to fund this important work through their annual purchases of hunting and fishing licenses. License revenue in Colorado funds about 75 percent of all the agency’s wildlife activities. Professional wildlife management assures that hunting and fishing opportunities will be available 100 years from now, says Velarde. “In Colorado we have a great heritage of wildlife conservation and hunting tradition,” Velarde says, “At Colorado Parks and Wildlife we are working to make sure that continues.” For more information: cpw.state.co.us.

We all pay the cost to repair the equipment. Shot insulators, wires and poles result in electric service interruptions and inconvenience. The inconvenience could be critical if it interrupts a life support system. IT’S ALSO EXPENSIVE IF YOU GET CAUGHT! There are penalties for intentional damage to utility property. IT’S DANGEROUS! Live wires can burn or electrocute when they fall to the ground. An innocent person could become a victim — so could the shooter. LOOK UP BEFORE YOU SHOOT! SAVE A LIFE! THANKS!

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N O RTHWEST CO LORAD O H UNTING GUIDE | 2015 F ALL E D ITIO N

MEEKER

High-altitude hunting demands new skills for success BY COLORADO PARKS & WILDLIFE SPECIAL TO THE HUNTING GUIDE

Every year more than a few hunters must be rescued from the wilds and high country of Colorado. Hunters get trapped by snowstorms, injured in various types of accidents or simply get lost in the woods. Hunters must remember that altitude can affect their health and their ability to move easily. And in the Rockies, weather can change quickly with fast-moving storms dumping a couple of feet of snow in just a few hours. Be prepared for all types of weather—wet, cold, dry and hot. Take appropriate clothing and the right camping gear. If possible, especially for those coming from lower altitudes, spend a few days at higher elevation just before the hunting season to allow your body to acclimate. Heavy snowfall can occur starting in Septem-

ber. High-country hunters, especially those who backpack into wilderness areas and have to get out on foot, need to watch the weather closely and pick their escape routes before they choose a campsite. Snow can obliterate trails or make them impassable. Survival experts recommend that you never go into a wilderness area alone. Unavoidable accidents do happen that make self-rescue impossible. Learn how to use a compass, take a map of the area and orient yourself before leaving camp. Explain to your hunting partners where you’ll be going and when you plan to return. Always carry a survival kit and know how to use it. Such a kit should include a knife, waterproof matches, fire starter, compass, reflective survival blanket, high-energy food, water purification tablets, first aid kit, whistle and unbreakable signal mirror. If you get lost, sit down, regain your composure and think for a few minutes. Many times people who are lost can figure out

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where they went wrong and make it back to camp. If you truly don’t know where you are, stay put. Survival experts explain that survival is 80 percent attitude, 10 percent equipment and 10 percent skill and knowledge. If you are caught in a storm or forced to spend the night out, there are three keys to survival: shelter, fire and signal. If you can’t find camp and have to overnight in the wild, your first priority is shelter. Even if you have nothing else going for you—no fire or food—an adequate shelter that is warm and dry will keep you alive until rescuers find you. That means anything from an overhanging rock shelf to a cave, a timber lean-to or snow cave. Always prepare for the worst and build a shelter that will last. Cut boughs from evergreen trees and use them as padding and for covering. Dress in layers and take extras with you. Put on layers before you become chilled and take off a layer before you become damp with perspiration. Staying warm is a process of staying dry. Do not

dress in cotton—it becomes wet easily and is difficult to dry. Use wool, wool blends or synthetic clothing that wicks moisture away from skin. Be sure to carry a quality stocking cap that is made of wool or synthetic fleece. You lose up to 45 percent of your heat around your head, neck and shoulders. Winter headgear should conserve heat, breathe and be water repellent. The old saying, “If your feet are cold put your hat on” is good advice. Use water-proof footgear, wool or synthetic socks, and always remember to carry gloves. Fire is the second priority if you are forced to stay out overnight. Know how to build a fire even in wet or snowy conditions. That means carrying a lighter, metal matches or wooden matches in waterproof containers and a fireSKILLS continued on 1 5

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Internet resources for todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hunter BY COLORADO PARKS & WILDLIFE SPECIAL TO THE HUNTING GUIDE

Hunters looking for information to help with their big game adventure will find plenty of helpful material on the Colorado Parks and Wildlife website, 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. A popular feature is â&#x20AC;&#x153;Elk Hunting University.â&#x20AC;? Jim Bulger, hunter outreach coordinator, has worked with hunters, huntmasters, biologists and field officers to compile 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: cpw.state.co.us/learn/Pages/EH U.aspx. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re providing hunters with helpful information that will make their hunts more enjoyable and productive,â&#x20AC;? Bulger said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;These articles are not just aimed at novices, even veteran hunters will benefit from them.â&#x20AC;?

Also available on the website are hunting guides for each of the agencyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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 website also offers statistical tables that provide complete harvest details for all big game species, including method of take and a season-byseason break down. Go to the Big Game section of the website and click on the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Statisticsâ&#x20AC;? link. Hunters can also check if theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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. Anyone can also sign up to receive the Insider newsletter which provides press releases and various notices via email throughout the year at: cpw.state.co.us/aboutus/Pages/CPWInsider.aspx.

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N O RTHWEST CO LORAD O H UNTING GUIDE | 2015 F ALL E D ITIO N

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SKILLS from page 12 starter—such as steel wool, cotton or sawdust saturated with paint thinner or alcohol. Camping stores sell a variety of fire starters. Experiment with various materials before going into the field. A fire will warm your body, dry your clothes, cook your food, and help you to signal for help. The third priority is signaling. This can be done by fire—flames at night or smoke from green branches during the day; with a signal mirror in bright sunshine; and with sound— hence the whistle. You can live up to three or four weeks without food. You will, however, be more efficient and alert, and have more confidence if you are able to satisfy your hunger. So carry some high-energy food in your survival kit. Water is more important to survival than food. Your body needs about three quarts of water a day to metabolize its energy reserves and carry away waste. Carry iodine tablets to add to water taken from streams or snow banks. Avoid drinking ice-cold water which can cause your body temperature to drop. Altitude sickness is another danger. Hunters who are fatigued, cold or exhausted are vulnerable. At the very least, altitude sickness can ruin a hunting trip; at the worst, it can be fatal. Hunters who are coming to Colorado from low altitude areas should be especially careful. Take time to acclimate and do not move quickly above 8,000 feet. Symptoms of altitude sickness include shortness of breath, fatigue, nausea, headache and loss of appetite. To avoid altitude sickness get in shape, limit alcohol consumption, acclimate for a few days before the start of the season and drink lots of water. Staying hydrated is a key factor in reducing your chances of getting altitude sickness. Hunters with any heart problems should be extra careful in Colorado’s high country. If you have a heart condition you should keep any prescribed medication with you at all times. Inform your hunting partners of your condition. Finally, be sure to leave accurate information at home about where you’re hunting and when you’ll return.

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Long-term conservation efforts saved Colorado’s wildlife from a dire future BY COLORADO PARKS & WILDLIFE SPECIAL TO THE HUNTING GUIDE

Many early conservationists were hunters, a trend that continues today.

In Colorado 150 years ago wildlife faced a dire future. To provide food for miners and settlers streaming west during the gold rush and land rush of the mid- and late1800s, market hunters slaughtered deer, elk, bear, buffalo, bighorns, pronghorn and any type of bird that could provide meat. Fish fared no better as nets and even dynamite were set in rivers and streams. Colorado’s wildlife was decimated and many people thought some species were gone forever. Fortunately, farsighted conservationists and hunters decided that strong action was needed. In 1870, the Colorado Territorial legislature passed the first wildlife protection law: It banned the use of nets for taking fish. In 1879, the first wildlife protection agency was established. With a law-enforcement agency in place, the legislature was able to set seasons and bag limits for most species. Some of the most far-reaching laws included bans on hunting pronghorn and bighorn sheep. The bans remained in effect for more than 50 years. Today, Colorado is renowned for its wildlife. Hunters come from throughout the country to hunt geese, turkeys, deer, elk, pheasants, pronghorn, bears and mountain lions. Rivers and streams attract anglers from around the world. Birders travel to Colorado to watch the mating dance of sage grouse, the stopover of sandhill cranes in valleys throughout Colorado, and to look for the hundreds of bird species that live on the eastern plains. Other wildlife watchers hope for a glimpse of big game animals, bats, the elusive lynx or the solitary moose. Many of the early wildlife conservationists also were hunters, so much of the early effort to restore wildlife focused on game species. By the 1950s, Colorado’s deer and elk herds were healthy; hunting for pronghorn and

bighorn sheep was opened. Fishing improved as rivers and streams were cleaned up and as hatchery techniques improved. Starting in the late 1960s, scientists and the public recognized that the health of wildlife provided an indication of the overall health of the environment. By the 1970s, the agency, formerly known as the Colorado Division of Wildlife, was no longer just a “hook and bullet” outfit. The agency broadened its role to become the caretaker for all wildlife species in Colorado. Biologists were employed to learn about nongame species and the habitats that supported them. They also started looking at endangered and threatened species and how those animals could be restored or reintroduced. One of the most important efforts brought the peregrine falcon back from the brink of extinction. Starting in 1978, the wildlife agency joined other agencies across the nation in an effort to save the peregrines. Because of DDT use, eggs were brittle. When a falcon sat down to incubate, the eggs would crack and the embryos would perish. With that knowledge, wildlife biologists found peregrine nesting sites and went to them when the mother was out hunting. “Dummy” eggs were placed in the nests and the real eggs were taken to a laboratory where they were hatched in captivity. After the chicks were born they were placed back with the mother. This was no easy job. Peregrines build nests in cracks on sheer cliff walls. Researchers often rappelled hundreds of feet to get to the sites. The project was successful, and today peregrine falcons live throughout Colorado and their numbers are growing. The effort is still hailed as one of the most important environmental victories in North America. Since then, the agency has worked to help restore populations of river otters, Canada lynx, the black-footed ferret, the greater prairie chicken and others. Currently, Colorado Parks and Wildlife is protecting wildlife habitat throughout Colorado through purchase of land, habitat improvement efforts and with conservation easements. Not only will those conservation efforts help game animals, they’ll also provide more elbow room for sage grouse, red fox, eagles and most other wildlife species in Colorado.

N O R THWEST CO LORAD O H UNTING GUIDE | 2015 F ALL E DITION

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Other big game hunting species in Colorado BY COLORADO PARKS & WILDLIFE SPECIAL TO THE HUNTING GUIDE

Deer and elk are the most commonly hunted species in Colorado. But hunters also go to the high country to pursue other magnificent big game animals: bighorn sheep, mountain goats, bears, moose and mountainlions. 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. 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 7,000 and the population has dropped slightly in the past few years. For the 2014 season, Colorado Parks and Wildlife issued only 262 licenses for the entire state. Some 232 hunters took a total of 132 animals, including 109 rams and 23 ewes for a 57 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, many hunters have waited more than 10 years for a license. The preferred habitat of bighorns is steep, rocky

slopes with little vegetation. “They are very challenging to hunt,” says Scott Wait, senior terrestrial biologist for the agency in southwest Colorado. While not meaning to be discouraging, Wait doesn’t mince words about the realities of hunting for sheep. Preseason scouting is essential. “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. 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.

Welcome Hunters! SPECIES continued on 20

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SPECIES from page 17

All the herds in the state are closely monitored by agency biologists. Colorado is also home to desert bighorn sheep. Statewide, the population of this species is growing, although there are only an estimated 615 animals in the state, all on the western edge of Colorado. Only 12 ram licenses were issued in 2014 and 11 animals were harvested. 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. Un-

fortunately, 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 1,400. In 2014, 215 licenses were issued and 137 goats were harvested, for a 78 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. BLACK BEARS It’s estimated that from 16,000 to 18,000 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. Most bears are killed by hunters 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. Bearonly rifle licenses, obtained through the draw, usually require preference points SPECIES continued on 22

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SPECIES from page 20

COURTESY PHOTO

Mountain lions are some of the most elusive big game animals in Colorado (above). Hunters should be extremely careful identifying their targets to avoid hitting a moose (right). While moose licenses are available, many moose are inadvertently killed in cases of mistaken identity.

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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. In 2014, some 17,000 hunters harvested about 1,400 bears, an 8 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. Remove the hide as fast as possible after the kill and trim away the fat. Then get the meat on ice as soon as possible. In warm weather, 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. The population of lions in the state is estimated to be from 3,000 to 7,000. For the 2013-14 season just more than 2,100 licenses were issued and 442 lions were taken by hunters. 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 2,400 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. Moose licenses are difficult to obtain and more than 11,000 hunters annually apply for licenses. Only 268 licenses were issued in 2014. A total of 209 animals were taken during the season for an 82 percent success rate. For more information: cpw.state.co.us.

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Be sure you know where youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re hunting BY COLORADO PARKS & WILDLIFE SPECIAL TO THE HUNTING GUIDE

Harvesting a deer or elk in the wrong Game Management Unit is not only illegal, it can be very expensive. 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. The officer congratulated them and then asked to see their licenses. After looking at the licenses he asked exactly where theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d hunted. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Well, we were just over that ridge there,â&#x20AC;? the husband said, pointing to the west. The officer shook his head slightly and said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Well, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got some bad news. You were hunting in the wrong unit.â&#x20AC;? The man protested and attempted to point out their location on the basic map thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s printed in the Big Game Hunting brochure. The map provides little detail, shows only the location of 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 milesâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;as the crow fliesâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;away from where they were authorized to hunt. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been hunting here for years,â&#x20AC;? the man said.

MEEKER

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 coupleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hunting privileges in Colorado were subsequently suspended. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There is no excuse for hunting in the wrong unit,â&#x20AC;? says Matt Thorpe, area wildlife manager in Durango. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Most unit boundaries have been in place for years and they seldom change.â&#x20AC;? Despite that fact, hunting in the wrong GMU is a common mistake. Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s how to make sure you are hunting in the right unit: â&#x20AC;˘ Go to page 6 in the Northwest Colorado Hunting Guide and find your GMU number. â&#x20AC;˘ Buy a high-quality topographic map that includes the GMU area and locate the boundaries; then mark the map. â&#x20AC;˘ 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. â&#x20AC;˘ If you have any 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. GMU descriptions can also be found on the Parks and Wildlife website: cpw.state.co.us.

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Hunting with horses: What you should know BY COLORADO PARKS & WILDLIFE SPECIAL TO THE HUNTING GUIDE

If you plan to use horses on your hunting trip, please be aware of the following: • You must have a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection issued by an accredited veterinarian 30 days prior to entry into Colorado. Include the physical address of the horse in your state and the location where the horse will be in Colorado. • A negative equine infectious anemia test is required 12 months prior to entry. Date of the test, results, the lab and the accession number must be listed on the veterinary inspection form. For questions, contact the State Veterinarian’s Office, 303-239-4161. • Horses are required to have a brand inspection when transported over 75 miles totally within the boundaries of Colorado, and every time they leave the state. Contact the Brands Office at 1-303-869-9160. • Hay, straw and mulch must be certified as “weed free.” Only the following products are allowed on national forests in Colorado: cubed and pelletized hay, steamed grain, treated/steamed mulch from tree fibers. For information, call the Colorado Dept. of Agriculture at 1-303-239-4149; or for a list of regulations and vendors, go to www.colorado.gov/ag/dpi. • Don’t tie horses to trees in camp. This causes tree damage and vegetation around the tree to be trampled. • Highline or picket your stock. If you use a highline, please use tree-saver straps to avoid damaging trees. • Move horses often to keep them from trampling vegetation or overgrazing an area. • Keep stock 100 feet or more from lakes, streams, wetlands and trails. • Restrictions on horse travel in wilderness areas are often greater than in other areas. Be sure to read notices at trailheads. Many wilderness areas carry maximum group size limits, which regulate the number of livestock and people that are allowed to travel to-

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Hunting with horses can make packing in and out a lot easier, but there are things to know to protect your horses and the environment.

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Use OHVs properly, know the local regulations BY COLORADO PARKS & WILDLIFE SPECIAL TO THE HUNTING GUIDE

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, local regulations and new 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 303-7911920, or go to 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

ing, 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, explained that 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. COURTESY PHOTO OHVs are noisy and cause animals to move deep into inaccessible territory. Just one vehicle can cause problems with the local forest service or BLM office prior to your trip to make sure you understand travel regulations in for numerous hunters. “There is getting to be a real backlash against OHVs your hunting area. Federal fines, up to $500 per incident, may be levied for violations of travel manage- from people who actually get out there and hunt the way they’re supposed to,” Thorpe said. ment 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 huntOHV continued on 26

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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 and 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. • OHVs cannot be driven into 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. For more information and to register OHVs, see: cpw.state.co.us.

N O R THWEST CO LORAD O H UNTING GUIDE | 2015 F ALL E DITION

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Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t make these common hunting mistakes BY COLORADO PARKS & WILDLIFE SPECIAL TO THE HUNTING GUIDE

Every hunting season, officers for Colorado Parks and Wildlife hand out thousands of tickets for violations that cost hunters hundreds of thousands of dollars. While some of those tickets are for flagrant violations of wildlife regulations and hunting laws, many more are for minor violations that could have been avoided. Hunters are reminded that not only can they be fined for violations, they can also lose their hunting privileges in Colorado and the 44 other states that cooperatively participate in a wildlife compact agreement. Rick Basagoitia, area wildlife manager for the San Luis Valley, explained that hunters need to set aside some time to review the Colorado Big Game Brochure. The brochure explains many of the common violations and how to avoid them. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Hunters must know their responsibilities when they get into the field,â&#x20AC;? Basagoitia said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Wildlife laws are written to protect a valuable resource and for safety.â&#x20AC;?

Following are some of the more common violations that occur every year: â&#x20AC;˘ Not wearing fluorescent orange: You must wear at least 500 inches of daylight fluorescent orange, including a head covering of the same color that can be seen from all directions. Mesh garments are legal but not recommended. Camouflage orange does not qualify. â&#x20AC;˘ Carrying loaded firearms in or on vehicles: Rifles must not have ammunition in the chamber while in or on any motor vehicles. For those riding OHVs, weapons (rifles and bows) must also be in a closed case and fully unloaded (chamber and magazine). Most accidents involving firearms occur in or near vehicles. â&#x20AC;˘ Shooting from a road: Before firing a shot, you must be at least 50 feet off of a designated state or county road, and just off forest service or BLM roads. You also cannot shoot across a road. â&#x20AC;˘ License not voided: After you kill an animal, you must void the license immediately. â&#x20AC;˘ Improperly attached carcass tag: The carcass tag must be attached to the ani-

mal. The best way is to cut a hole in the hide and attach with a tie. It is OK to wait until you get the animal back to camp or to your vehicle to attach the carcass tag. â&#x20AC;˘ No evidence of sex: Be sure to leave evidence of sex naturally attached to the carcass. Evidence includes the head, the vulva or the scrotum. â&#x20AC;˘ Waste of game meat: Big game meat can begin to spoil at 38 degrees. To keep the carcass cool, remove the hide as soon as possible after the kill to allow for air to circulate around the meat. Reduce the mass of the carcass by quartering the meat or boning out the meat. Place the meat in a cooler as soon as possible. Even in cold weather, a carcass should not hang outside for more than 36 hours. Remember: Because game meat contains very little fat, it cannot be aged like beef. The so-called â&#x20AC;&#x153;gamey tasteâ&#x20AC;? is caused by spoilage, not because the animal is wild. To learn how to field dress a big game animal, see the video at: cpw.state.co.us/learn/Pages/HuntVideo s.aspx. â&#x20AC;˘ Shooting a spike-antlered elk: Hunters who hold a cow elk tag some-

times shoot spike bulls. Be sure of your target. If you are shooting at a long distance or in low light conditions, it can be difficult to see spike antlers. If you are not absolutely sure, do not shoot. â&#x20AC;˘ Illegally tagging an animal: You can only place a tag on an animal that you shot. You cannot trade tags with other license holders, or use tags of other license holders. For more information: cpw.state.co.us.

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Pronghorn present a unique challenge BY COLORADO PARKS & WILDLIFE SPECIAL TO THE HUNTING GUIDE

Big herds, big bucks found in Colorado’s northwest corner Serious pronghorn hunters are willing to wait years for the opportunity to hunt trophy bucks in the best pronghorn units in Colorado. All Colorado pronghorn hunting tags are issued by draw. The average buck tag requires two to three preference points, but tags for premium units can require five or more points. Doe tags are easier to draw, but most hunters still need at least one point. The majority of pronghorns are in northwest Colorado and on the eastern plains. Small populations of Pronghorn also are found in North Park, Middle Park, South Park and the San Luis Valley. Demand for tags in the northwest region is usually highest, so more points are required. There are two reasons more

hunters apply in the northwest: big herds with big bucks. In eastern Colorado there are also large herds and trophy bucks. Most of the land, however, is private with the exception of some isolated pockets of public land including the Pawnee National Grasslands in the northeast and the Comanche National Grasslands in the southeast. The good news is that many ranchers and farmers in eastern Colorado are willing to grant permission to those who want to hunt pronghorn. The best advice for a hunter to gain access to private land is to ask permission well in advance of the season. Never wait until opening day. If properly asked in advance, many landowners are willing to allow pronghorn hunting. Some will even offer directions to the best pronghorn locations, and information about watering holes and road access. In 2014 for all manners of take, 14,600 hunters harvested about 7,500 pronghorn for a 51 percent success rate. About 73,000 pronghorns exist in the state.

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STALKING PRONGHORNS Compared to deer or elk, pronghorn are easier to locate. They roam wide-open rangeland, they travel in large visible herds, and they do not hide in thick vegetation. But that doesn’t mean they’re easy to hunt. Pronghorn evolved with keen eyesight and the ability to outrun predators. The vision of a pronghorn compares to a human looking through 8X binoculars. Pronghorns’ ability to quickly burst into

a sprint of more than 60 miles per hour helps them to stay out of range of even expert marksmen. So what can a hunter do to increase the odds of bagging one of these unique game animals? The three major strategies are stalking, ambush and flagging. If it is said that deer and elk hunters

PRONGHORN continued on 37

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PRONGHORN from page 36 must be patient, pronghorn hunters must learn to be REALLY patient. A stalk may include crawling on your belly for an hour only to have the animals spook and move a half-mile away. Experts estimate that only one out of five stalks gets the hunter close enough for a shot. A hunter who sees the animals before being seen gains a huge advantage. That means avoiding ridge tops and hills. Pronghorn can spot objects on a ridgeline at great distances. It is also important to consider wind direction to avoid sending a foreign odor in the direction of a pronghorn. Winds tend to change direction less frequently on the wide-open prairie. But for hunters, avoiding being seen by a pronghorn is most important. The initial part of a stalk requires a hunter to move through draws and along the back sides of ridges to avoid detection. Then prepare to crawl the final few hundred yards through yucca, sagebrush, cactus and cow pies to get close enough for a shot. Some hunters sew leather patches on the knees of their pants and on the elbows of their jackets for added protection against rocks and sharp objects.

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Some hunters prefer to wait for pronghorns to come to them. Water holes and fence lines are the best places to wait in ambush. Pronghorns alternate between feeding grounds and watering holes at varying times of the day, but their movements are unpredictable. Fence lines are good places to wait because although pronghorns have the ability to leap fences, they generally do not jump over unless they are really pushed. They prefer to crawl under or find a way around fences. Searching for a place where pronghorn go under a fence can put a hunter in a great position to wait in ambush. This requires advance scouting to find crossing locations and good hiding places. Some pronghorns will react with curiosity to shiny things and moving objects that draw attention. “Flagging” is the technique of trying to pique a pronghorn’s curiosity and getting the animal to come to you. The concept behind flagging apparently originated when early settlers were crossing the plains and noticed that antelope readily approached covered wagons. After you spot an animal, walk back and forth in an adjacent downwind draw

while hoisting a white handkerchief on a stick. Curious animals will approach right away. If they don’t, they probably won’t come in at all. Some people have tried sitting still with a flag flapping in the wind above them. But stationary objects tend to go unnoticed. Shot selection is extremely important. Pronghorn present a small target. At a weight of just over 100 pounds, the vital target area is about the size of a small plate. Shots are usually much longer for pronghorn than other big game animals, especially on windy days when the animals are more alert. The average pronghorn hunter should know the capabilities of his or her rifle. A scope is essential. The ideal situation for any hunter is to get a shot when the animal is standing still. Don’t try to shoot a running pronghorn. Archers and muzzleloaders face even greater challenges. Most successful archers use blinds or decoys or both. Blinds are best used around water holes or known crossings along fence lines. A blind should be set up at least one week before planning to hunt to give the animals a chance to become accustomed

to it. Decoys cut in the shape of a pronghorn outline have been known to attract aggressive bucks that want to chase challengers out of their territories. Some bow hunters use decoys large enough to hide behind. But decoys also attract other hunters and are not recommended for use during rifle seasons for safety reasons. Since the time of Lewis and Clark, early settlers called pronghorns “antelope.” Pronghorns, however, are a unique species found only in North America. Their historic range is west of the Mississippi River from southern Canada to central Mexico. Biologists estimate there were 30-40 million pronghorn in North America prior to European settlement. By the 1920s, there were fewer than 40,000. Hunting laws and sound wildlife management practices helped pronghorn rebound. In the early ’60s there were only about 15,000 pronghorn left in Colorado. That number climbed to 30,000 in the ’70s, and stands at about 73,000 today. For more information about hunting in Colorado, see: cpw.state.co.us.

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Hunting the wily wapiti BY COLORADO PARKS & WILDLIFE SPECIAL TO THE HUNTING GUIDE

The popular hunting magazines often display colorful photographs of huge bull elk standing in open meadows presenting easy targets. The reality in the mountains of Colorado, however, is far different. Stalking the wapiti is challenging and most hunters won’t get easy shots. You’re more likely to find elk on a steep hillside, in a dark ravine, or in thick timber than standing out in the open. The hunter success rate for all manners of take in Colorado was 19 percent in 2014, and a total of 42,000 were harvested. A total of 218,000 hunters went after elk last season. It’s estimated that there are about 280,000 elk in Colorado, the most of any state. If weather is warm, elk stay spread out over vast areas at high elevations at and above timberline. In those conditions hunters need to work extra hard. When snow falls, elk will usually start to move, bunch up, and look for food sources at lower elevations or on slopes where veg-

SEAN MCMAHON PHOTO

etation is exposed. However, the snow fall must be significant; usually more than a foot of snow must be on the ground to get elk moving. Hunters must get off their OHVs and hunt slowly and quietly far from any road. Elk are very smart, move quickly at any hint of danger and hide in rugged terrain. Compounding the challenge for hunters is the fact that elk typically gather in groups of 10 or more. If one is spooked they all move and they can run easily for a mile or more. Elk are most active during the night

and are likely to be grazing in transition areas—meadows next to heavy timber, where different types of vegetation meet and just above or below ridgelines. Hunters should watch these areas at first light and at dusk. During the day, hunters need to move into the dark timber—cool north-facing slopes—and not be hesitant to hunt in difficult areas. Hunters should move as quietly as possible for short distances and then scan the woods for 10 minutes or more before moving again. Even in dense forest it’s a good idea to use

binoculars so you can discern subtle movement or unusual colors in the trees. If you find the areas where animals graze at night it’s likely that you’ll find them in adjacent areas during the day. When hunting in areas with roads, move far above or far below the roads to find elk. In areas where two roads are in close proximity, locate the most difficult terrain in between. Line up your shot carefully because elk are difficult to knock down. The best shots are delivered in the critical area of the lungs and heart just behind and below the front quarters. Never try for a head shot, as this can result in only wounding the animal. To learn more about hunting elk, check out “Elk Hunting University” on the Colorado Parks and Wildlife web site: This program gives extensive information regarding all phases of elk hunting: cpw.state.co.us/learn/Pages/ EHU.aspx. To learn how to field dress big game and sight-in a rifle, see the videos at: cpw.state.co.us/learn/Pages/ Hunt Videos.aspx.

N O R THWEST CO LORAD O H UNTING GUIDE | 2015 F ALL E DITION

Illegal poaching a major problem; hunters urged to report violations BY COLORADO PARKS & WILDLIFE SPECIAL TO THE HUNTING GUIDE

Number of poached animals estimated to be almost as high as legitimate kills. Poaching continues to be a major issue in Colorado. Some national studies indicate that poachers kill almost as many animals as legitimate hunters do during legal seasons. If poachers kill even half that number each year, the problem is serious because they are stealing game from licensed hunters, robbing businesses and taxpayers of revenues generated by hunting, and depriving us all of a valuable resource—our wildlife. And it’s not just game animals that poachers steal— they also kill threatened, endangered and non-game species. Bob Thompson, assistant chief of law enforcement for Colorado Parks and Wildlife, says most poachers are not poor people trying to feed their families. Some kill for the thrill of killing, others for trophies. Some kill for money — trophy heads, antlers and bear gall bladders can be worth thousands of dollars. Poaching is the illegal taking or possession of any game, fish or non-game wildlife. Hunting out-of-season or outside of the game management unit for which you have a valid license, hunting at night with a spotlight or taking more animals than the legal limit all constitute poaching. A non-resident who buys a

resident license can also be convicted for poaching. Flock shooting big game is tantamount to poaching since it usually leaves multiple dead and wounded animals. “Hunters who keep shooting into a herd of animals should realize that not every animal goes down right away when it is hit,” said Thompson “Not only is it unethical hunting, it leads to a lot of game waste, which in itself is illegal.” Hunters who witness such violations should report them to wildlife officers, local law enforcement or call Operation Game Thief, a nonprofit organization that pays rewards to people whose tips lead to an arrest being made or a citation being issued to poachers. The number to call is 1-877-265-6648, which also is printed on carcass tags. Tips can also be made to the Colorado Parks and Wildlife via e-mail at game.thief@state.co.us. Rewards are paid for information which leads to an arrest or a citation being issued—$500 in cases involving big game or endangered species, $250 for turkey and $100 for information on other wildlife violations; although awards of up to $1,000 may be given in significant poaching cases. “We depend on concerned citizens to report poaching activity. We need the public’s eyes and ears to help catch poachers,” Thompson said. Since 1981, Operation Game Thief has received more than 5,000 reports of poaching, resulting in more than 900 convictions. These convictions netted

more than $800,000 in fines, and have resulted in the seizure of more than 1,300 illegally-taken animals. During this time period, rewards of more than $150,000 have been paid to citizens who reported suspected illegal activity. For more information: cpw.state.co.us.

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Mule deer, not as easy a target as you think

SEAN MCMAHON PHOTO

BY COLORADO PARKS & WILDLIFE SPECIAL TO THE HUNTING GUIDE

Hunting mule deer in Colorado is always challenging. Hunters can improve their success by understanding the habits of these critters. During the 2014 seasons, for all manners of take, 76,000 hunters harvested 33,000 mule deer for a 44 percent success rate. It is estimated that Colorado is home to about

420,000 deer. In the mountains and foothills, mule deer don’t spend much time in heavy timber. They are primarily browsers and prefer aspen and forest edges where there are plenty of low shrubs, small trees, oak brush and varied vegetation types. Mule deer are most active at night and can often be found in meadow areas during low-light hours. During the day, they’ll bed down in protective cover. In warm weather, look for deer along ridgelines where wind is consistent and helps to keep them cool. During the low-light hours of evening and morning, hunt in meadows at the edge of thick cover. If you see where they are feeding during times of low-light, it’s likely they’ll move into nearby timbered areas to rest for part of the day. Deer tend to move during the middle of the day toward the areas where they feed in the evening. A slow stalk is recommended. Spend a lot of time scanning slowly with binoculars— a deer can appear at any time. Pay attention to the wind direction. If the wind is blowing in the direction you are moving, a deer will likely pick up your scent. Deer avoid going to creeks in daylight so there is no advantage to hunting near moving water sources during the day. One advantage mule deer give to hunters is their curiosity. When mule deer are spooked, they’ll often run a short distance then turn to determine if they are being pursued. That may give you one good chance for a shot. A small amount of snow will get deer moving quickly out of high-altitude areas. Usually by late October migrating herds will move to winter range areas, even if there is no snow. Hunters should aim at the vital organ area which presents a small target—about the size of a dinner plate just behind the front quarter. Hunters, no matter how good they are at the range, should never try to make a head shot. Many animals are injured and die slowly because of attempted head shots. For more information: cpw.state.co.us.

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GMU overviews for Northwestern Colorado BY COLORADO PARKS & WILDLIFE SPECIAL TO THE HUNTING GUIDE

GREEN RIVER GMUs 1, 2, 10, 201 Local CPW Office Meeker (970) 878-6090 In this area, 9,700-foot Diamond Mountain is the highest point, dropping to 5100’ elevation at the White River. Sage and sage-grassland dominate, with the typical vegetation groups as the elevation increases. Weather is generally mild through the later seasons, though the higher elevations can have significant snow accumulations. Public land accounts for more than 85 percent of GMU 201. GMU 2 is a checkerboard of public and private land, and GMU 10 is mostly BLM land with a lot of scattered private land. Consult a map and be aware of where you are. GMU 1 has poor access into the rough, rocky terrain and into the wilderness area. You must draw a license to hunt the Green River units, and it can

take many years of preference points. Hence, the hunting pressure is typically light. An agreement with a private landowner and the State Land Board opens several thousand acres in GMU

2, 10 and 201. If there is winter range migration, it is usually during third season. Deer in GMU 1 tend to stay at the south and north ends of Brown’s Park Refuge. The average good buck in GMUs 2 and 201 measures 24-26”. There are trophy bucks in GMU 10, however they tend to have tall versus wide antlers. Hunt the brush-covered areas, high elevations early in the season, lower elevations later. Big, 300 + size bulls are common. The elk tend to stay put over the seasons. Movement is weather dependent. Overall, elk are scatRENÉ HARDEN PHOTO tered in GMUs 2, 10, 201 and the northern portion of GMU 1. We recommend 201 for public hunting access. Blue Mountain and Moosehead MounSee the Craig Chamber of Commerce tain in GMU 10, but be prepared for or the CPW office in Meeker for details. rough terrain. When hunting GMUs 2 or Dinosaur National Park is closed to all gunting. Deer are scattered throughout GMUs GMU continued on 50

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In addition to being known for hunting, northwest Colorado is home to many oil and gas employees who work every day to produce energy for our country. These men and women and the companies where they work are vital to our local economy. Many of our employees and contractors enjoy hunting and other outdoor pursuits. You might meet a few while you’re here. We appreciate your efforts to use safe practices wherever you travel and hunt – for your own well being and that of others. We’re glad you’re here.

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N O R THWEST CO LORAD O H UNTING GUIDE | 2015 F ALL E DITION

Craig/Steamboat Springs

Hunting outlook for Steamboat area is superb BY SEAN McMAHON NORTHWEST COLORADO HUNTING GUIDE

Steamboat Springs doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t just mean means skiing, it is one of the best hunting areas in Colorado, offering a wide variety of game for the hunter. With elk, deer, bear, antelope, moose, bighorn sheep and mountain lions, the area encompasses all of Routt and Jackson counties, stopping at the Moffat County line, east to the North Platte drainage, to a small amount of Rocky Mountain National Park, including the Upper Basin of the North Platte River. Jim Haskins, the Colorado Parks and Wildlife area game manager out of Steamboat Springs, said this upcoming hunting season could be one of the best ever. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Overall, nothing has really changed from last year,â&#x20AC;? Haskins said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Deer look really good this year as they did last year, and the wet conditions are keeping things green, so it should be good into the fall. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The elk terrain looks great,â&#x20AC;? Haskins said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have had great moistureâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;and still areâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;the forage is incredible, the calf survival rate was excellent and we are seeing some really good numbers. â&#x20AC;&#x153;All of our normally good areas are likely to be extremely good this year,â&#x20AC;?â&#x20AC;&#x2DC; he said. The area includes Routt and Medicine Bow national forests, the Flat Tops, which hold the largest elk herd in the world, and up along the Colorado/Wyoming border north. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We really have had good winter snow and great spring precipitation again this year, and the forage is strong for all the big game animals,â&#x20AC;? Haskins said. The Flattops herd is doing great and the bull/cow ratios are doing very well,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I look forward to a highly successful hunt this year.â&#x20AC;? Another herd Haskins said is doing

well is the Bearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Ears herd, north of Craig and Steamboat. The good news and bad news, he said, is that there is easy access to the area. DEER OUTLOOK VERY SOLID The outlook for deer is about the same as last year, Haskins said. Unlike some of the southeastern parts of Colorado, the precipitation has been very good to excellent, the forage is in great shape, and the deer numbers are very good. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Lots of deer have been spotted and there are a lot of two- to three-year-old bucks that look pretty good.â&#x20AC;? He said the concern the last couple of years regarding deer numbers on the Western Slope has really not been a factor around his district. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We had very good winter survival of fawns, the forage is phenomenal, and I can assure that the numbers in this district are holding their own if not showing a small increase,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This summer we have seen everything staying green for so long and the monsoons have delivered a lot of rain, so I would look forward to a very good seasonâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;and the Zirkels (Mount Zirkel Wilderness Area) should be unbelievable.â&#x20AC;? Heavy hunting pressure and a tough early winter, Haskins said, could push the elk and deer down to lower altitudes in the valleys and much of that land is privately owned. He issued a warning that when hunters move off the national forests and high mountain lands to confirm where they are hunting so as not to wander unknowingly onto private land. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have some private lands where the landowners will let hunters onto the property and we have some private lands where the elk will remain year round,â&#x20AC;? Haskins said, adding that it doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t hurt to ask the landowners if they will allow hunting on their landsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;but definitely

donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t do it without their permission. Haskins also said there is always the worry that some of the deer in the north portions of his area will head into Wyoming as winter sets in and that is why there is an early deer season in the North Park areaâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;to stop the deer from leaving. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Routt and Jackson counties should offer good hunts as we (the CPW) have been conservative with the deer li-

censes,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The populations are overall very good and the last year full of moisture has really helped us.â&#x20AC;? BEARS HIGH IN NUMBERS â&#x20AC;&#x153;Yes, we have a lot of bears,â&#x20AC;? Haskins said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Like much of Northwest Colorado, we have increased the number of bear licenses, and, thankfully, hunters have STEAMBOAT continued on 45

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STEAMBOATfrom page 43 been snapping up those licenses.” He said there has been some damage reported from the bears around Steamboat Springs and quite a bit of predation in the Flattops. And, he said, there have been lots of big bears, sows and cubs spotted this summer. “There was a bit of concern early that we lost some of the early berries, which are so important to the bears, and we did lose some,” he said. “But the berries are in pretty good shape this late summer, so the bears will have plenty to eat.” Haskins also urged all hunters in the area to get a bear license in an effort to offer the hunter an added bonus if they should find one. The plan for the entire district is to lower the bear population quite a bit, and the hunters are a good way to do that. “I would much rather see a hunter get the bear than to see the bear get into a situation where we have to put it down,” Haskins said. LOTS OF BIGHORN SHEEP “The Zirkel Wilderness herd is healthy; we just did a count,” Haskins said of the bighorn sheep in his district. “We saw good ram numbers and good numbers all around.” Haskins said the weather has been ideal, allowing for plenty of forage up high, and “We saw absolutely nothing that would have added to mortality causes.” “We didn’t see a lot of lambs during our count, but we are highly optimistic they are there,” he said. “They are just tough to count, and in the past we have come to expect that they will show up.” The district has two ram and two ewe tags, and the record of past harvests have been “fairly good,” he said. The main group to watch, Haskins said, “is the Zirkel herd; they are in the wilderness area right now, but I expect they will come down in the winter—at least some.” The sheep can come down early, and, if they do, they will scatter all along the Continental Divide. “There are some good animals around and they are very healthy,” he said. It is also a good bet that a lot of the sheep will be wintering in North Park, around Delaney Butte and mainly on the west side of North Park. ANTELOPE THRIVING The numbers of antelope, pronghorn or “goats” should be impressive this upcoming season, Haskins said. He said a lack of counters on a recent search “really hurt the actual numbers we came up with, which was a little down.” But, he added, “we have great quality and great

numbers” He pointed to North Park (Unit 10) as being one of the top spots and Unit 13 (south of Hayden) in Routt County as having numbers drop a bit following a shift a few years ago. Other good spots he pointed to included the Elk River and the Rabbit Ears Pass area. He said these are not traditionally good areas but should be good this year. Overall, the number of licenses is down, he said, making for a good season for those who do get the fewer licenses in the area. “Overall, throughout the district, I would say antelope hunting ought to be pretty darned good,” Haskins said. “The numbers are up in most places, down in only a few and the quality of those that are here is very high. It should be a good year for antelope hunters.” FEW LIONS AROUND The district does have mountain lions, “but we are not a big lion area like Meeker, Grand Junction and Glenwood Springs,” Haskins said. “We are finding lion footprints and we have had a few predation problems, which show us that they are here. “I would say the numbers we have are doing fine—are stable—but I can’t say we have seen any major increases or decreases in numbers,” he said. He added that there is a limited number of lions around North Park and Unit 13 is one of the best areas year after year. Other decent mountain lion numbers can be found south of Highway 4, between Steamboat Springs and Hayden. “Some who see the lions can go ahead and shoot them, but the key is knowing how lions travel, and dogs can follow and tree a lion on the run,” he said. “Most of the lions will be on private property, but my guess is that it could be a good season if hunters will obtain the landowners’ permission prior to entering the private property. GOOD OVERALL, BUT... Haskins is optimistic of a great hunting season in the Steamboat Springs area, but he did issue a caution to hunters in the lower regions, where most land is private property, to obtain landowner permission prior to hunting on the private land. He also warned hunters to make certain what animal is being sighted in because without seeing the entire animal it can be difficult to determine whether an animal is a deer, elk or moose, adding that there are always citations given each year to hunters who have misidentified the animal they shot. And that can be quite a costly mistake, he said.

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N O R THWEST CO LORAD O H UNTING GUIDE | 2015 F ALL ED ITION

Craig/Steamboat Springs

Promising numbers in Hot Sulphur Springs region BY SEAN McMAHON NORTHWEST COLORADO HUNTING GUIDE

One of the few districts that has a sage grouse season.

Colorado’s hunting areas in the northwest part of the state are all bracing for great hunting seasons, and those in the Hot Sulphur Springs area are equally promising. The offices for the area are located in Hot Sulphur Springs, which is located about 15 miles from Kremmling and includes all of Grand and Summit counties and the east edges of Eagle and Routt counties. The district holds deer, antelope, elk, bear, lions, bighorn sheep and Rocky Mountain goats. It is also one of the few areas in the state that has a sage grouse season. “This has been another great year for

precipitation, and the forage is outstanding across the entire range,” said Colorado Parks and Wildlife Area Wildlife Manager Lyle Sidener. “The animals are well distributed, and that means there will be a lot of good hunting areas. “The elk had a tremendous survival rate and the snow or cold didn’t affect the herds,” Sidener said. “Antler growth comes from good nutrition, and conditions are great all over. I don’t know that we will have a lot of trophies taken, but the elk are in darned good shape.” Sidener said that with the beetle kill in a lot of the high timber, he expects the elk might be hiding in that timber. “There are a lot of great elk in the

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area,” he said. “But depending on the weather, and if they remain high, the hunters may have to do a lot of work to find them.” DEER HAD GOOD YEAR The deer populations are in good shape and there was a good survival rate of fawns, Sidener said. “Our survival estimates for mule deer are some of the highest in the state,” he said. “Judging by the precipitation we have had and the high amount of quality forage, this year’s deer hunts could be really good. “The forage of all kinds is really good and I expect all of the animals will be healthy this season,” he added. Depending on the weather, the deer could stay high a little longer than normal, he said, adding that the actual deer population has been a “real head scratcher.” “The Middle Park area is still above our population objective,” he said. “We even have left over licenses available that went on sale Aug. 4.” He said the Middle Park area ought to produce some nice deer. ANTELOPE NUMBERS HIGH Antelope hunters should have a good time finding animals to hunt this year, Sidener said, as the population of the antelope, pronghorn as they are also known, are above population objectives. “We added 40 to 50 new licenses this season, and all of them went in the draw,” he said. The grasses that the antelope thrive on and the sage, which is a mainstay of an antelope’s diet, are in really good shape this year, he said. “The habitat overall has been great

for horn growth, and the herds are well dispersed throughout the area,” he said. “The antelope can be found almost anywhere on the Bureau of Land Management land and it should be very good hunting in the western portion of Grand County.” For the October season, he said, the animals could still be well disbursed on private and public lands, so he urged special caution to the hunters to make certain they are on public land or that they obtain permission from private landowners prior to hunting. BEARS HUNTING BERRIES Sidener said the bear habitat throughout the area is good and that the bears are starting to zero in on the berry crops. “We have seen a lot of bears this late summer, and they seem to be concentrating on the berry patches—be it the various berries or the choke cherries,” he said. “People have seen the bears, but we really have had very few nuisance-bear reports,” he said. “The bears are highly adaptable and they can be found in a lot of our areas,” Sidener said. “It is safe to say that they can be found anywhere there is a good supply of food.” LIONS NOT IN BIG DEMAND Hot Sulphur Springs Area has just 12 licenses for mountain lions this year, but that is one more than last year. “I expect we will have a good availability of lions in November,” Sidener said. Some of the best areas within Sidener’s area are where the deer and elk are in the winter. HOT SULPHUR continued on 47

N O R THWEST CO LORAD O H UNTING GUIDE | 2015 F ALL E DITION

HOT SULPHUR from page 46 Sidener said all mountain lion tags are being sold over the counter and that all hunters should call Colorado Parks and Wildlife to find out which areas are still open and which have already had their quotas filled. “Those fortunate enough to get get one of these lion licenses stand an

excellent chance of harvesting a mountain lion this year,” he said. ONE SHEEP LICENSE Only one sheep license is available this year in Sidener’s area, and that is in Summit County. “There are sheep in other areas, but this one license is our concern,” he said. “I wouldn’t say the sheep hunting is real good in this area with the possible exception of Unit 19. The available license is for a ram, he said, explaining that it is a tough hunt because the rams have a tendency to stay at higher altitudes, at least through the hunting season. GOAT CHANCES GOOD Sidener is optimistic of a good hunting season for Rocky Mountain goats, saying there is a good number of goats all along the Continental Divide. “We have as many licenses as any other area, and we have excellent forage available to the herds,” he said. “The late seasons could very well be compromised, depending on the amount of snow we have.” He said that conditions are really very good and that those who do obtain a goat license should have a good chance, depending on the weather. He said that if the weather remains good, it could be an excellent harvest season. MOOSE DOING WELL “We have more than 50 licenses within the area, and they appear to be

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doing very well,” Sidener said. “We have more than doubled the number of licenses here since 2005.” Sidener said the biggest concern he has with the moose is that the hunters mistake the moose for elk, a common problem in the area. “We have it happen nearly every year,” he said. “One year, we have had as many as nine moose shot by mistake. “I beg the hunters to make certain what animal it is that they are sighting in is the right animal,” Sidener said. “This is a serious problem and one that really makes me sad to see happening.” SAGE GROUSE IN SEASON The Kremmling area is one of the few in the Colorado/Wyoming area that has a season for sage grouse, Sidener said. “North Park has a good population of the birds as well as other small game,” he said. “There is some outstanding forage in that area, and whether looking for birds or other small game, conditions are excellent and the hunters, I believe, will find it worthwhile to hunt that area.” Overall, Sidener said, “The precipitation has been good, the forage for all of the game is in excellent condition, the numbers of animals are better than in many years past, and the season should be pretty darned good.”

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N O RTHWEST CO LORAD O H UNTING GUIDE | 2015 F ALL E D ITIO N

Grand junction/Montrose

Excellent hunting expected in Grand Junction area BY SEAN McMAHON NORTHWEST COLORADO HUNTING GUIDE

It is shaping up to be a tremendous season for deer and elk in the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Area 7 in and around Grand Junction The conditions are excellent for all animals and CPW Area Wildlife Manager J.T. Romatzke said he expects it could be one of the best all-around hunting seasons in at least a decade. His area includes Mesa and Garfield counties, the Grand Mesa, Unit 40 along the Utah border, a small amount of the Flattops Wilderness Area and south to the Mesa/Delta county line. Romatke said the conditions for deer and elk are “really good” and should provide exceptional conditions for most of the game animals in the area. BEARS FACING CHALLENGES Coming off a very challenging year for bears and bear management, only to experience exceptional conditions for bears, this year may equate to challenging conditions for bear hunters. The bears will undoubtably be more dispersed, and, with ample food crop,

bear sightings should be diminished. “Our hunters will need to be more patient than the last couple of years and really spend the time hunting for the anim a l s , ” Romatzke said. ELK AND DEER THRIVING “Combined, everything points to an outstanding season for the elk and deer, particularly,” Romatzke said. “This could well be a season to remember.” Romatzke said there shouldn’t be any bad areas. The animals are numerous, healthy and appear to be well dispersed. He pointed to the Grand Mesa and the Book Cliffs area as well as several other units within Area 7 for outstanding hunting

“I’d say it should be excellent hunting for the elk, especially, in all the areas from Rifle to the Utah border,” he said. “I don’t think we are totally out of the drought, but we are looking at the long term. With all of the rain the last two years, we are looking mighty good.” SHEEP SHOULD BEWARE The sheep herds, Romatzke said, are in great condition, particularly the Black Ridge Desert Bighorn Herd. “With only a few ram licenses available those hunters who were fortunate enough to pull a license—if they are properly prepared for all conditions— should see a very good harvest rate,” he said, adding that the Black Ridge area is

one of the premier areas in the state and one of the best in the entire West. “From Whitewater along the Colorado River to the Utah border, hunting should be great this season,” he said. “The forage is there, the water is there and the canyons and their drainages are in excellent condition. “I wouldn’t be surprised to see all of the area’s rams harvested this season,” Romatzke said. “They are big, they are in good numbers and they are, within reason, fairly accessible, but that may depend on what the weather throws at us,” he said. MOOSE HUNTERS FORTUNATE The moose herds in Area 7 are doing incredibly well, Romatzke said. He pointed to the Flat Tops as being in phenomenal shape but that in his area the focus is on Grand Mesa. “We’ve added additional cow licenses,” he said. “If I had a license I would really be excited if it was in this area. There should be tremendous challenges and opportunities.”

JUNCTION continued on 49

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N O R THWEST CO LORAD O H UNTING GUIDE | 2015 F ALL E DITION

Grand Junction/Montrose

How not to get lost in the woods COLORADO PARKS & WILDLIFE NORTHWEST COLORADO HUNTING GUIDE

In the 1980 movie classic, "The Mountain Men," the character Henry Frapp is questioned by a young green horn: "Haven't you ever been lost?" Frapp scratches his whiskers and after a recollecting pause, replies, "A fearsome confused for a month or two… but I ain't ever been lost!" For the fur trappers, wandering through a vast and unexplored country, "lost" would have been something of an oxymoron. Not knowing where you were was a necessary part of the mountain man business. The blank space on the map was as much "home" as it was wilderness, and "lost" was more a state of mind than a physical dilemma. When the mountain men plunged head-long into the unknown, they knew that where they were going there would be no restaurants or hotels. So they planned accordingly. How did they accomplish this incredible feat? Simply, they were prepared. Today, the same principles apply. When you head out into the woods, be prepared: for cold, rain or snow; to tend an injury; or to stay the night in the woods. It's not as difficult as it sounds. Here are a few nuggets of Mountain Man wisdom to help you survive: Staying Found The old timers relied on "Dead Reck-

oning" for navigation: utilizing a compass to guide them in the general direction they wished to go. Sometimes in the absence of a compass, they relied only on "reckoning": as in "I reckon camp is back that way." The contemporary woodsman may have the handiness of a GPS, but owning one of these high-tech gizmos is not an adequate substitute for map and compass skills. Paying attention to where you're going can also be a big help to staying found. As you pursue your quarry, notice which way the shadows are falling. Have you been mostly climbing, or descending? Look for landmarks as you go. Not stumps and rocks, but BIG landmarks that give your relative position to the valley below, or that craggy peak to the west. Turn around and look behind you, what would it look like if you were going that way—back to camp or the truck? The Essentials I Water. Without it, you’re dead in three days. Without it for a few hours, at 9,000 feet above sea level, you’re not dead, but you may wish you were. Dehydration can lead to altitude sickness and hypothermia. But even worse, it can impair your judgment, induce panic, and result in a fatal case of Lost. I Fire good… Fire friend… Fire number two in importance. Learn how to build one, WITHOUT toilet paper and gasoline. One, you need dry tinder. Scratch around under grass tussocks for

the driest stuff. Get lots of it, about a volleyball sized bunch; two, kindling. You want about twice as much as the tinder you gathered. Kindling is small stuff— matchstick sized. Three is the fuel itself. Pick dry branches one to two inches in diameter—these burn without difficulty and make it easy to control the heat. Of course we can't overlook the match. You don't need to be proficient with a flint and steel, but you should have at least a couple of ways to start a fire. I Shelter. Shelter starts with your clothing. Dress for the worst. And in a Colorado autumn, the worst can be pretty harsh. Synthetics like fleece or polyester blends are good, but wool is best. Dress in layers: long handle union suit, light mid-layer(s), and warmer outer layer. I Make a plan and let someone know

what it is. Leave a map open on the dashboard of the truck. You don’t have to give up your secret spot with an "I AM HERE" arrow, just circle a square mile or two. When you leave camp, a plain old "I'm gonna work this ridge out and come back down the crick" is enough to give your buddies a place to start looking for you if you should become “a fearsome confused." The important thing is to stick to your plan. As you head into the high country this fall, see yourself as one of the Lewis & Clark Expedition; be prepared, both mentally and physically for the challenges of the unknown. Keep your powder dry and your eyes on the horizon and you'll know that "lost" is, by and large, just a state of mind. Chris Parmeter is a District Wildlife Manager in the Gunnison/Crested Butte area.

should be respected above all else. “Hunters must have permission from a landowner prior to entering the private property to hunt, and it would also pay off for the hunters to make sure that the animal they are looking to shoot is

indeed the same type of animal that they have a license to kill,” he said. “Too often, we see someone with an elk license shooting a moose or deer and vice versa.

JUNCTION from page 48 He pointed to the Grand Mesa and around Collbran, Hotchkiss and Parachute as being home to the core population of moose, saying the water supply, winter survival rate for calves and the forage all combine to “provide a great experience to the hunters in this area.” “There really should be great opportunities to find moose because the groups are scattered,” he said. “These moose, transplanted mostly from Utah, have done much better than we hoped,” he said in 2013. “We started with a transplanted group of 90 moose and that count has risen to at least 350 in the area,” Romatzke said. He said he believes those numbers have also increased in the past year and that there could be another increase in the number of licenses next year. “The rains since spring and continu-

ing with the monsoons could make for the best season in five or six years, and these afternoon showers we have been having already are really helping in the back-county overall,” he said. AREA HUNTER CONCERNS Romatzke pointed out that in the valleys and down from the very high country and along the Colorado River and other drainages there is an abundance of private property. He said he would urge the hunters, regardless of the game they are trying to harvest, to just double check and make sure they are not hunting on private party without obtaining the landowner’s approval and that they obtain that approval prior to starting their hunt. Romatzke said the penalties for violating private property laws and taking the wrong animal are severe violations in Colorado, and that private property

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Special Recreation Permits in Game Management Units (GMU) 10, 11, 12, 21, 22, 23, 24, 211, 30, 40 All or part of this operation is conducted on private lands as well as public lands under special permit from the U.S. Bureau of Land Management

N O RTHWEST CO LORAD O H UNTING GUIDE | 2015 F ALL E D ITIO N

MEEKER

GMU from page 41

201—hold out for a good bull—the average size is around 305. In GMU 2, try the SW corner. In GMU 1, try Hoy Draw and Chokecherry Draw.

LOWER YAMPA GMUs 3, 11, 211, 301 Local CPW Office Meeker (970) 878-6090 The Lower Yampa units lie south of Wyoming, bordered by White and Little Snake rivers. The lower elevations of 6,000 feet consist of sage and sage steepe. Pinyon and juniper cover the upper elevations up to 8,500 feet. Expect zero to light snow cover in first and second seasons. The later seasons may bring moderate snow and a potential for near zero temperatures. If the weather is mild, deer and elk will not be present in high numbers until the later seasons. Overall access is easy and four-wheeled drive is not necessary in most areas. Hunting pressure is heavy. Outside of GMU 301, 70 percent of the Lower Yampa is public land. The buck-doe ratio is increasing. The mid-range elevations with mountain shrub and pinyon-juniper breaks generally hold the most deer, especially during the regular rifle seasons. Movement occurs with weather and hunting pressure. In 211 and 11, deer are generally found in the Danforth Hills during second rifle season moving to lower elevations in Axial Basin (GMU 211), Bitterbrush SWA and adjacent BLM (GMU 11), and Crooked Wash (GMU 11) by third and fourth rifle. Several thousand acres are open for public hunting in Axial Basin through a coordinated resource management plan (see Meeker CPW office for more details.) The large elk herd occupies all available habitat. The later seasons are usually better, especially on public land, due to snow and hunting pressure pushing the elk out of the adjacent units. The success rate is very good on late cow elk hunts. Axial Basin CRM is a hot spot for hunting, but crowding is significant. The best bull hunting will be on private lands. Youth hunting participation during the late seasons in these GMUs is now limited. Please see big game brochure for details.

UPPER YAMPA GMUs 4, 5, 13, 14, 15, 131, 214, 231, 441 50

Local CPW Office GMUs 4 and 5-Meeker office (970) 878-6090 Others—Steamboat Springs (970) 870-2197 From a low of 6,300 to 12,000 feet along the Continental Divide. The Routt National Forest dominates the eastern two-thirds of the Upper Yampa units with coniferous forests and aspen. Most of the land outside of the national forest is private land. Mountain shrub and rolling sage cover the low country. Expect light to moderate snow in the first season, gradually increasing through the fourth season. Four-wheeled drive is usually necessary on the secondary roads. Hunting pressure is heavy. Hunters will have better success and enjoy more solitude by walking into remote areas. Hunting pressure may create refuge situations on the private lands in GMUs 13, 131, 214 and 441. Mt. Zirkel (GMU 14) and Sarvis Creek (GMU 15) Wilderness Areas access is restricted to non-vehicle methods. Public hunting in GMUs 13 and 131 is limited to a few small parcels of BLM land and some State Trust Land parcels. The deer herd has declined in the upper Yampa units due to a variety of factors. Most of the deer will be found in the western section of these units. Movement is also to the west. Hot spots are located north of Hayden. Some good trophy bucks are seen in the southern portion. In GMUs 4 and 5, the buck hunting has shown steady improvement.

This area is not managed for trophy bucks, but it does have a good number of adult males in the population. Hunt the aspen and brush areas. Elk are plentiful throughout the Upper Yampa area. Licenses are also readily available, but hunters should not rely on leftover license availability as these herds approach population objective. CPW has been working to minimize crop damage and significantly reduce the number of elk in these units. There are good numbers of bull elk, however, do not expect to see many large adult males. Large elk numbers occur on the Routt National Forest. The basic movement is from the higher to lower elevation in response to hunting pressure and weather. Hunt the timber and hunt the Routt National Forest early. Within the Upper Yampa GMU’s, private lands access is primarily available on a fee-hunting basis.

NORTH PARK GMUs 6, 16, 17, 161, 171 Local CPW Office Steamboat Springs (970) 870-2197 North Park borders Wyoming between the Continental Divide and Medicine Bow Mtns. The valley floor at 7,880 feet supports ag lands and sage. Extensive willow stands line the streams—a favorite moose habitat, so be sure of your target. The forest surrounding the basin varies from aspen/lodgepole to spruce/fir. The area is generally windy and colder

than places in western Colorado. Prepare for snow during your hunt. Four-wheeled drive is helpful, as are chains. More than two-thirds of North Park is public land. Mt. Zirkel (west) and Never Summer (southeast) are the Wilderness Areas. Access to State Trust Lands and Wilderness Areas is non-motorized. Big game can move onto private lands with no public access. If you are patient, you could have success hunting trophy bucks. North Park has an early rifle, deer-only season that begins as soon as possible after archery closes. This season provides additional hunter opportunities as many of the deer in North Park migrate early. Few deer are found in North Park during January classification flights. Small sample sizes lead to higher observed buck:doe ratios than can be expected during the hunting seasons. Use 3-year average success rates for choosing a hunt. Elk are distributed evenly throughout these units. During the day, the bulls will be in dark timber—glass in the early morning and evening. The herd tends to stay in the coniferous timbered areas until late in the season, moving to lower elevations with snow and hunting pressure.

BOOKCLIFFS/PICEANCE GMUs 21, 22, 30, 31, 32 Local CPW Offices Meeker (GMU 21, 22) (970) 878-6090 Grand Junction (GMU 30, 31, 32) (970) 255-6100 Pinyon-juniper, with pockets of sagebrush, cover most of area at lower elevations. Higher elevations are characterized by sagebrush interspersed with aspen stands and some dark timber. Terrain varies from rolling sagebrush to steepsided canyons. Some areas are steep and rugged, especially in southern portion. Rains bring muddy roads. High elevation snows make roads impassible without chains. Seventy-five percent of area is BLM land. There are remote hunting areas accessible by foot, horseback or ATV. Get maps and study BLM access points. Weather is generally mild. There is significant energy development occurring in these units. The hunting ranges from fair to good GMU continued on 52

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GlenwoOd Springs

Plenty of big game in Glenwood BY SEAN McMAHON NORTHWEST COLORADO HUNTING GUIDE

Hunters seeking big game in the Glenwood Springs-area hunting units this coming season should have a pretty good time. The Glenwood Springs office of Colorado Parks and Wildlife covers an area that includes a portion of the Flat Tops Wilderness Area, which is located well north of Interstate 70, as well as Vail Pass, Battle Mountain, Independence Pass south of Aspen, Eagle and Glenwood Springs. “Overall, I expect this will be a great year,” CPW area wildlife manager Perry Will said. “We had a mild winter and have terrific forage, the weather has been perfect for the forage and available water supplies, and the animals are well dispersed.” ELK HERDS THRIVING “The elk hunting this year should be pretty darned good,” Will said. “We have had what I would call a ‘Miracle May’ and a great spring.” “The Flat Tops should be really good; it is looking like a great late summer and fall for all ungulates,” he said. SMALL DEER DECREASE, BUT... “If I had a deer tag in this area, I would be pretty excited,” Will said. “The number of licenses are down, so that means those who have a license will see a lot less competition for the deer that are there. I suspect those hunting for deer will have a very good year.” He said he and other CPW officers in the area have been spotting some really good deer with antlers. Area D8, he said, should have an outstanding year, although, he said, it isn’t known why. “That area (around Burns) has great forage as well, and conditions have just been ideal,” Will said. BEARS RUN RAMPANT The Glenwood Springs area is overloaded with bears, which the CPW would like to see hunters help reduce. All hunters can get a second/additional bear tag good for all of Area 8. “We have bears everywhere—too many bears—and I would encourage hunters of other big or small game to pick up a bear tag when they go out hunting for some other animal,” Will said. “We are really looking to reduce the numbers of bears and the numbers of damage reports, and the hunters are the ones who can really help us out.” He said the forage has played a major

role in the bears’ travels with the acorns being fairly good, but, most notably, with the numbers of choke cherries and service berries much improved over last year, when they were almost non-existent. “The good news is that we are seeing some really big bears this year,” Will said. “They are just plain bigger. “It used to be that we would commonly see bears weighing about 300 pounds, and that was a good-sized bear,” he said. “Now, we are regularly seeing 500-pound bears.” Overall, Will said, this should just be a regular bear season and that the property damages have not included many reports of bears killing livestock. “They are still in pretty good numbers and I would look forward to quite a few bears being harvested,” he said. “They are well dispersed, and that benefits the hunters.” SHEEP SHOULD BEWARE For those fortunate to get one of the ram licenses that are available to hunters in the Glenwood Springs units, hunters should have a really good success rate, Will said. “The licenses are few but conditions are so good for the sheep this year that I wouldn’t be surprised to see all seven of the rams harvested,” Will said. GOATS AND LIONS ABOUND The mountain lions and the Rocky Mountain goats are both in “very good shape this year,” Will said. The area up and around Independence Pass, south of Aspen, he said is shaping up as the best place for hunters. He added that units 6, 11, 12, 13, 17 and 19 should present good opportunities for the goats. “We have roughly 30 tags in the area, and the forage, the overall weather and the number of licenses should work in favor of the hunters,” Will said. “We also have good numbers of mountain lions, and, while an occasional hunter may run across a lion, it is almost impossible to hunt a lion without dogs,” he said. “The dogs can tree a mountain lion, where a human just couldn’t keep up in a foot pursuit. “We haven’t filled our quotas for lions in several years, but I have to believe it would be a good season coming up,” he said. “If someone really wanted to kill a mountain lion, this would be one of the best seasons to give it a try.” Will gave a few warnings to the goat and lion hunters. He said the hunters should be prepared for possible snow up high and that the weather can change quickly. He said that those hunters

should be certain to have chains and food/water supplies if there are any problems. He also warned that there is a lot of private property in the Roaring Fork Valley and for quite a few miles up Independence Pass and along many of the drainages. He added that hunters must make sure they are on public land or obtain permission from a landowner prior to hunting on private property. MOOSE MANY; TWO LICENSES Although the number of licenses and hunting areas have increased by one to two this season, the news couldn’t be any better for the hunters who drew the one tag for the mountains of the Gore Range above Vail and the other tag for south of Eagle. “I would love to be one of the hunters who pulled the tags this year; those hunters should not have a difficult time in finding their moose,” he said. “Conditions are great; numbers are rapidly increasing,

and it would be a good year to be those hunters.” Will said the numbers are good and increasing so much that he expects that Unit 43 may have licenses added next year. WORDS OF CAUTION Landowner privacy is a serious matter, Will said, adding the violation for hunting without private landowner permission is a pretty serious and costly offense. He said he also has concerns every year about hunters sighting in on the wrong animals then pulling the trigger. “There isn’t a huge difference between a deer and an elk or an elk and a moose if you can’t see the entire animal being sighted in,” Will said. “I look forward to a great hunting season; that also means a safe season for all,” Will said. “I also want to thank the residents and non-residents for choosing Colorado for their hunt. We appreciate you.”

Special Rates For Hunters! Take dead aim and then rest with us.

Call for more info. 1.800.945.5495

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N O RTHWEST CO LORAD O H UNTING GUIDE | 2015 F ALL E D ITIO N

Northwest Colorado GMU from page 50

in the Bookcliffs and Piceance units. Deer are well-distributed in the northern portion from mid-October. Concentrate on higher elevations in early seasons. If the weather is dry, you?ll need to do a lot of walking and looking. Good snows will move the herds to lower elevations to the north and to the south. Hunt high early, low later. Cathedral Rim has some big bucks, but tough terrain. Little Hills and Dry Fork of Piceance is better late. GMUs 21 and 30 are managed as quality deer units and licenses are separate from licenses that are valid in units 22, 31 or 3. Good cow hunting opportunities. The best hunting is in remote areas, mostly at high elevations, where the elk tend to hold up in pockets of green timber and aspen. Check out the Texas Mountain area and Rat Hole Ridge. Hunting pressure will push some bulls into the large expanses of pinyon-juniper. If snow and hunting pressure are sufficient, some elk will move into the Little Hills and Dry Fork area of Piceance later in the seasons. Most of the GMU 32 elk move into GMU 22 to winter. Elk normally concentrate on the north side of Douglas Pass during the archery, muzzleloader, and early rifle seasons. Movement of large numbers of elk into GMU-30 generally does not occur until early November.

WHITE RIVER GMUs 12, 23, 24, 25, 26, 33, 34 Local CPW Offices Glenwood Springs (GMU 25, 26, 34) (970) 947-2920 Meeker (GMU 12, 23, 24) (970) 878-6090 Steamboat Springs (GMU 26) (970) 870-2197 Grand Junction (GMU 33) (970) 2556100 White River offers variety and extremes. Several peaks in the Flattop Wilderness are 12,200 feet in elevation. Elevation drops to 5,300 feet near Rifle. The lower elevation vegetation starts out with sage, progressing to oakbrush/mountain brush, aspen, evergreens and alpine tundra. Expect mild weather with light snow in the first season, with roads becoming impassable in the upper half of the area by the third season. The high country in GMU 24 is prone to heavy snowstorms in late seasons. Heavy snowstorms can strand hunters on Flattops after first season. While there is a great deal of public land, hunting pressure is heavy especially

limited number of licenses, but it is a good place to take a big buck. Elk are scattered from about 7,000 feet to above timberline. As hunting pressure increases, they seek the deeper canyons and dark timber areas way from roads. Concentrating on the large stands of dark timber and the larger wilderness areas will increase your chance of finding a big bull on public lands. Large blocks of private land in GMUs 35 and 36 provide refuge areas and can make hunting difficult.

in northern half of GMUs 23 and 24. Four-wheeled drive is necessary on all but the few main paved roads. Half of the area is roadless—which makes for very good hunting if you can walk or pack in. You may encounter heavy ATV traffic in GMUs 12, 23 and 33. Hunters in GMU 25 and 26 can gain access using Forest Service Road 610 (Stump Park Rd) or USFS Road 613 (Crescent Lake Rd). The deer are scattered and will move in response to hunting pressure and weather. On National Forest lands in GMUs 12, 23, and 24, deer hunting is generally better in early seasons. Good public land deer hunting can typically be found in GMU 12 on the Jensen and Indian Run State Wildlife Areas. Jensen SWA is north of Meeker and Indian Run SWA is east of Hamilton. GMU 23 deer hunters can try Hay Flats and Miller Creek southwest of Meeker and the Jensen and Oak Ridge State Wildlife Areas north and east of Meeker. Deer densities are lower across GMU 24 but hunters can find deer on the south facing slopes above the White River. UNIT 33 archery and muzzleloader licenses no longer valid in and 24— If you purchase an archery or muzzleloader license for unit 33, you can no longer also hunt in unit 23 and 24, and vice versa. There are now separate tags for these units. See the hunt tables for corresponding hunt codes. Generally all of GMUs 12, 23 and 24 are considered very good elk hunting. They are generally at higher elevations in the eastern portions of GMUs 12 and 24 during early seasons, and move west to lower elevations (and private lands) as hunting pressure and snow depth increase. Try the abundant public lands in eastern GMU 12 and 24 early on. Because of access roads, hunting pressure is high on Sleepy Cat, Lost Park and Sand

Peak. The Flat Tops Wilderness Area offers good hunting, but travel is limited to walking or horseback and the potential for heavy snowfall means hunters must be prepared. Successful hunters avoid the main roads and hunt the dark timber and deeper canyons. Jensen State Wildlife Area is good during most seasons. Oak Ridge State Wildlife Area is good during third and fourth rifle seasons. Both properties are limited to foot or horseback travel.

EAGLE RIVER VALLEY GMUs 35, 36, 44, 45, 361 Local CPW Office Glenwood Springs (970) 947-2920 These units are bordered by the Colorado River, the Gore Range, the Red Table Mountains and the Continental Divide. Elevation climbs from 6,000 feet with sage and pinyon to more than 14,000 feet with alpine vegetation starting at 10,500 feet. Weather varies widely with heavy high country snow. Motorized travel restricted to designated routes. GMUs 35 and 44 have some public access, however the northern part of GMU 44 between Edwards and Eagle is primarily private property with no hunting allowed. Check your map and contact the BLM/USFS office regarding off road travel. Deer herds will be scattered from 6,500 feet to timberline and will move down to the lower elevation pinyon-juniper areas as heavy snow arrives. Over 18 inches of snow will move the deer. Try hunting the aspen, open parks and shrublands. GMUs 35 and 36 have the most mule deer. After the first heavy snow, most GMU 45 deer will move into GMU 36. GMU 44 is managed for trophy deer with

MIDDLE PARK GMUs 18, 27, 28, 37, 181, 371 Local CPW Office Hot Sulphur Springs (970) 725-6200 The Continental Divide and the Gore Range Divide encircle Middle Park. Most of this terrain is steep to very steep. The weather can change rapidly. Areas can become snowbound. Four-wheel drive is recommended, along with chains. Sagebrush/shrubs are common on southern exposures at lower elevations. The valley bottoms are mostly private lands. The remaining two-thirds of this area is public land. GMU 27 has less public land than the other GMUs. Check USFS maps for ATV closures/restrictions. Hunters around Wolford Mountain (GMU 181 and 27) should be aware that a travel management plan is in place— check with the BLM Kremmling office for information. Horses/pack animals are recommended for remote tracts and for Wilderness Areas. Due to the proximity to Denver, there are many weekend hunters and recreationalists (bikers, hikers, ATVers). The past decade’s mountain pine beetle killed an estimated 80 percent of mature lodgepole pine trees in Grand County, creating numerous hazards along public roadways as these trees begin to fall. As a result, fire danger is increased, big game distribution is changing in some areas and logging operations are likely in some spots. Hunters might focus on some of the dead lodgepole areas as increased sunlight to the forest floor creates more forage and these areas tend to hold deer and elk for longer periods of time. However be aware of possible falling trees when hiking, or setting up camp in pine beetle kill sections! Set up camps, etc., in cleared areas away from dead GMU continued on 53

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Northwest Colorado

GMU from page 52 trees. These dead trees can fall on their own without wind or warning! Road closures for tree removal will likely occur this season and next in this area. To avoid disappointment, be sure to call the Sulphur Ranger District?s Visitor?s Information Hotline at 970-8874100, the Kremmling BLM office at 970-724-3000 or the Yampa Forest Service Office at 970-638-4516 before planning your hunting trip, or setting up camp. Or, sign up for updates by emailing SRDUpdates@fs.fed.us. You can stop by the visitor?s center at 9 Ten Mile Drive in Granby, visit www.fs.usda.gov/arp; or follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/usfsarp. All GMUs have good numbers of deer. The buck-to-doe ratios continue to increase as a result of limited buck hunting and mild winters. All units are managed for quality bucks. There are good numbers of mature bucks, but they rarely reach trophy status found in lower elevation mountain shrub and mild winter areas. Concentrate on transition zones that have aspen, shrub and coniferous cover. Deer tend to move west and down in elevation over the seasons, snow will move them faster and farther. They typically migrate out of GMU 371 with average snowfall. A limited number of fourth season deer licenses available. Elk are well distributed in all units. Bull to cow ratios are good because the area is fairly steep and heavily timbered. Generally, trophy bulls are rare (a few are taken every year) because bulls are managed for hunter opportunity. With hunting pressure and snow, elk head for the inaccessible timber and private property. GMU 27 has a lot of private land. Hunt the rough terrain and heavy cover away from roads and trails to increase your success.

GLADE PARK GMU 40 Local CPW Office Grand Junction (970) 255-6100 This 750 square mile unit consists of a relatively flat summit leading to sloping mesas bisected by deep, rugged canyons. The highest elevation range is approximately 9,800 feet. Roads provide access to the mesas, but many of the canyons are remote and accessible only by foot or horseback. Weather starts out mild but mud/snow accumulation is likely in later seasons. Early season hunters should favor higher elevations of the USFS land, while later season hunters will do better on the lower BLM lands.

Hunters can find many water holes within the dark timber stands on north facing slopes. Elk and deer frequent these areas during warm temperatures and heavy hunting pressure. GMU 40 has a lot of private land, and public access to BLM is often difficult to reach by vehicle. There are some good bucks in GMU 40 but they are hard to locate. The upper end of the Little Dolores drainage is a good place for quality mule deer bucks but there is considerable private land. Late season hunters may have success near Seiber Canyon, but it is foot or horseback only. Areas along the Utah border?and north of Gateway can be good during the rifle seasons however be aware of private land and the state line. Bulls will be bugling from mid-Sept through first rifle opening weekend. Elk are widely distributed. Most stay high until hunting pressure pushes them to lower elevations and less accessible drainages. Do not hunt areas that have previously received heavy hunting pressure—elk will not be there. Successful hunters do a lot of walking and looking. GMU 40 is a limited unit. You must apply in the draw.

NORTH GRAND MESA GMU 41, 42, 421 Local CPW Office Grand Junction (970) 255-6100 Grand Mesa terrain ranges from high elevation (11,000 feet) spruce/fir forests to low elevation (4,800 feet) pinyon-juniper woodlands. Weather can be rainy or snowy, then warm up and dry out the following day. Roads can become very muddy and four-wheeled drive is recommended. Hunters should be prepared to spend time on foot or horseback. Much of the area is public land. Overall, the hunting pressure is heavy. Intensive natural gas development activity is occurring in GMUs 42 and 421. Contact the USFS Grand Valley Ranger District, 970-242-8211 for more details on energy development in this area. The deer population has declined in recent years. The fourth, buck-only season was eliminated in 2014. However deer are still abundant and at the lower end of the population objective range. Deer are found on forest lands and higher elevation private lands during October. The resident deer stay in lower agricultural areas year round. The mi-

grating deer herd begins to move off the forest to lower elevations in midNov, often to BLM lands. The best deer hunting is at mid elevations (8,5009,500 feet), with more buck opportunities in the later seasons. The Battlements can be good in late seasons, but the terrain is rugged. The open country offers good opportunities for those who get out on foot or horseback. The elk herd is well distributed with good hunting success expected. Elk are scattered throughout the forest and on private lands. Most elk stay at higher elevations (8,50010,000 feet) in thick timber and oakbrush. There is no migration during the season; movement to the more remote areas is in response to hunting pressure. They will seek classic cover—the heavily wooded, north-facing slopes near water. You will need to get away from the roads. There are lots of legal bulls as the area is managed for quantity of bulls rather than trophy status. Hence, trophy bulls are present but relatively rare.

ROARING FORK GMUs 43, 47, 444, 471 Local CPW Office Glenwood Springs (970) 947-2920 This area encompasses the Roaring Fork, Frying Pan and Crystal River drainages. The lower elevations (6500 feet) are primarily developed or agricultural. Timberline is around 11,500 feet and there are 14,000-foot peaks in the Wilderness Areas. Be prepared for daytime highs of 75 degrees dropping to 20 degrees at night. Snow can exceed several feet in the higher elevations and moisture can make roads dangerous or impassible. Four-wheeled drive is a necessity. About 40 percent of the area is wilderness (Hunter-Frying Pan, Maroon Bells, Raggeds, Collegiate Peaks) and vehicles are not allowed. These rugged areas offer increased hunting success, but require horseback/pack- in camps. Hunting pressure is moderate. There are large blocks of private lands in GMU 43 east of Hwy 133 and

in the western part of GMU 444. This herd is concentrated in aspen and oakbrush habitats before the snow flies. Hunting pressure does not generally cause herd movement, but they will move to lower elevation woodlands as snow accumulates. Archery and muzzleloader hunters should head to timberline. Early rifle season hunters should focus on high elevation areas around timberline, Capitol Creek, Haystack Mountain and East Snowmass Creek. Later season hunters could try The Crown, Holgate Mesa, Williams Hill and Light Hill, but expect to see other hunters in these areas. Some good bucks can be found if hunters focus in areas away from roads. Early seasons find elk anywhere from 7,500 feet to above timberline. With increased hunting pressure and snow, herds tend to move to remote areas or private lands—away from roads and hunters. The wilderness areas are a good bet for success but hunters must hike or horseback as motorized travel is prohibited. Try Snowmass Creek, Conundrum Creek, Capitol Creek, Avalanche Creek, Difficult Creek, McFarland Creek, Maroon Creek, Thompson Creek, Basalt Mountain, Four-mile, the Marble area, and the upper Frying Pan drainages. Kobey Park and Sloans Peak are good but deep snow and bad roads should be expected, especially later in the seasons.

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Northwest Colorado

Essential hunting gear checklist BY COLORADO PARKS & WILDLIFE

Preparing for a hunting trip is a major effort. Listed below are a few common items that hunters often forget as they get ready to go into the backcountry. K First aid kit (include mole skin/duct tape for blisters);

K Compass and high-quality maps; K Game bags; K Fire starter for use in the field; K Sunscreen; K Knife sharpener; K Toilet tissue; K Extra batteries; K Hunting license; K Rain gear; K List of family/friends phone

numbers; K Blaze orange vest and cap; K Extra water bottles; K Extra fuel for camp-stove; K Water purification pump or tablets; K Tire chains; K Flashlight/lantern; K Cleaning supplies, trash bags Enjoy a well-prepared hunting season!

Important contact information for hunting in the region Northwest Colorado Sheriff’s Departments: I Rio Blanco County Sheriff, (970)878-9620 I Garfield County Sheriff, (970) 945-0453 I Moffat County Sheriff, (970) 824-4495 I Routt County Sheriff, (970) 870-5503 I Mesa County Sheriff, (970) 244-3500

NW ColoRADO Healthcare Providers:

I Pioneers Medical Center, Meeker - (970) 878-5047 I Rangely District Hospital, Rangely - (970) 675-5011 I The Memorial Hospital, Craig - (970) 824-9411 I Grand River Medical Center, Rifle - (970) 625-1510 I Valley View Hospital, Glenwood Springs - (970) 945-6535 I St. Mary’s Hospital, Grand Junction - (970) 298-2273 I Yampa Valley Medical Center, Steamboat Springs - (970) 879-1322

Colorado Parks & Wildlife Headquarters: 6060 Broadway, Denver, Colorado, 80216, (303) 297-1192 — M-F 8 a.m.-5 p.m. MST

Region Offices/ Service Centers:

I Denver Service Center and Northeast Region Office, 6060 Broadway, Denver, CO 80216, (303)291-7227 I Southeast Region Service Center, 4255 Sinton Rd., Colorado Springs, CO 80907, (719)227-5200 I Fort Collins Service Center, 317 W. Prospect, Fort Collins, CO 80526, (970)4724300 I Northwest Region Service Center, 711 Independent, Grand Junction, CO 81505, (970)255-6100 I Southwest Region Service Center, 151 East 16th Street, Durango, CO 81301, (970)247-0855

Area Offices:

I 122 E. Edison, Brush, CO 80723, (970)842-6300 I 50633 Hwys 6 and 24, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601, (970)947-2920 I 300 West New York Av., Gunnison, CO 81230, (970)641-7060 I 346 Grand County Road 362, Hot Sulphur Springs, CO 80451, (970)725-6200 I 1204 East Olive, Lamar, CO, 81052, (719)336-6600 I P.O. Box 1181, Meeker, CO, 81641, (970)878-6090 I 0722 South Road 1 East, Monte Vista, CO 81144, (719)587-6900 I 600 Reservoir Road, Pueblo, CO 81005, (719)561-5300 I 2300 South Townsend Av., Montrose, CO 81401, (970)252-6000 I 7405 Hwy 50, Salida, CO 81201, (719)530-5520 I P.O. Box 775777, Steamboat Springs, CO 80477, (970)870-2197

Recorded Information:

I Leftover limited licenses (303)291-7519 I Big Game Season Dates/Info (303)291-7529 I Hunter Safety Classes/Replacement Cards (303)291-7530 I Fish Stocking Schedule (303)291-7531 I General Fishing Season Dates/Fees (303)291-7533 I Fishing Condition Reports (303)291-7534 I Small Game/Furbearer Season Dates (303)291-7546 I Upland Game/Turkey Season Dates (303)291-7547 I Waterfowl Season Dates/Fees (303)291-7548

Media Relations: I Statewide, 303-291-7410 I Ft. Collins, 970-472-4305 I Metro Denver, 303-291-7366 I Colorado Springs, 719-227-5211 I Montrose, 970-252-6013

Federal Government:

I United States Fish and Wildlife Service (303)236-7905 I BLM, 2850 Youngfield, Lakewood, CO 80215, (303)239-3600 I U.S. Forest Service, P.O. Box 25127, Lakewood, CO 80225, (303)275-5350 Camping reservations, 1-800-280-2267 I U.S. Geological Survey, P.O. Box 25286, Denver Federal Center, Denver, CO 80225, 1-800-435-7627 or 303-202-4700 I National Park Service, 12795 West Alameda Parkway, Lakewood, CO 80228,

N O R THWEST CO LORAD O H UNTING GUIDE | 2015 F ALL E DITION

BENEFITS of USING a HUNT with PROFESSIONALS

Outfitters must be registered, bonded and insured to operate in Colorado and have permits to operate on public lands.

If your outfitter is operating illegally, you run the risk of having your hunt canceled in progress and your game confiscated if your outfitter is arrested. Knowingly contracting with an illegal outfitter could result in felony convictions for all hunters involved.

You may not have legal recourse if you are injured or your illegal outfitter does not provide the services you purchased.

Visit www.northwestcolorado-outfitters.com to find a listing of our professional outfitters.

Things To Ask To Be Sure Your Outfitter is Properly Registered:

• Are you registered with the Colorado Office of Outfitters Registration? If so what is your Registration number? • Will we be hunting on public lands at any time? If so do you have a Bureau of Land Management or U.S Forest Service permit?

Other Indications Of An Illegal Outfitter:

• Outfitter does not provide a written contract. • Outfitter counsels you not to talk to State or Federal officers or asks you to say we are just friends or family hunting together.

Protect Yourself:

Verify your outfitter2s registration by contacting the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies at www.dora.state.co.us/outfitters

HUNT WITH PROFESSIONALS

Things you can do if you suspect illegal outfitting or poaching activity: Gather as much information as possible. Call toll free Operation Game Thief 1-800-332-4155 or e-mail Game.Thief@State.CO.US 4you can remain anonymous5. You may be entitled to a reward offered by Operation Game Thief or the Colorado Outfitters Association. www.northwestcolorado-outfitters.com This message brought to you by the Northwest Chapter of the Colorado Outfitters Association

www.northwestcolorado-outfitters.com N O RTHWEST CO LORAD O H UNTING GUIDE | 2015 F ALL ED ITION

NORTHWEST COLORADO

— Hunting Guide Advertiser Index — Advertiser ........................... Page

Automotive & Off Road Cook Chevrolet/Subaru/Ford (Craig/Steamboat) .......46 Northwest Auto (Meeker)....................................................15 Professional Touch (Rangely) .............................................36 Rangely Auto Parts (Rangely)..............................................39

Dining & Grocery City Market (Rifle/Craig/Steamboat Springs) ..................3 JW Snacks (Craig) ..................................................................45 Ma Famiglia Italian Restaurant (Meeker) .........................23 Meeker Café (Meeker) ..........................................................27 Mexican House (Meeker).....................................................27 Watt’s Ranch Market (Meeker)............Inside Back Cover

Liquor, Spirits and Bars Pinyon Tree Liquors (Rangely)...........................................37 Rangely Liquors (Rangely)...................................................40

J Bar H Outfitters (Meeker) .................................................12 Lost Solar Outfitters (Meeker) ............................................27 M&M Ranch (Craig) .............................................................47 Mountain Man Taxidermy (Craig).....................................45 Nine Mile Guest Ranch (Meeker) ......................................17 Rocky Mountain Tanners (Denver) .....................................6 Sable Mountain Outfitters (Meeker) .................................10 Silver Spur Outfitters (Grand Junction) ............................48 Sombrero Ranches (Meeker) .................................................6 Strawberry Creek Outfitters (Meeker) ..............................14 Steamboat Lake Outfitters (Steamboat Springs).............43 Travis Kruckenberg Outfitters (Grand Junction)............49 Villa Ranches (Meeker).........................................................24 Western Outdoor Adventures (Meeker)...........................21

Real Estate Backcountry Realty (Meeker)..............................................15 Brooks Realty (Meeker)........................................................24 Raven Realty (Rangely).........................................................36 Western Exposures Realty (Meeker)..................................22

Retail Shopping Lodging & RV Spaces Blue Spruce Inn (Meeker) ....................................................25 Buck ‘n’ Bull RV Park (Rangely) .........................................39 Caravan Inn (Glenwood Springs).......................................51 Silver Sage RV Park (Rangely).............................................39 Trappers Lake Lodge (Meeker) ..........................................24 White River Inn (Meeker) ....................................................26

Medical Aerocare (Meeker) .................................................................22 Grand River Medical Center (Rifle)................Front Cover The Memorial Hospital (Craig) ..........................................44 Pioneers Medical Center (Meeker) ......................................9 Rangely District Hospital (Rangely) ..................................38

Outfitters & Taxidermy Antler Taxidermy (Meeker) .................................................19 Professionals of Africa (Meeker).........................................18 Arrow J Outfitters (Meeker) ................................................26 European Mounts (Meeker) ................................................21 Gunsmoke Taxidermy (Craig) ............................................43

Nichols Store (Rangely)........................................................36 Samuelson’s True Value (Meeker) .....................................20 Valley Hardware (Meeker)...................................................10 Wyatt’s Sports Center (Meeker) .........................................26

Services & Organizations Chevron (Rangely).................................................................42 ERBM Recreation Dist. (Meeker) ......................................16 Feldman Nagel, LLC~Attorney (Steamboat Springs)......4 Meeker Lodging Tax.................................................................2 Meeker Sportsman’s Club (Meeker)..................................13 Northwest Colorado Outfitters’ Association ..Back Cover Town of Rangely/Rangely Chamber of Commerce..........1 WRBM Recreation Dist. (Rangely)....................................41 White River Electric Association (Meeker) ......................11 White River Energy (Meeker)..............................................24 White River Museum (Meeker) ..........................................15 Urie Companies (Rangely)...................................................39

Wild Game Processing H&H Processing (Meeker)..................Inside Front Cover Purkey Packing Plant (Meeker)...........................................12

N O R THWEST CO LORAD O H UNTING GUIDE | 2015 F ALL E DITION

271 E. Market St. • Meeker, Colorado • Mon-Sat 7am-8pm • Sunday 9am-6pm

Produce

Bakery

Deli

Meat Dept.

Friendly Service

Family Owned and Operated — Since 1955 —

COLORADO Hunt the â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;

WORLD S LARGEST

ELK HERDS with one of our Dedicated Professionals â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;

www.NorthWestColorado-Outfitters.com â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D;

Northwest Colorado Outfitters Association