2 replies to this topic

[tommybuilt]

A co-worker of mine just spent a week deer hunting northwestern Colorado. In a week of hunting sunup to sundown, 6 hunters saw a total of 6 deer. Of those 6, 2 were bucks. They killed one buck, and he felt bad doing that, because there just aren't any deer there after last winter. They did see several deer carcasses from last winter. He said he wished the State hadn't even sold tags for that area, and let the herd recover for a year or two. Had the same report from a freind who hunts southeast Wyoming every year.

[huntking]

I hunted northwest Colorado the second season for elk. Although I shot a 6 x 6 opening morning, it was hot (75 degrees) and no one else was seeing elk (until the fifth day when it snowed). Depending on where your friends were hunting, the deer may have not migrated in the area they hunt by the third season. We all saw deer at about 9,000 ft (but were not deer hunting).In 2010, I was in the same area and it snowed hard. I saw hundreds of deer and many elk leaving the high grounds at that time. I spoke with someone who hunted a lower elevation (in 2011) and he saw 6 or so bucks the whole season. I did read an article in the month of may about the snow kill off of 2010. In our camp the same people who got elk in 2010 also got them in 2011..

[300wsm]

I also hunted northern Colorado 2nd season this year, the game numbers are lower than they have been in 15 years or maby ever, I stayed with some 4th generation ranchers, just west of Craig Co. They said they haven't ever seen it so bad . Huge winter kill in 08 and 2010, the ranchers dad has been guiding since 1979 and he says the game numbers are lower than ever. Colorado fish and wildlife doesn't want to admit they have a big problem, but they are willing to sell tags for 300.00 + $. Out of 8 hunters in our group, with deer and elk tags, 1 guy killed a small fork buck.We are experienced hunters and we hunted hard for the full season. Forget about northern Co. for atleast 5 years. ,,300wsm