Due to a succession of recent hunting seasons with marginal hunting conditions, the elk herds have continued to grow throughout the state and the deer herds have rebounded in some areas. In virtually all areas on the West Slope, the numbers of mature bucks and bulls have increased.

“I saw more, really nice mature bucks in the flights last winter,” reported the Division’s Glenwood Springs biologist Gene Byrne, who annually flies for the trend counts for the Aspen-Glenwood Springs-Eagle area. “The White River elk herd had 27 bulls per 100 cows, the highest level in the last 40 years.”

Scott Wait, a Division biologist for the San Juans said, “Elk populations are still high and the bull harvest was low last year due to the mild winter...we’re bringing a lot of branch-antlered bulls in this hunting season.”

He is just as optimistic about deer hunting. “Deer populations have shown a fairly good recovery in the last two years and the buck harvest was below projections last year, meaning there will be a good number of bucks available this year.”

But much will depend on the weather. If it stays dry, it could be difficult to track the animals or to stalk them without making considerable noise through the dry grasses and leaves. If it doesn’t cool off, particularly the elk will stay in the cooler areas.

“I think the elk will be high and in the dark timber cover and hard to dig out due to the hot weather,” said the Division’s Cedaredge district wildlife manager Roger Lowry.

“Elk are abundant but hunters will have to work hard to find them and push them out of the timbered areas,” predicted North Eagle district manager Craig Wescoatt.

Paonia district manager Kirk Madariaga agreed. “The elk will be tied tightly to the water sources until they get pushed around a bit,” Madariaga said. “It could be a little hard to find bucks but there should be good hunting if it snows.”

Gunnison biologist Don Masden reports that the drought hasn’t been as bad in the Gunnison Basin and recommends hunters stick with their usual strategies.

“We ought to have good elk hunting throughout the basin, since we’ve had good carryover from last year and have good bull-cow ratios,” Masden said. He expects the deer hunting to be good as well. “We’re seeing the result of the major reductions in the number of licenses issued last year and those who drew should have good opportunities to get a buck,” he said.

Conditions in the Meeker area are similar, according to biologist Jeff Madison. Due to the poor hunting conditions last year, there has been a good carryover of both deer and elk. Madison thinks there could be a very good hunting season if the weather cooperates and brings snow in the first season.

Durango biologist Wait agrees. “What we need is perfectly timed snowfalls, with just the right amount but not too much, that stays on the ground for the perfect length of time for tracking but never gets crunchy and not so much that chases the deer and elk clear out of the country,” he said.