7/1/2006
Division of Wildlife
Big Game Hunting Forecast for Northwest Colorado 2006
By the Colorado Division of Wildlife
Northwest Colorado is home to the largest migratory herd of elk in North America and the largest mule deer herd in the United States. In 2005, more than half of the deer and nearly two-thirds of the elk harvested in Colorado came from the northwest region of the state. From the remote forests of the Flattops and the Routt National Forest to the sage flats along the Colorado-Utah border, northwest Colorado offers something for every hunter.
With extensive summer and winter range, it is possible to find deer and elk regardless of weather conditions in many parts of the northwest. Hunters will have to work hard and should look at higher elevations early in the hunting seasons to find the elk. By late seasons, elk take to the wintering grounds at lower elevations and opportunities for harvest are plentiful.
Over-the-counter licenses and late season "list B" cow hunts give hunters plenty of opportunity to harvest an elk in the northwest part of the state.
Deer hunters aren't left out of the opportunities. The deer population has rebounded from hard winters and large harvests in the 1980s and 1990s. In fact, northwest Colorado's deer population is reaching and even beginning to exceed population objectives in some areas. This year, all northwest units offer "list B" doe tags, meaning hunters can have more than one deer license in certain situations.
Green River Units -GMUs 1, 2, 10, 201
You must draw a license to hunt the Green River units, and it takes many years of preference points. Hence, the hunting pressure is light.
In the Green River Units, Diamond Mountain at 9,700 feet is the highest point, dropping to 5,100 feet at the White River. Sage and sage-grassland dominate, with the typical vegetation groups at higher elevations. Weather is generally mild through the later seasons, though the higher elevations can have significant snow accumulations. Public land accounts for 90 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 your location. GMU 1 has poor access into the rough, rocky terrain and into the wilderness area.
Deer are scattered throughout GMUs 2, 10 and 201. If there is any winter range migration, it is usually during 3rd season, depending on the weather. Deer in GMU 1 tend to stay at the south and north ends of the Brown’s Park Wildlife Refuge. The average good buck in GMUs 2, 201 measures 24-26”. There are trophy bucks in GMU 10 (Blue Mountain) - however they tend to have tall vs. wide antlers. Hunt the bush-covered areas, high elevations early in the season, lower elevations later.
The elk herd size is increasing and 300+ size bulls are common. The elk tend to stay put over the seasons, any movement in GMU 10 is weather dependent. Overall, elk are scattered in GMUs 2, 10, 201; and the northern portion of GMU 1. Blue Mountain and Moosehead Mountain in GMU 10 are recommended. The average good bull in this unit is 300-340, a trophy up to 370. When hunting GMUs 2 or 201 - hold out for a good bull. The average size is around 305. The SW corner of GMU 2 is the best. In GMU 1, try Hoy Draw and Chokecherry Draw.
Lower Yampa – GMUs 3, 11, 311, 201
The Lower Yampa units lie south of Wyoming, bordered by the White River and the Little Snake River. The lower elevations – around 6,000 feet - consist of sage and sage steppe. Pinyon and juniper cover the upper elevations up to 8,500 feet. The temperature usually remains mild throughout the hunting seasons. Expect zero to light snow cover in 1st and 2nd seasons. The later seasons may bring moderate snow and a potential for near zero temperatures. Unfortunately, if the weather is mild, deer and elk will not be present in high numbers until the later seasons. Overall access is easy and 4WD is not necessary in most areas. Hunting pressure is heavy. Outside of GMU 301, 70 percent of the Lower Yampa is public land.
The deer herd 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. Bitterbrush SWA and Axial Basin CRM are recommended. Public land hunting is typically better in the later seasons. The better buck hunting is on private land with a moderate to high chance for a trophy buck. Chronic Wasting Disease has been detected in these units.
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. The best bull hunting will be on private lands.
Upper Yampa – GMUs 4, 5, 13, 14, 15, 131, 214, 441
From a low of 6,300 feet the elevation soars 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. Mountain shrub and rolling sage cover the low country. Expect light to moderate snow in the 1st season, gradually increasing through the 4th season. A four-wheel-drive vehicle 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 onto the private lands in GMUs 13, 131, 214 and 441.
Mt. Zirkel Wilderness area is in GMU 14, and access is restricted to non-vehicle methods. Public hunting in GMU 13 is limited to a few small parcels of BLM land and some State Trust Land parcels.
The deer herd continues to grow and the hunting should be good. 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. DOW employees are seeing some good trophy bucks 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 have been readily available, but hunters should be aware that as population numbers are brought to objective, licenses may be harder to get. Hunters that have relied on leftover or over-the- counter licenses in the past should consider applying in the annual license draw to improve chances of obtaining licenses in future years. The DOW has been working to minimize crop damage and significantly reduce the number of elk in these units. There are good numbers of bull elk, but 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 forest early. In GMUs 4 and 5, private land access is only available on a fee basis.
North Park – GMUs 6, 16, 17, 161, 171
North Park borders Wyoming and lies between the Continental Divide and the Medicine Bow Mountains. The valley floor at 7,880 feet supports agricultural lands and sagebrush. Extensive willow stands line the streams and is favorite moose habitat. The forest surrounding the basin varies from aspen/lodgepole to spruce/fir. Alpine occurs above 10,500 feet, peaking at 12,970 feet. The area is generally windy and colder than many places in western Colorado. Prepare for snow during your hunt. 4WD is helpful, as are chains. Over two-thirds of North Park is public land. Mt. Zirkel (west) and Never Summer (southeast) are the wilderness areas. Access to all State Trust lands and the wilderness areas is non-motorized. Big game can move onto private lands with no public access. Please study a map and know the boundaries.
There are about 7,000 deer in the North Park units. If you are a patient hunter, you could have success hunting trophy bucks. Deer are dispersed throughout the aspen forests and tend to move north with the seasons. Second season is the best time for hunting deer, particularly on Independence Mountain. Other good areas are Sand Dunes, Sheep Mountain, Delany Butte, Mexican Ridge and Owl Mountain.
Elk hunters should be sure of their target as there are moose in these units. 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.
Bookcliff / Piceance – GMUs 21, 22, 30, 31, 32
Intense energy development is occurring in these units. Some lands that have been open to hunting in the past may no longer be open. Hunters should consult updated BLM and county land use maps. DOW officials are negotiating with several energy companies to obtain hunting leases.
Pinyon-juniper woodlands with pockets of sagebrush areas cover most of this area. The terrain varies from open rolling sagebrush areas to steep-sided canyon-like country. Seventy-five percent of this area is BLM lands (access is restricted in wilderness study areas). There are some excellent remote hunting areas accessible by foot, horseback or ATVs. Get maps and study BLM access points. Some areas are very steep & rugged, especially in the southern portion, making it difficult to retrieve downed game. Weather is generally mild. Rains bring muddy roads. At high elevations, typical 3rd season snows make roads impassible without chains.
The deer hunting ranges from fair to good in the Bookcliff 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 the south. Hunters should spend a lot of time glassing. Hunt high early, low later in these units. Cathedral Rim has some big bucks, but you need to hunt hard. Little Hills and the Dry Fork of Piceance are better late.
There are good cow elk 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 Ratt 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. The elk start out in the higher elevations, moving to the pinyon-juniper at lower elevations. The good bulls will head for heavy pinyon-juniper cover with pressure, making them difficult to hunt.
White River – GMUs 12, 23, 24, 25, 26, 33, 34, 231
White River National Forest 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 1st season, with roads becoming impassable in the upper half of the area by the 3rd season. The high country in GMU 24 is prone to heavy snowstorms in late seasons. Heavy snowstorms can strand hunters on Flattops after 1st season. While there is a great deal of public land, hunting pressure is heavy especially in northern half of GMUs 23 and 24. 4WD 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 Road) or USFS Road 613 (Crescent Lake Road).
The deer are scattered and will move in response to hunting pressure and weather. On public land, GMU 12 is better early. GMU 23 offers Hay Flats and Miller Creek southwest of Meeker and the Jensen and Oak Creek State Wildlife Areas that can be good for deer hunting. GMU 24 is a popular early season elk unit and is heavily hunted for elk, but deer can be found on private land along the White River and in the Sleepy Cat and Sand Peak areas.
All of GMU 12 and 24 are considered very good elk hunting. The elk are generally up at higher elevations in the eastern portions of GMU 12 during the early seasons, and then move west to lower elevations (and private lands) as hunting pressure and snow depth increases. Try the abundant public lands in the eastern GMU 12 early on. The chance for a trophy bull is low due to unlimited bull elk licenses. Because of access roads, hunting pressure is high on Sleepy Cat, Lost Park and Sand Peak. The Flattops 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.
Eagle River Valley – GMUs 35, 36, 44, 45
The Eagle River Valley units are bordered by the Colorado River, the Gore Range, the Red Table Mountain and the Continental Divide. Elevation climbs from 6,000 feet with sagebrush and pinyon to over 14,000 feet with alpine vegetation starting at 10,500 feet. Weather can vary tremendously with high country snow exceeding several feet. GMUs 35 and 44 have the most public access. The northern portion of GMU 44 between Edwards and Eagle is primarily private property with no hunting allowed. Check your map and contact the BLM/USFS office because there are some wilderness areas and a BLM wilderness study area that are off limits to vehicles. Hunting pressure is locally heavy, especially around Muddy Pass Road in GMU 36 and Horse Mountain Road in GMU 35 since they are main roads for public land hunters.
Deer hunting in these units continues to improve. The herd 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 to the pinyon-juniper areas. Try hunting the aspen, open parks and shrublands. GMUs 35 and 36 have the most deer. After the first heavy snow, most GMU 45 deer will move into GMU 36. GMU 44 is managed for trophy deer with limited numbers of licenses – it’s 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 chances of finding a big bull on public lands. Unfortunately, the large blocks of private land in GMUs 35 and 36 provide refuge areas and can make hunting difficult.
Middle Park – GMUs 18, 27, 28, 37, 181, 371
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 with higher elevations receiving more precipitation. Areas can become snowbound. 4WD is recommended, along with chains. Sagebrush/shrubs are common on southern exposures at lower elevations. The valley bottoms are mostly private lands. We suggest you seek private land permission early, as much of the land is leased. The remaining two-thirds of this area is public land. GMU 27 has less public land than the other GMUs. Hunters in GMU 28 should be aware of a large beetle-killed timber salvage project in the Williams Fork and Beaver Creek areas that could impact hunting. Check USFS maps for ATV closures/restrictions. Hunters around Wolford Mountain (GMUs 181 and 27) should be aware that a new travel management plan is in effect. Horses/pack animals are recommended for remote tracts and for wilderness areas. The better hunting will be at least one-half mile away from roads. There are pockets where too many hunters gather. Due to the proximity to Denver, there are many weekend hunters and recreationists (bikers, hikers, ATVers).
All the GMUs have good numbers of deer. The buck-to-doe ratios continue to increase to the high 30s as a result of limited buck hunting and mild winters. All units are managed for quality buck hunting. There are good numbers of mature bucks, but they rarely reach the trophy status found in the lower elevation mountain shrub and mild- winter areas. Concentrate on the transition zones that have aspen, shrubs and coniferous cover in close proximity. Deer tend to move westerly and down in elevation over the seasons, snow will move them faster and farther. They typically migrate out of GMU 371 with average snowfall. Middle Park has a limited number of 4th 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
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 forest service 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 when temperatures are warm and hunting pressure is heavy. 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 difficult to locate. The upper end of the Little Dolores drainage is a great place to find quality mule deer bucks, however there is considerable private land in this area. Late season hunters may have success north of Seiber Canyon to the Colorado River. Travel is by foot and horseback only in that area. Areas along the Utah border can be good during the rifle seasons; however hunters need to be aware of public land boundaries and aware of the state line.
Bulls will be bugling from mid September through 1st rifle opening weekend. Elk are widely distributed. Most stay high until hunting pressure pushes them to lower elevations and into less-accessible drainages. Do not hunt areas that have previously received heavy hunting pressure - the elk will not be there. During the rifle seasons, elk hunters can expect to see animals concentrating near Black Pine Reservoir, especially during severe weather events. The more successful hunters do a lot of walking and looking.
Grand Mesa – GMUs 41, 42, 421
The Grand Mesa has a wide variety of terrain ranging 11,000 feet to 4,800 feet. Weather can be rainy or snowy and then warm up and dry out the following day. Roads can become very muddy and 4WD is recommended. There is not a lot of road access in GMU 42. Hunters should be prepared to spend time on foot or horseback. Much of the area is public land. Overall, the hunting pressure is heavy.
Deer hunting is good with the numbers increasing. Deer are found on forest lands and higher elevation private lands during October. The resident deer stay in lower agricultural areas year round. The migrating deer herd begins to move off the forest in mid-Nov to lower elevations, often to BLM lands. The best deer hunting is at mid elevations (8,500-9,500 feet), with more buck opportunities in the later seasons. The number of trophy bucks continues to increase. 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 hunters need to be sure of their target because moose can be found on the Grand Mesa. Elk are scattered throughout the forest and on private lands. Most elk stay at higher elevations (8500- 10,000 feet) in thick timber and oakbrush. There is no migration during the hunting season. Movement to the more remote areas is in response to hunting pressure and is not weather-related. Elk 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 rare.
Roaring Fork – GMUs 43, 47, 444, 471
This area encompasses the Roaring Fork, Frying Pan and Crystal River drainages. The lower elevations are primarily developed or agricultural. Timberline is around 11,500 feet and there are 14,000 peaks in the wilderness areas. Be prepared for daytime highs of 75 degrees and lows of 20 degrees at night. Snow can exceed several feet in the higher elevations and moisture can make roads dangerous or impassible. Four-wheel drive is a necessity when there is rain or snow. About 40 percent of the area is wilderness (Hunter-Fryingpan, 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 west portion of GMU 444.
Deer populations have rebounded in recent years and hunters are doing well in these units. The herd size is stable right now, but buck-to-doe ratios have decreased in some of these areas in recent years. This herd is concentrated in aspen and oakbrush habitats before the snow flies. Hunting pressure does not generally cause herd movement, but animals will move as snow accumulates. When this happens hunters should move with the deer to the lower elevation woodlands.
Archery and muzzleloader hunters should head to timberline. Early rifle season hunters could try places like Williams Hill and Light Hill. Later season hunters could try “The Crown”, Sopris Creek, Thompson Creek and Holgate Mesa, which produce some good bucks. For a chance at a better than average buck, hunt the west end of GMU 47. Generally, success is better the further away from roads.
Early seasons find elk anywhere from 7500 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 in as motorized travel is prohibited. Try Snowmass Creek, Conundrum Creek, Capitol Creek, Avalanche 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 in the late seasons. Some great opportunities for private-land cow hunting exist in GMU 43 - if you can get permission.
Division of Wildlife
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