I quit hunting Colorado a number of years ago due to lots of what is discussed here. Add to that, their politics and short seasons and my money was not justified anymore.
I think that along with all the hunting issues, they are not looking nearly closely enough at bear depredation on the small calves. With their protectionist approach to the black bears, the numbers have risen and they love little calves. It is like they don't want to address that.
Probably the main cause, is that the elk are spending too much time in the marijuana dispensaries.
Actually, CPW has increased September bear tags by quite a bit the last few years.
There is some evidence to suggest black bear predation may be effecting muley populations. The CPW currently have two large predator-deer studies going right now.
Grizzlies routinely prey on elk calves, that's been well demonstrated in Yellowstone, but nothing has yet suggested black bears do to any significant extent.
