Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Deer Hunting Colorado mule deer

A group of us are heading to Colorado third rifle season for a do it yourself unguided hunt on private ranches. Has anybody hunted with black elk outfitters on coyte Ranch or Rocky Mountain ranches. Any info would be greatly appreciate it. This is our first trip out west.

They may be South enough to not have issues but parts of N Colorado are getting hammered this winter. You might contact them or the biologist in that area and see how the deer are wintering.
Tons of snow in N Colorado and up into Wyoming.
We've got deer and pronghorn dyeing in droves right now all across the state, Wyoming I mean. The Snowies has tons of snow and over to Platte Valley and down into Colorado.

Ranch sounds nice for hunting, if deer are ok then you should have a nice hunt. I like the no atvs except for retrieval.
Make sure you have a decent pack frame for packing to the roads, just a frame with a meat shelf would be fine, no need for an expensive pack and frame combo.
Walden area is a neat spot and I've driven by the Spicer Ranches. Should be fun.

Be ready for travel delays, road closures and make sure your vehicle is prepared for snow driving, they have specific laws about 4 x 4 and snow tires during winter in Colorado.

Thank you for the information, hoping they are south enough.

I hunted there about 15 or so years ago. My dad his buds hunted there for 8-10 years before that. All for elk but we dud see a few dandy mule deer.

I'm with the advice to call the bio on snow and deer conditions. It could be ugly if the snow doesn't leave soon.

thank you I will be calling monday

South has had their share snow also, Monarch has had 35 feet of snow for all winter.

It's not all doom and gloom but some areas will be affected greatly by this winter.

This was about 30 miles south of Craig Co, 8000 feet, about a month ago.They have more now.

wow, is this one of the worst winters in a while? That's going to put a hurting on the deer herd.

Monarch Ski Resort is reporting 220" total snow so far - that's 18+ feet, not 35 feet.

https://skimonarch.com/conditions/

Where you getting your intelligence?

Buffalo Pass which I think is just west of Walden is supposed to be the snowiest place in the damn state ? Anyways.... pretty funny but I have hunted with BOTH of those outfits. Pm me if you wish and I will share what I know.

Keep in mind also that many herds migrate down from the deep snow.
Lots of snow up high is good for runoff.
Winter range is where they get into trouble with deep, crusted snow.
Looking iffy at best in Colorado also.
Hoping the drought is eased.

WOW. That is a lot of snow. Got to be hard on the actual residents too??

Harday, I tried to pm you but it won't let me do it? if you could pm instead would greatly appreciate it or another way to contact you thanks

I spoke with cpw out of steamboat and they said they are expecting a 30% winter kill from this winter.

I searched for Black Elk Outfitters and the website, shows northern Colorado Ranches.Their address shows Steamboat Springs. All ranches are in North Park area ( Walden) Colorado.That is about center of the state, near Wyoming Line. They have been having trouble with a wolf pack that moved in there from Wyoming, killing calves and cattle dogs.

https://blackelkoutfitters.com/

Here is a review.

https://www.nexthunt.com/Black-Elk-Outfitters/565

The photos look like it would be better deer country.

Looks like Walden has 9" of snow right now and Buffalo Pass has 125"

You can keep track of snow depth here.

https://weatherstreet.com/city_snow_depth/80480-Walden-CO-snow-depth.htm