Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Elk Hunting colorado winter kill?

Is it too early to ask?

I'm just wondering how the winter was on the elk herd, specifically between Meeker and Craig?

We hunt in a range from 7500 to 9000 ft normally.

Elk didn't even make it to some of the lower country below Craig this year...I think they all died.

There just hasn't been that much snow this year. The snow pack is 70 to 80% of normal. Pretty mild winter all-in-all. So, unless we get a 6' dump between now and June, I think you're safe.

I guess I mostly wanted to start a real elk topic in the elk hunting section.

That's good news, we saw quite a decline in numbers the last time we hunted that area. First rifle season.

Mild winter sounds like a good thing.

It is for sure.

I haven't looked to see where the elk migrated to now. I just know that they didn't go where I usually see big herds this year. I just don't think there was enough snow to drive them down that far.

Pretty much agree with Steve.Not a lot of bad weather. Snow almost nonexistent on the front range.We got a dump of 22" a few weeks ago, one time.Other than that it's zip and mostly gone.
Duirng Feb. the mountains did have some good snow falls,but as a comparison,last year, ski areas were boasting 120-150" base.Right now it is 50-60". Steamboat Springs got a bunch.

I have not heard anything from DOW, but they never find out until a year later it seems when thier computer tells them about it.

I'd be real surpried if there is any signifiacnt winter kill, even in localized areas.

I hav enot beeno ut and about though.

Winter kill affect deer more than elk. Elk are pretty tough.

Snowpack is 80% to 90% in the major basins.
That percentage is expected to drop a lot with the coming week with high temps predicted.
This time of year it can come back just as fast.

Been pretty minimal this year, here's the snowpack map:
http://www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/ftpref/support/water/westwide/snowpack/wy2012/snow1203.gif

AP
DENVER�Forecasters say February snowstorms helped increase snowpack in Colorado, but not enough to solve the state's water problems.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture reported Tuesday that statewide snowpack increased to 81 percent of average, up 9 percentage points from the 72 percent of average recorded on Feb. 1.

Forecasters say despite these gains, this year's snowpack continues to lag well behind last year's totals.

The South Platte basin is in the best shape with a snowpack that's 89 percent of average. The Yampa/White basin is the lowest at 74 percent.

All major basins in Colorado are expected to have below average runoff conditions this spring and summer. However, reservoir storage is above average in most of the state and that's expected to ease any late-summer shortages.



Read more: Colorado snowpack up, but not enough - The Denver Post http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_20112542/colorado-snowpack-up-but-not-enough#ixzz1owioIXKg
Read The Denver Post's Terms of Use of its content: http://www.denverpost.com/termsofuse

We still have a little time to get some more snow.

Yes we do, but I think the bulk of the winter kill threat is behind us. Now we need spring moisture for rack growth.

Yeah, I was thinking of the needed water.

No winter kill here in SW Colorado. It's been a mild winter, some snow, no real cold temps. Elk came thru just fine.

I live at 10,000 feet here in the high country, and I have seen Elk through out this whole winter up here.

The only thing that kills an elk is a bullet... if it were deer or antelope it would be a different story

Exactly.......



Casey

That is good to hear as we'll likely be putting in for Unit 4 again.

Hope we get some more snow or water might get a little short fast this year.

I should say in Colorado the only thing that kills an elk is a bullet.

Right, cause I can think of some dog shaped creatures that would make it a playful hobby if you had them there.

You don't want that.