Third season could be a charm

Third season could be a charm

Nov. 2, 2000

BY JIM THOMAS
Journal Sports Editor

The first two hunts, special early-season and first combined rifle, are over. The third hunt will open at dawn Saturday, Nov. 4, and end Wednesday, Nov. 11.

Early reports across Colorado, according to the Division of Wildlife, elk hunters did not do well during the special elk only hunt, but did better during the first combined rifle elk and deer hunt which concluded Oct. 27.

The first combined rifle big game hunt started Oct. 14. Rain and high-mountain snows greeted hunters that first weekend. Early reports have been slow for deer and only fair for elk harvests. However, reports from near Groundhog Reservoir, indicate hunters had several elk dressed out in their camps or they had them still in the back of their pickups. Hunters had good luck on Haycamp Mesa as well. Deer hunting also has been good in the LaPlata Mountains and Missionary Ridge. Many deer have been spotted near Ignacio and Bayfield.

"It’s been a good season in the San Juan Basin," according to Scott Wait, Terrestrial Biologist, in the Durango Area. "The elk are moving below 11,000 feet in elevation, access is good, conditions are good and we’ve seen a high success rate for hunters." Jim Olterman, Terrestrial Biologist, concurs that in the Dolores area, hisimpression of the first season "is that harvest is very good.Many of the either-sex license holders are taking cows – just as we had hoped." In general, hunter numbers seem to be down about 50% over past years in the area, but the hunters who have been out seemed to appreciate not having the elk pushed around so much and even the unsuccessful hunters are reporting seeing more elk.

Pressure was light during the special hunt but picked up dramatically during the first combined rifle hunt.

The elk, according to reports, have started moving from the deep, dark high country woods. An early snowstorm forced them down off the highest ground. Another snowstorm moved into the Four Corners area on Halloween.

According to the National Weather Service, hunters once again will probably see some of the white stuff over the higher terrain with rain at lower elevations by late Saturday night or early Sunday morning. The storm will likely have some wind with it as well. Snow levels will be dropping to 5,000 feet by late Sunday evening or early Monday morning.

The final hunt is set Nov. 11-15.