Another winter-like storm expected to greet hunters for final hunt of season

Another winter-like storm expected to greet hunters for final hunt of season

Nov. 11, 2000

BY JIM THOMAS
Journal Sports Editor

For the first week of the first three hunts, hunters were greeted with wet weather. Why should the fourth and final hunt be any different? No. A Pacific Storm is expected to bring snow to the high country today, Nov. 11.

The special elk only hunt and the first two combined rifle hunts had wet weather to start. The special elk only hunt had rain while mixed light snow and rain greeted hunters for the two combined rifle hunts. The final rifle hunt ends at sundown Wednesday, Nov. 15.

According to the National Weather Service, snow showers are expected over the high terrain. Clouds should begin increasing by afternoon with showers expected tonight and Sunday morning and then clearing after that. Temperatures will also be cooler but not unseasonably cold.

Early reports across Colorado, according to the Division of Wildlife, elk hunters did not do well during the special elk only hunt, but did a little better during the first combined rifle elk and deer hunt which concluded Oct. 27. However, more and more deer hunters brought home bucks or does and others filled their elk tags in the third (second combined) hunt.

The first combined rifle big game hunt started Oct. 14. Rain and high-mountain snows greeted hunters that first weekend. Early reports were not good 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.

The next hunt started Nov. 4. Deer hunting also has been good in the LaPlata Mountains and Missionary Ridge. Many deer have been spotted near in Montezuma County as well as near Ignacio and Bayfield. Early reports have been a lot better. One young man picked off a doe in his paren’ts hayfield in southern Montezuma County. Several hunters, hunting near Pleasant View filled their cow and doe licenses but they did not get bucks or bulls.

Overall harvest reports have been slow in Southwestern Colorado, according to the DOW. Hunters have harvested a number of good-sized deer and a few elk.Typically, the hunters who were getting out and spending time in the field instead of camp are harvesting animals. Hunting success should be good for the coming season, now that the area has received some colder weather and snowfall.

But still worrisome is the lack of mature bucks, across the state. Lots of does have been spotted but very few big bucks. and that has the DOW a little worried.

In general, hunter numbers seem to be down about 50 percent over past years in the area, but the hunters who having been out seemed to appreciate not have 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. Pressure was more during the second hunt. Fewer hunters are expected for the final hunt.

For this final hunt, some places to go for deer include the Weeminuche Wilderness, Pagosa Springs area, Bayfield area, and around Pleasant View, Dove Creek, Rico, and Dolores. Groundhog Reservoir area, Haycamp Mesa, and Boggy Draw areas are all good places. Elk can be found in the higher terrain of the San Juan National Forest, Rio Grande National Forest, and in the Weminuch Wilderness.

Hunters should know that hunting is not allowed within 150 feet of developed National Forest or Bureau of Land Management recreation areas, or across from forest service roads or BLM roads. Camping is allowed almost everywhere in the national forests and BLM lands in Colorado. Thanks to some recent moisture, fire danger is low, although the Junction Creek area west of Durango is closed to camping.

Buckskin Network still available

DENVER — With the final Colorado big-game hunting season getting under way, the Division of Wildlife and the Colorado State Patrol have a program to help hunters in case there is an emergency at home.

The Buckskin Network is a unique program that involves all Colorado law enforcement agencies and commercial radio stations. Emergency messages are delivered to hunters via radio in the field.

More than 60 radio stations participate in getting the messages out.

The Buckskin Network started as a cooperation with the state patrol in 1959 when the Division was known as the Game and Fish Department.

Hunters with emergencies at home will have their name and hometown announced on commercial radio stations a minimum of three times daily. Announcement times may vary station to station, but broadcasts are made as close to 6 a.m., noon and 8 p.m. as possible.

State troopers, wildlife officers, forest rangers, Sheriff’s deputies and other law enforcement agencies are given the information and will look for vehicles and campsites if their locations are known.

If a hunter hears his/her name and hometown announced, he/she should call the state patrol in Craig at (970) 824-6501 to receive details of the messages.