2004 L1 Season Elk Herd (South Park)
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December 24, 2004
Big game seasons set through 2009 Durango Herald - Durango,CO,USA... with the flexibility to allow some units to have different opening dates to avoid pronghorn hunting during regular deer and elk seasons. ...

December 23, 2004
After the cold (to minus 13f below zero) and snowy weather we've had in the past few days there shouldn't be any elk left in the high country, most of them more than likely made it down to the ranch area. The local (CS) long-range forecast indicates that the daytime temperatures should remain in the forties through January third with no snow forcasted. Maybe that will bring them back to the foothills. Based on the local weather we've had in recent days, I suspect the low temperatures in the hunting area would be in the minus 20-30 degree (f) range. Hard to tell how much snow they've had, I wouldn't be surprised if it was a foot or more. During the L1 season I didn't make it to Dunlap, I know there were elk there, I seen where they came from 50 and made it to Lee Gulch and Dunlap, also seen where they crossed Rock Creek (JV ranch) to the FR 39 area, it looked like most must have made it to the Jefferson ranches. Dunlap is often quiet enough, that just maybe, some of them stayed around. Hopefully the last week of December and early January forecasted weather warm-up will bring the rest back to the foothills for the L2 season.

December 20, 2004
PROPOSED CHANGES TO SAN LUIS VALLEY ELK MANAGEMENT

A rapidly growing elk herd on the East side of the San Luis Valley has prompted the Colorado Division of Wildlife (DOW) to consider changes in how it manages elk in the Valley. For more information click here: News - Department of Natural Resources

Harlan Bitterlin and His Trophy Kansas White Tail Buck -December, 2004-
harlanbuck2004.jpg (Click on the picture to enlarge - that might make it look like a Colorado Mule Deer)

December 22, 2004
South Park easements bought with lottery funds Rocky Mountain News - Denver,CO,USA... will be preserved thanks to lottery grants from the Great Outdoors Colorado program ... Tarryall Creek runs through the area, which is home to deer, elk, waterfowl ...

Bear ate woodsman, but did it kill him? Anchorage Daily News (subscription) - Anchorage,AK,USA ... Still, he noted Schleyer himself had documented grizzly bears hunting elk during the rut near Yellowstone National Park. Could it ...

Five bull Elk - 2004
Sorry about the picture quality - considering the circumstancis this was the best we could do.
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December 16,2004
Hunter deaths scrutinized despite lack of evidence elk malady can ...Denver Post - Denver,CO,USA... Scientists watching for CWD in humans...

Where Have All The Elk Gone!

December 13, 2004
Made an overnight trip to Fairplay and Jefferson yesterday and early this morning checked for elk at some of the ranches around Jefferson, did not see any elk at the usual places, maybe, just maybe, the elk might have returned to the foothills. Did not go back into the hunting area, as it looked like there might be somewhat more snow than in South Park. In the past few days they have had high winds and I suspect the drifts could be pretty high on FR 56 (especially in that one shaded area), although, the Christmas tree cutters and dogsled operators may have it pretty well open by now. Highways, 285/24 and 9, were clear and dry, did not use SH77. The early morning temperature was 8 above in Fairplay. Was hopeful the five bulls with the well developed racks we had seen during the L1 season might still be loafing south of the Columbine Ranch. No photos this trip.

Stayed at The Western Inn Motel and RV Park on Hwy 285 in Fairplay just east of the Hwy 9 intersection (stop light). Toll free 877 306-3037 or 719 836-2026. A nice clean facility, I had a room with microwave, coffee pot, refrigerator and 4 burner stove with oven. Good rates too.

http://thewesterninn.com/index.html

Cow Elk and Calf - RMNP October 2nd, 2004
07-0222 Photo credit Jon Sercel

Elk updates

Dentry: Damage elk herd could cause no small potatoes
Rocky Mountain News - Denver,CO,USA
... Within that unit, the division would allow bull elk hunting from May to July (when antlers are still in velvet) and antlerless elk hunting from Aug. ...

Wasting disease is slow to spread in
Vail Daily News - Vail,CO,USA
WESTERN COLORADO - Tests conducted during hunting season this fall have found no significant spread of chronic wasting disease among deer and elk in Colorado. ...

L1 Elk Season Summary

The L1 season will end December 5th and L2 will start January 1st and run thru January 9th.

The first weekend of the L1 season there were quite a few hunters and at least three cows were taken. One group worked the timber from 39 east, that's where they got the cows. During the week a large number of elk migrated from 50 and the Kenosha Mountains and made it through the hunting area to the Jefferson ranch land, not enough hunter pressure to slow them down and break up the larger herds. On our way-out Friday we seen four large herds that made it to the ranches in 501 and 50.

It looked like more elk migrated through the area during this season than what we experienced last year during the L2 season. And again we seen a number of bulls with well developed racks. Now the question is, will the elk be back in the foothills for the L2 season. During the L2 season last year quite a few elk went back and forth several time from the ranches back to National Forest.

The early morning temperatures ran from minus 10 to minus 22 degrees, the daytime temperatures were most generally above zero, with lots of sunshine, making it feel munch warmer than it was. We did get several inches, and almost twelve inches in some areas, of powder snow. Great Colorado weather.

SH 77 is treacherous and snow packed, we elected to go around using Hwy. 24 to 9 to 285 and from Fairplay to County Road 43. County Road 43 comes out on SH77 near FR39, a couple real slick spots on SH77 a mile or so from the 77/39 intersection. Anybody driving a Motor-home or pulling a trailer should consider this route. It's about 16 miles further but faster and certainly much safer.

Field Update December 1st, 2004

Field Update November 26th, 2004

L1 Elk Season

L1 Elk season starts Nov 27th and runs thru Dec 5th.
For more information click DOW Hunting on the right sidebar.

L2 Season 2003 (Jerry's herd)
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New big-game season structure

New big-game season structure
Craig Daily Press - Craig,CO,USA
... During the 2004 hunting season, unlimited elk licenses were available during the fourth season. The DOW will limit elk licenses ...

Jason and Ryan - Jason's first buck with a bow
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OK.... Finally did it. I shot my first Whitetail deer with a bow and arrow!!!!!!!!!!!
Jason

Petitioners asked for a switch to limited bull-elk hunting in some units

Dentry: Population control begins with changes to rifle seasons
Rocky Mountain News - Denver,CO,USA
... Petitioners asked for a switch to limited bull-elk hunting in units 80 and 81 in the San Luis Valley, units 43, 47 and 471 near Aspen and units 54, 55 and 551 ...

Owners of large tracts of land to sell licenses and set hunting seasons

DOW license decision coming
Craig Daily Press - Craig,CO,USA
... private land, such as 301 north of Craig, which is limited for antelope, and other ... owners of large tracts of land to sell licenses and set hunting seasons on

Local hunting good, not great

Local hunting good, not great Aspen Times - Aspen,CO,USA
... Tucker said it seemed like a higher than usual number of out-of-state residents came for that first season, which was elk hunting only. ...

Elk, deer begin migration

Dentry: Hunters saying 'Let it snow' as elk, deer begin migration
Rocky Mountain News - Denver,CO,USA
... and aspen winter range. Hunting pressure had pushed elk into heavy cover, away from roads and ATV trails. Third- and fourth-rifle ...

Mt. Silverheels (4,213 meters) is a mountain located in the Mosquito Rang north of Fairplay named for a dance hall girl who stayed in Buckskin Joe in the 1860s during the smallpox epidemic to help nurse miners back to health. The mountain was named by the miners in her memory.
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Tarryall School -Teachers Cabin and Outhouses - A Historical Site
07-1137B.jpg (Oct 29th, 2004) Click on picture to enlarge

Wyoming Antelope -2004
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We had one day to hunt and Kelly Kirsch took this goat in Wyoming. It scored 88 5/8, green, and needs to be 82 to make the book.
Bill Sutter

October 31st, 2004 - Just before the storm
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October 31
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Spent the day hunting deer in GMUs 50, 500 and 501. Seen a small heard near the closed Round Mountain Campground. No bucks in the herd, however, when I came through the same area later that day one party had a deer hanging. That was the only one seen all day. Seen two herds of elk, the first was crossing SH 77 just below the Lazy River Ranch. They crossed from Forest Land onto private property along the Tarryall River. Might have been thirty or more in the heard. Not enough light to see if any bulls were in the herd. The other herd of fifty or more were on ranch land near Jefferson. A calf was laying on the ground near US 285 and it's mother was running back and forth trying to get it up. The calf looked like it had got caught in the fence when the herd crossed US 285 from GMU 500 to 50. It was just worn-out and had also lost one of it's horns in the fence foray. The mother came right up to my truck like she was begging for help, would like to have been able to help her. Later I talked to some hunters at the Jefferson Store and they said the Game Wardens knew about the calf. The area Game Wardens are good about helping animals in distress, and only as a last resort will they destroy them. Got back to Lake George and on home before the snow storm and bad weather moved in. I could see that it was on the way. The temperature dropped considerably and it started to snow, understand they have since received several inches of snow.

October 29th, 2004

The third combined rifle season opens Saturday, October 30th. The local TV Weatherman reported ice and some snow on Ute and Wilkerson Passes early this morning and snow down to about 8500 feet in some areas. Some areas on the western slope received lots of snow. For more detailed weather and road conditions check the Tarryall Elk Camp link to CDOT Real Time Roads and Weather.

"Wild" Old Black Horse -
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This black horse and his white buddy roamed our hunting area for a number of years. The white horse disappeared, I believe, in the late 1980s, the black one was around until sometime in the mid 1990s. I don't believe any hunters ever got closer than 50-100 yards to either one, they often surprised hunters on game trails, and would immediately disappear in the black timber. I've heard that local ranchers had tried to entice the black horse into their corrals with hay in the winter time, but the old horse would get so close and then take off like a bat out of Hades. Both horses must have spent some tough winters in the foothills where the winter temperatures run 20-30 degrees below zero often with a foot or two of snow on the ground. During the hunting season both horses looked healthy and well fed. I never had a chance to see them in the early spring. They must have looked rather tough after a winter of pawing at the snow to get to the grass to feed.

Wyoming Big game success rate good so far - by Carole CloudwalkerCody Enterprise - Cody,WY,USA... black bear have been good. But success in moose and antelope hunts has lagged, and deer hunting "is quite slow," McWhirter said". ...

Backroads with Ron &Raven"ESPN - USAJust recently I returned from Colorado's Black Mountains with more elk hunting information. By adding my most recent elk experience ...

Cole and Waugh Mountain Bull Rack - 1965
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10/4/2004 3:45:45 PM Mountain Daylight Time
From: Cole
To: Glenn

The antlers are from Waugh Mountain, north and west of Canon City, near the Stirup Ranch. Henry, Charlie and I were hunting there one fall and I ran onto a bear and followed it to where it had made a kill. Henry and Charlie cut the rack, feet and ivory out and Henry and I went back a couple days later to take the bear. When we returned the weather was still bad and it had dropped another two feet of snow on top of the first foot. We had a hard time finding the site as the bear had moved the carcass another fifty yards down hill and had been sleeping with it, along with the crows and the coyotes. When we saw the size and the shape of the bear paws in the snow Henry said " If you see that SOB coming, empty your rifle because we'll never out run him in this snow and as high up in the trees as he's been swatting at the crows he'll reach us for sure."

I have some pictures of Henry and I holding up the rack on Kenny's picnic table. He was down working on Margaret's kitchen and we hadn't taken any pictures up to that point. Maybe I can send them to you to scan, but they're kind of old and Henry and I look like a couple of kids in them.

The rack hung in Henry's garage for many years until Charlie got the six point at Tarryall. I had the cape tanned and had it mounted. It scored 360 something but still wasn't large enough for Boon and Crockett.

We never got the bear. Waugh Mountain is just east of Black Mountain, where Old Mose was killed, Colorado's legendary grizzly, notorious for killing livestock and humans ( The death of Jake Radcliff and Old Mose), back in the early 1900s. I swear the one I saw was his son. The guy I was with when we saw the bear, asked me what we were going to do with it when we caught up to it as the tracks were bigger than ours in the snow.

The Stirup Ranch used to be owned by Rick" Goose" Gossage who I went to school with. Goose later ended up pitching for the New York Yankees.

There is a book on Old Mose if you are interested I have a copy.

Cole

Tarryall Elk Camp Hunters - 2003 (Don, Darrel and Jason) (Click on picture to enlarge and see the results of a great shot)
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No one can dispute that Colorado's deer herds have recovered

October 26th, 2004

Roy and Elaine Johnson know a thing or two about hunting season

Montrose Daily Press - Montrose,CO,USA... and elk heads, as well as a mountain lion, bighorn sheep and antelope mounts ... Elaine Johnson has a customized 7x57 Mauser that she uses for deer hunting and 7mm ... style="font-size:130%;color:#33ccff;">

October 25th, 2004 - Second Combined Rifle Season (Oct 16-24)

Talked to Al A. and he indicated that his group seen about thirty head of deer on private property near SH 77 and US 24 last weekend, "all baldheaded" no bucks in the bunch. This was the only deer seen.
They also ran into a good size herd of elk south of the reservoir, some bulls in the heard, but a short burst of snowy weather moved in on them too fast to get any shooting.

October 24th, 2004

Kenney S held out for that big Wyoming Antelope Buck and got it the last day of the season, said the Prongs measured about 16 inches -- have I got that right Kenney.

October 22, 2004
The Weather Service has reported that elevations above 10,000 feet have received as much as 15 inches of new snow. Some ski areas are now open. From all indications the Front Range did not fare as well with little or no snow accumulation.

For current weather and road conditions click CDOT Real Time Roads and Weather . You can also link to this site from the right sidebar. You can view live video from certain locations throughout Colorado showing highway and weather condition. Check it out, quite interesting.

Pre-Hunt Survey - October 17th, 2004

Made a pre-hunt survey of GMU 50 and 501 today, can't say that it looked very promising. Several camps along FR 39 and the Turner Gulch/Lasalle Pass area but no game hanging and did not find any hunters that had even seen game. This is the 2nd Rifle combined season (October 16 - 24). Some snow and colder weather might help, the current weather forecast indicates this might happen this next week. Seen a number of sled dog teams as well as hunters on horseback on the road. The sled dog teams had caution signs out warning that they were working their dogs on the roads.

CWD TESTING UNDERWAY FOR 2004 HUNTING SEASONS

Hunters have access this year to 26 different CWD submission sites at DOW offices. Hunters may also submit heads through participating veterinarians in 30 locations around the state. For a complete list of submission sites, addresses, and hours of operation, click on the chronic wasting disease page at the DOW Web site at http://wildlife.state.co.us/CWD/index.asp

Extracted from DOW INSIDER 10/15/04.

06-0480c Jan 2003

I was sure I was dead

Hunter: 'I was sure I was dead'
The Casper Star Tribune - Casper,WY,USA
... Scott said he was "kind of excited." He thought it was a big bull elk. ... Officials say the animal was then killed by a hunting companion who said the bear was ...

COOLER, WETTER WEATHER COULD HELP HUNTER SUCCESS

COOLER, WETTER WEATHER COULD HELP HUNTER SUCCESS RATES DURING SEASON OPENER

Colorado's first rifle elk season begins this Saturday and, as always, hunter success will depend mostly upon the weather. Hunters who have planned their elk hunt for the first season have reason to be optimistic due to cooler, wetter weather in the high country.

Colorado's current elk population stands at an estimated 279,000 animals, down from more than 305,000 in 2001, thanks to effective herd-management strategies in recent years.

"We continue to make progress in reducing Colorado's abundant elk herds as a way of improving the long-term health of these animals and their habitats," said John Ellenberger, big game coordinator for the Colorado Division of Wildlife (DOW). "And we will continue to issue a large number of cow and either-sex licenses to further reduce herds where they are over objective."

This year, hunters might have a significant advantage if cool, wet weather persists through the state's four rifle seasons. For the past several years, hunter success has been hindered by drought conditions throughout the state; unseasonably hot and dry weather causes animals to congregate in cool, dark timber, making it more difficult to track them.

Thanks to higher precipitation and cooler temperatures this autumn, hunter success rates for this year's archery season were about normal. Post-season reports indicate that Colorado's archery hunters may have found it easier to track animals. Even so, weather traditionally does not have as large an effect on archery hunter success as it does on rifle season success.

From the reports I have heard, we had a normal archery season in terms of hunter success, Ellenberger said. Approximately one-fifth of total hunting pressure takes place during the primitive seasons. It tends to be more of a recreational season than the rifle seasons, which play more of a game-management role.

Harvest statistics show that archers have accounted for a little more than 10 percent of the total harvest in recent years.

Still, there is always the possibility of too much of a good thing when it comes to weather. Continuous heavy snow or rain throughout the rifle seasons, which last through early November, can hinder hunter access and again drive down hunter success rates. DOW biologists are hoping that the 2004 season will have the right amount of precipitation to keep success rates high and equal or crest the 2003 harvest of more than 57,000 elk.

If this weather persists into the rifle seasons and as long as roads remain in good condition, guys could have some great hunting conditions, Ellenberger said.

Hunters who want to take advantage of what could be favorable conditions heading into the 2004 big game seasons still have plenty of opportunity. The DOW still has leftover licenses for bulls and cows and there are over-the-counter bull licenses available for many areas of the state.

For a current list of remaining leftover licenses visit: http://wildlife.state.co.us/Leftoverlicenses/.

Over-the-counter bull licenses for the second, third and fourth rifle seasons are available from license agents throughout the state, DOW offices and on the DOW Web site at: http://wildlife.state.co.us/total_licensing/.

Hunters can also purchase these licenses by calling 1-800-244-5613. The product code for nonresident over-the-counter bull elk licenses is 026. The product code for resident over-the-counter bull elk licenses is 022.

A nonresident bull elk license costs $490.25. A nonresident cow elk license is $250.25. A resident bull or cow elk license costs $30.25. All Hunters born on or after Jan. 1, 1949, must have proof of hunter education to purchase a hunting license in Colorado. # # #

For more information about Division of Wildlife go to: http://wildlife.state.co.us.

Tarryall 1991- Henry with spike bull and a couple cows
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More elk stories

HUNTING LICENSE SALES UP FROM LAST YEAR
KJCT - Grand Junction,CO,USA
Colorado hunters are prepping their equipment as rifle elk hunting season is set to begin this week. ... The first season of rifle hunting for elk begins Oct. ...

Second Gillette man attacked by grizzly
Gillette News Record - Gillette WY,USA
Another Gillette man has been attacked by a grizzly bear, this time while elk hunting west of Dubois in Teton County. Weston Scott ...

No Pain, No Elk
Field and Stream - USA
... As if anything in this harsh country--least of all a herd of bull elk that has probably made it through four hunting seasons--plays by the rules of the ...

Relatives say grizzly attack victim recovering in Idaho
The Casper Star Tribune - Casper,WY,USA
DUBOIS, Wyo. (AP) -- Relatives of a Gillette man attacked by a grizzly bear while elk hunting say he is recovering in an Idaho hospital. ... Doctors put a titanium plate in Cash's temple to cover a quarter-sized wound from a tooth. He also needed dozens of staples and stitches in his head and three pins in his hand.

RMNP Royal Bull Elk - October 2, 2004 - the tree behind the bull with bark rubbed off is a tree the bulls have used to rub the velvet from their horns. Click to enlarge for printing or viewing.
07-218 Photo credit Jon Sercel

Colorado's first 2004 rifle elk season

HUNTERS ENJOY SUCCESSFUL FIRST RIFLE ELK SEASON

Judging by reports from Colorado Division of Wildlife (DOW) biologists throughout the state, Colorado's first rifle elk season seemed to provide success rates equal to or better than last year.

For more information about Division of Wildlife go to: http://wildlife.state.co.us.

Extracted from DOW INSIDER 10/15/04

Tarryall Elk Camp Hunters - 1993
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Hunter bags albino bear

Hunter bags albino bear near Whitefish
Billings Gazette - Billings,MT,USA
"I was just out elk hunting," Rob Derby said. "We were trying to get a bull to come in. We were bugling. We started walking along ...

Colorado Elk Hunting Report

Colorado ELK hunters should succeed under right conditions
Denver Post - Denver,CO,USA

... Observers also report that elk remain at relatively high elevation across much of the ... well as to private land with less pressure or where no hunting is allowed ...

Audio comments on recent Wyoming antelope hunting and fishing.

Subj: Wyoming antelope hunting
Date: 10/9/2004 6:22:12 PM Mountain Daylight Time
From: Donnie T
To: Glenn

HI GLEN, JUST A NOTE TO LET YOU KNOW WE HAD ALL OUR ANTELOPE DOWN BY 9 SATURDAY MORNING, SAW LOTS OF BUCKS BUT NONE THAT KENNEY THOUGHT WAS BIG ENOUGH. DONNIE

South Park elk herd & Kenosha Mountains (the cones)
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MORE ON THE ELK HUNTER'S ENCOUNTER WITH A GRIZZLE BEAR

KENNEWICK man helps elk hunter after Wyoming head biting grizzly attack
Mid Columbia Tri City Herald - Mid-Columbia,WA,USA
... said he and Tolkacz were together and had just met the other members of their hunting party, who had brought horses in to pack out the elk Warehime had shot. ...

You'll be sorry you messed with Tom's lunch
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TARRYALL ELK HERD - BEN TYLER NEAR THE COLORADO TRAIL
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More Elk & Antelope Stories

Snow on the Peak (9/22/04)
Pikes Peak received a dusting of snow down to timber line last night and some mountain communities are reporting snow and nighttime temperatures well bellow freezing and some ski areas reporting 10 to 17 inches of new snow. Rifle Elk hunting must not be far off.

Seasons first Big Game hunter death reported

A hunter missing since Saturday was found dead in southwestern Colorado, authorities did not know at the time if weather was a factor. The body of Jesse Heath of Grand Junction was spotted from the air Tueday in LaPlata County. Rescuers had been looking for Heath since Sunday, September 19th. Weather had grounded search aircraft until Tuesday. Archery, Muzzleloading and some Private Land Rifle seasons were open for beig game hunting at the time.

Wyoming hunter hears crunching sound as bear bites his headESPN - USA... Cash was part of an elk hunting party about 30 miles north of Jackson, Wyo., Tuesday. Cash was alone, scrambling to the top of a steep ridge. ...

BUCKSKIN NETWORK HELPS HUNTERS DURING FAMILY EMERGENCIES

Families who need to reach hunters due to life-or-death situations during the Hunting season may call any one of the Colorado State Patrol's five regional communication centers. The Craig center, which is a clearinghouse for the Buckskin Network, can be reached at (970) 824-6501 . Hunters who hear their names, hometowns and states during radio and TV broadcasts should call the Craig center to retrieve personal messages. For a complete listing of Colorado State Patrol communication centers, visit http://csp.state.co.us/ComCtrs.htm.

ELK license numbers may double The Casper Star Tribune - Casper,WY,USA... Game and Fish had already authorized a total of 100 elk licenses for hunting areas 113 and 126 for the season this fall. The special ...

FEE proposal targets hunting preference
Denver Post - Denver,CO,USA
... The specifics are these: ...Under the latest plan, a bull elk license would cost $45, a ... fees haven't been adjusted since 1992 for any form of hunting or fishing. ...

FEE proposal targets hunting preference
Denver Post - Denver,CO,USA
... Similar, it would cost $30 for a buck or either-sex antelope license, $20 for ... resident fees haven't been adjusted since 1992 for any form of hunting or fishing ...

WYOMING digest
Billings Gazette - Billings,MT,USA
... RAWLINS - Despite the deaths of up to 500 elk in the Red Rim area southwest of Rawlins last winter, elk hunting in south-central Wyoming is expected to be good ...

NEED MORE OLD PICTURES
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MORE ELK STORIES

DISEASE detection prompts hunt changes
The Casper Star Tribune - Casper,WY,USA
... and Fish director, said Thursday the hunt area where the outbreak of the disease occurred in cattle earlier this year will be closed to regular elk hunting. ...

CAMO green, bright orange are current rage as hunting seasons are ...
Wet Mountain Tribune - Westcliffe,CO,USA
... Licenses for elk hunting can be purchased over-the-counter for the last three seasons and are available locally at the Country Store, Westcliffe Super Market ...

SAND Dunes' woes not over
Denver Post - Denver,CO,USA
... Elsewhere in Colorado, elk are controlled by letting humans hunt them. But federal law bans hunting in national parks, so the Park Service faces a dilemma. ...

TWO BC men escape grizzly attack alive
CTV - Canada
... hunting in British Columbia earlier this week are lucky to be alive after being attacked by grizzly bears. Jay Stafford, 28, was packing up a butchered elk in ...

DA to be sentenced in G&F license case - by Jami Badershall
Cody Enterprise - Cody,WY,USA
... Using his parent's Cody address, he obtained six resident fishing licenses and eight elk, seven deer and one black bear resident hunting license. ...

STUDY: Wolves have little impact on moose
Billings Gazette - Billings,MT,USA
... on 14 of the 22 state-operated feedgrounds and have displaced elk at several ... The Game and Fish Department averaged about 500 moose hunting licenses issued each ...

HUNTER gets probation in shooting death of lifelong friend
Denver Post - Denver,CO,USA
... Doug Jones, who also pleaded no contest to a charge of hunting in a careless ... Prosecutors said Jones thought he saw a six-point elk that dim and foggy morning ...

BULL'S-EYE!
Field and Stream - USA
... strong legs, big lungs, and a keen understanding of habitat Locating elk becomes easier once you move a mile, or farther, from areas of high hunting pressure. ...

WILDLIFE commissioners OK lion study
Durango Herald - Durango,CO,USA
... Recreational hunting will be allowed to the extent possible in the second five ... It's large, relatively isolated and has an abundant population of elk and deer ...

Audio comments on the Alaskan trip and Wyoming Antelope hunting

Audio comments on Jason's big Catfish

Alaska 2004
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Click here to see Jason's big Cat
Steph and J's Place

DOW TO HOLD ANTLER AND HIDE AUCTION

The Colorado Division of Wildlife (DOW) will auction off deer and elk antlers that have been acquired through seizures and road kills.

The antlers will be available for public inspection from 10 a.m. through 4 p.m. on Sept. 18, and from 8 a.m. through 2 p.m. on Sept. 23 at the old DOW office at 2126 N. Weber St. in Colorado Springs. Sealed bids must be submitted by 5 p.m. on Sept. 24.

At the auction, several bear and mountain lion hides will also be available. The hides were acquired from road kills and as a result of livestock depredation. The public will not be allowed to inspect the hides because they will remain frozen, but the condition of the hides will be described on the bid sheets.

Bull Elk Bugle

The Bull Bugle has been placed under LINKS OF INTEREST. I've found a better clip and will post it at a later date.

Audio comments on Alaska and Powderhorn trip

Audio comment on the below picture of Henry

POWDERHORN PICTURES

More of Melanie's Powderhorn pictures can be found in the September 2004 ARCHIVE file.
Click on the picture to enlarge it for viewing or printing.

Henry - No cook-No eat
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Robert - (Trail Boss) - Powderhorn - 2004
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Lower Powderhorn Lake
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Henry with his Great-Granddaughter and
Granddaughter Holly - Powderhorn - 2004
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Cal and Henry - If we sit here long enough it will surely wamr-up
(Click to enlarge for viewing or printing)
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Brothers Three - Powderhorn -2004
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INFORMATIO ON SETTING UP A BLOG

Several have asked how to setup a Blog.

Check the LINKS OF INTEREST at Tarryall Elk Camp

1) You must first setup a BLOGGER ACCOUNT.
2) To upload pictures you must setup a HELLO ACCOUNT.
3) To setup audio on your Blog you must setup AUDIO BLOGGER.
4) To use a hit counter on your Blog you must go to BLOG HIT COUNTER.

If you have any idea how HTML tagging works, setup will take just a few minutes each. If not it will take a few minutes more -- step-by-step instructions are easy to follow. All are free.

The best information I've found on HTML is at W3 Schools W3Schools Online Web Tutorials --it's free also. A great site.


Glenn

CWD Test Reimbursements

WILDLIFE COMMISSION REQUIRES CWD TESTS MEET FEDERAL STANDARDS IN COLORADO

Hunters whose deer, elk or moose test positive for chronic wasting disease this fall will only be reimbursed for the cost of their license and game processing if the test meets federal approval.

Audio Blogger

I wont be able to run the AUDIO BLOGGING feature for a while, http://audioblogger.com , is down for maintenance. Hopefully they will be back on line this next week.

Glenn

Powderhorn Group 2004
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Henry - 4 Generations
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Cal - 4 Generations
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End of TheTrail - Powderhorn 2004
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Brothers - Powderhorn 2004
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Alaska

Cole,

Received your post card today, thanks, looking forward to seeing your pictures. I've been to Mt McKinley a number of times but only seen the top of the mountain once and that was for just a few minutes.

I keep wondering why I haven't moved to Alaska, it's a great place. What a life that would be to have a small airplane up there.

Glenn

PS

Henry and his brothers made it to Powderhorn OK, some good stories and no incidents of any consequences. Said the ground was hard as hell and had about four inches of snow. He had four generations of his family this trip. Said the next time he goes it will be in a little two pound box.

gh

BULL ELK SHEDING VELVET FROM HIS HORNS - RMNP 2004
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MONAHAN and CR-77 - 2003
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LOOKING WEST FROM 2003 CAMP
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BULL ELK AND HIS HAREM
07- 014drA (L2 Season 2003 - Click to enlarge)

2003 L2 Season - FR826
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TARRYALL ELK CAMP
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All previously posted photos that were posted on this Blog can be found in the ARCHIVE files (no photos were posted prior to May, 2004). You can click on the photos to enlarge the photo for viewing or printing.

I have other photos on: www.hooperfamily.blogspot.com
DOW RESERVATIONS: http://wildlife.state.co.us/hunt/Small_Game/reservations.asp
Get paid to Hunt and Fish

CAMP

Tarryall Elk Camp is located in the South Park area of Colorado. In most hunting seasons the camp is located in the Rock Creek drainage area at an elevation of 9,000 to 10,000 feet. The Camp consists of the third and fourth generation of friends and a group that is loosely related that have been hunting the area for over 70 years. The Spielman's, Brough's and Sutter's worked cattle ranches in the Tarryall's, worked with the Forest Service, CCC Camps, owned and operated sawmills, prospected and mined in the area from the early 1900s to the 1940s. In the 1930s Roy Voorhees grandparents had a home and raised potatoes near the current town of Tarryall. It's possible Corral Creek near Goose Creek and the Platte River is named after that family. Glen Brady worked for the Pike National Forest from about the 1940s to the 1960s. Some of the other old-timers names that come to mind are Walter Zanzig, Ray Dunaway, Ray LaVera, John Crouch, Norm Steinberg, Larry Fishinger, Bernie, Curtis and Ryan . This is not an outfitter sponsored group but a group that has enjoyed Colorado's God given breathtaking beauty and camaraderie only experienced by devoted hunters, and those that have a love affair with "Colorado's Winter Wonderland" and a nice warm tent. Well, most, nowadays that is, have their Motor Homes and Campers and all the creature comforts and gadgets that come with them. I sure don't hear much yearning for the good old days from that bunch. They prefer their GPS's and ATV's over the old compass and pack horses. If that's what it takes to enjoy this great outdoors so be it. The most important thing is just being there and enjoying one of Colorado's most picturesque wilderness and its abundant wildlife with your good friends and family. The evenings around a camp fire will always be remembered where old stories are told and retold with all the excitement as though they had happened yesterday, always getting a laugh or chuckle even from those that have heard the same stories every year for a good many years.

ELK IN THE FALL

By late August the bull elk's antlers stop growing. The blood vessels inside the velvet dry up, causing the velvet to fall of, and the bulls rub the velvet off on trees and brush. In the fall, elk also begin to shed their thin summer fur and grow warm winter coats. This is when the calves lose their spots. Beginning in September, elk group together to mate during a four- to six-week period called the "rut". During that time, bulls begin to bugle and form "harems," or groups of about 15 to twenty cow elk. Bulls bugle to let the cows know they are there and scare other bulls away. Each bull tries to convince the cows that he's the healthiest and mightiest elk around because the cows want to mate with the biggest and healthiest bull. This mating ritual will also help propagate healthey herds for the future. When two large bulls cross paths, they wage violent battles for control of the harem. Most of the time one bull will know he is outmatched and will simply run away --but sometimes they fight to death. During the rut, the elk are so busy that they can't eat much, and the bulls use up lots of energy chasing cows and fighting. So in the weeks after the rut, the elk must eat constantly to build up fat in order to survive the on coming winter. In an environment where the wolf exists, the wolves will stock the bull and break up the herds in smaller groups forcing the elk to graze in other areas, preventing range over grazing. This is also where the wolf will make his kill.With his head down while constantly eating to restore the fat lost during the rut the bull is easy prey for the wolf. Of course we do not have the wolf in Colorado or the South Park area, however, just recently a wolf was found on I70 west of Denver that had been run over by a vehicle. They claim this was most likely a lone wolf that had migrated to Colorado from packs that had been transplanted in Yellowstone National Park. If we had the wolf in Colorado we would have healthier elk herds and another tool to manage our elk population. We now have more elk in Colorado than what some experts feel we should have. The problem is greater than just issuing more elk licenses to the hunters.

See Postings/Links elsewhere on this Blog concerning the introduction of the Wolf in Colorado and the beneficial effects it might have on Rocky Mountain National Park and the Elk herds within the Park and surrounding area.

ELK STATISTICS CLARIFICATION

The statistics listed in the news release “OVER-THE COUNTER BULL ELK LICENSES OFFER LAST-MINUTE OPPORTUNITIES, HIGH SUCCESS RATES” as the “top 13 GMUs in terms of success rates for over-the-counter bull elk licenses during the second, third and fourth seasons in 2003” should read "top 13 GMUs in terms of success rates for all high-powered rifle bull elk licenses where over-the-counter bull elk licenses are available. These statistics include the first rifle season, late-seasons, and private land hunts, which are by draw only.

These statistics still illustrate good over-the-counter bull units, since they are the GMUs with the highest rifle success rates for bulls, including the second, third and (in some units) fourth seasons, where over-the-counter licenses are valid.

OVER-THE-COUNTER BULL ELK LICENSES OFFER LAST-MINUTE OPPORTUNITIES, HIGH SUCCESS RATES

As far as elk hunting is concerned, Colorado has more opportunity and more elk than any other state or Canadian province. Colorado is also the only state that has over-the-counter bull elk and cow elk tags available.Because Colorado’s elk herd remains over population objective in many areas of the state, it is possible for hunters to have as many as three elk licenses. All of these factors make Colorado the elk hunting mecca of North America.Many hunters take advantage of Colorado’s elk hunting opportunities by purchasing over-the-counter bull tags. These licenses are popular with hunters from across the nation because they require little preparation and no preference points, and they allow hunters to literally plan hunts right up until the opening day of the season. Meanwhile, there are some statistics that may help hunters who plan on buying over-the-counter bull tags be successful if a last-minute opportunity for an elk hunt arises.Hunter success rates for individual game management units (GMUs) are valuable when planning a Colorado hunt. And while there are still some other factors that need to be researched, including the amount of public property and hunting pressure, success statistics can offer some insight to where to hunt with an over-the-counter license.The following are the top 13 GMUs in terms of success rates for over-the-counter bull elk licenses during the second, third and fourth seasons in 2003:
Unit, Success rate, Hunters, Animals Harvested
441* 79% 613 483
13 71% 859 612
741 65% 121 79
301* 56% 599 338
5* 54% 439 238
12 53% 1533 805
75* 53% 391 208
214 51% 335 170
4* 50% 1344 667
211 49% 1159 568
140 49% 100 49
11 48% 1169 566
3* 46% 876 403

*Over-the-counter bull licenses not valid in fourth combined season.

While success rates will vary from year to year, many of the units listed above have success rates well above 50 percent. This is a good indication that a hunter will have ample opportunity to be successful with an over-the-counter bull license. Over-the-counter bull licenses are available from license agents throughout Colorado, Colorado Division of Wildlife (DOW) offices, and on the DOW Web site at: http://wildlife.state.co.us/total_licensing/. Hunters can also purchase these licenses by calling 1-800-244-5613. The product code for nonresident over-the-counter bull elk licenses is 026. The product code for resident over-the-counter bull elk licenses is 022. A nonresident bull elk license costs $490.25. A resident bull elk license costs $30.25. Hunters born on or after Jan.1, 1949, must have proof of hunter education to purchase a hunting license in Colorado. For additional statistics from the 2003 hunting season visit: http://wildlife.state.co.us/huntrecap/index.asp. # # #For more information about Division of Wildlife go to: http://wildlife.state.co.us/.

HUNTING CHECK STATIONS ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT

The Colorado Division of Wildlife will operate check stations throughout the state this fall as part of continued efforts to manage and monitor the well-being of wildlife, as well as track any violations of state hunting regulations.The DOW sets up check stations around Colorado each year to gather DNA samples from game animals and to check for any evidence of poaching.“It’s a very efficient system. We set up in areas that have a high concentration of hunters and make lots of contacts in a day,” said Pat Tucker, the DOW's area wildlife manager in Glenwood Springs.The check stations are designed to move motorists quickly through the process. Commercial vehicles are generally waived through, and private vehicles are pulled over for one quick question.“We ask people in every car, ‘Have you been hunting or fishing?’ If not, they’re on their way. If so, we ask them to pull over for a check,” Tucker said.DOW officials ask hunters the same questions they ask in the field, and review hunting licenses. Because hunting licenses are specific to the kind of animal that can be taken, including whether the animal is male or female, any animals in people's possession are examined for regulation compliance.“We check for all the elements of how we manage wildlife,” said John Bredehoft, chief law enforcement officer for the DOW. “We look to see if people are killing wildlife on other people’s licenses, if they have the right species, evidence of sex, if it’s tagged correctly, and if there are loaded firearms in the vehicles.”Bredehoft said about 5 percent of hunters who go through the check stations are in violation. The most common violations include party hunting, using a hunting license assigned to a different person, or taking extra animals, he said.“We check to make sure the body parts add up. If someone says they’ve got three animals and we find 13 quarters, we know something’s up,” Bredehoft said.Check stations in each region are set up according to the priorities of the area and are determined by the regional managers. On average, the DOW runs 15 to 20 stations for big game and 10 to 15 fishing check stations per year.“We’ll run them anytime, anywhere, and we don’t advertise them,” said Bredehoft, adding that surprise is crucial to the effectiveness of the check stations.The stations vary in size and scope, starting from a two-person operation on an access road to a check station on a state highway involving 15 to 20 people, including law-enforcement officers, biologists and wildlife managers. On a larger scale, Colorado officials cooperate with neighboring states on occasion, organizing interstate operations that can last up to three days.“Interstate operations are very labor and equipment intensive, so we can’t do them as often. But they’re very effective,” Bredehoft said.In most cases, check stations are a welcome sight to hunters, said Tucker, who runs them in Glenwood Springs.“The hunting public appreciates being checked. It takes just a few minutes of their time and it’s a chance for them to talk to the game warden and trade hunting information," he said.With each hunter's approval, DOW biologists also take advantage of the check stations by gathering DNA samples from game animals. The samples are then added to a DOW database to form a "DNA map” of animals throughout the state. A DNA sample, which is unique for each animal, can supply biologists with information about species, gender, herd populations, and in some cases, the animal's region of origin.“We can compare the DNA from the kill to our DNA database and see if the animal came from the area the hunter claims it’s from or if the DNA tells a different story,” Bredehoft said.Assistant Chief Law Enforcement Officer Eric Harper reported that between summer 2003 and spring 2004, the DNA database helped wildlife officials investigate 25 cases. Of these cases, 13 resulted in convictions or are pending court cases.“Penalties in some of these cases may be as severe as felony records, fines in the tens of thousands of dollars, jail time, and/or lifetime suspension from hunting and fishing licenses,” Harper said.For more information on hunting restrictions and poaching penalties, see the DOW 2004 Big Game brochure or go to http://wildlife.state.co.us/regulations.

Ketter's First Elk - November, 2003
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Chapel on the Rock - Estes Park, Colorado
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THE Good Elk Hunts Will Almost Kill You Field and Stream - USA.... your food and your legs give out, but unless you are skillful and canspend a lot of time in the woods each season, you will not get an elk
...<http://www.fieldandstream.com/fieldstream/hunting/article/0,13199,686375,00.html>

PUBLIC can help solve poaching cases Craig Daily Press - Craig,CO,USA.... Leo Duran, 48, was charged with hunting outside an established season and unlawfully failing to dress, care for and provide for edible portions of elk, a crime ...<http://www.craigdailypress.com/section/frontpage_lead/story/13460>

WOLVES might be classified as game mammals Salem Statesman Journal - Salem,OR,USA.... It allows the wolf to be considered a "game mammal," just like deer, black bear and elk, with exceptions about hunting. Trapping ...<http://news.statesmanjournal.com/article.cfm?i=85465>

Turkey buzzards and airplanes don't share the same air space well
07-ComboGert (Photo credit - Gert Wheeler)