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.
8/27/04
8/26/04
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/.
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.
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.
8/25/04
8/23/04
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>
...<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>
8/22/04
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>
8/21/04
8/20/04
8/18/04
8/2/04
8/1/04
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COLORADO'S 2004 Elk ForecastRocky Mountain Game and Fish Magazine - USA.... If the weather cooperates, and that's always a big if in the RockyMountains, this fall should produce the best elk hunting Colorado hasever enjoyed for the ...<http://www.rmgameandfish.com/rm_aa084504a>
Hunters back stance by commissioners on elkAspen Times, CO - Aug 12, 2004By Eben Harrell. Local elk hunters were up in arms yesterday, figuratively, thank God, over a proposed restriction on bull elk hunting ...
Leftover license sales go smoothlyCraig Daily Press, CO - Aug 11, 2004As they did at many stores, hunters lined up outside of Cashway Distributors before it opened Tuesday, waiting to purchase leftover hunting licenses. ...
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Big Game Statistics can be found by linking to DOW....
Big Game Hunting Season ReCap Summaries & Harvest Statistics
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