The Best Place For Elk Hunting in Colorado
According to the Colorado Division of Wildlife, elk hunting in Colorado during 2008 across all seasons and methods of take produced an elk hunter success rate of 20%. A total of 45,271 elk were harvested in Colorado in 2008. Traditionally success rates for elk hunting in Colorado have hovered around the 25% range, so 2008 was a somewhat less productive year compared to years past.
Data regarding the 2008 hunting seasons are available. A review of the data reveal a handful of gaming units that have enjoyed a higher than average hunter success rate. Unit 61, a unit on the Western slope encompassing portions of the Uncompahgre National Forest, harvested a total of 677 elk in 2008 producing a hunter success rate of 49%. Hunter success rates were 50% in units 40 and 851. Unit 40, where 920 elk were harvested in 2008, is also on the Western slope adjacent to the Utah boarder in Mesa County. Unit 851, where 286 elk were harvested, runs along Colorado’s southern boarder and is southwest of Trinidad. The highest noteworthy elk hunting success rate was 67%, found in unit 682. Unit 682 is in the south central portion of the state slightly northwest of the Great Sand Dunes National Monument.
Division of Wildlife data estimates the post 2008 elk hunting season statewide elk population to be approximately 283,210. DOW information relative to elk populations is examined with respect to herds that may traverse more than one gaming unit. With respect to the aforementioned hunting units, estimates from DOW suggest that approximately 21,430 elk are in or about unit 851. In addition, estimates show unit 61 with a herd of approximately 10,680 elk roaming through or about the area. Units 40 and 682 have markedly smaller herds, at 4400 and 300 elk respectively.
As any elk hunter will concede, if you show up in the middle of a herd of elk you will have a much easier time harvesting an elk. Inasmuch as this is true, it is also true that many other aspects of elk hunting preparation produce success. Knowing where elk are abundant and success rates are high may assist in future elk hunting success, but any astute elk hunter should be wary of the difference between the correlation of data, and its causation. There may be other circumstances inherent in some gaming units that produce higher success rates than others.