Gunnison basin update

cabinfever · Jan 22, 2008

Anyone have an update on the condition of the deer in the gunnison basin? Are they starting to tip over yet.I'm Hope'n some of you guys liv'n in the basin can keep us updated.For now we'll just hold our breath and hope the money and time donated will have a postive outcome.

Mike

Waygoner · Jan 22, 2008

I helped a friend of mine feed at a site a few miles east of town over the weekend. He's been putting out 400 lbs of feed a day. He's estimating 200 animals within a one mile radius of his house. We counted 5 dead deer and several that looked to be in poor shape. Probably a lot more that we couldn't see. We did get a break with the weather. Single digits below zero instead of -20 or more. Sunny and in the teens for daytime highs. Over 250 volunteers have been helping with the effort. I'll post a pic I took when we were dropping feed.

A very big "thank you" to all who have donated $$ to the project.

cjboz · Jan 22, 2008

Who do you contact to donate a little money for some feed?

ColoradoOak · Jan 22, 2008

>Who do you contact to donate
>a little money for some
>feed?

http://wildlife.state.co.us/wildlifestore/category.aspx?categoryID=47

cabinfever · Jan 22, 2008

Waygoner, thanks for the update. I know a lot of guys are following this closely. Did most the deer as a whole seem healthy. Have you heard what kind of winterkill they are expecting with the feeding in place.It's been nice to see so many people donate time and money.

Mike

Waygoner · Jan 23, 2008

Overall the deer seem in pretty good shape. The yearlings are the ones having the toughest time. The snow is just too deep and they expend a lot of energy trying to get around. I haven't heard anything new about the winterkill prediction. It would be great if we could go another week without getting new snow.

txhunter58 · Jan 23, 2008

Is the Gunnison Basin the only one that is doing a feeding program and/or the only one that we can contribute to?

I will be hunting deer near Durango next fall and was hoping to contribute to that area.

txhunter58

venor, ergo sum (I hunt, therefore I am)

ColoradoBob · Jan 23, 2008

tx-----Things are OK, here in SW Colorado. I've not heard of any problems. Elk & Deer seem to have move down to the Indian lands south of Hiway 160. Cross your fingers---spring is still 6 weeks away. CB

txhunter58 · Jan 23, 2008

Good! Then I will contribute to the Gunnison feeding effort.

txhunter58

venor, ergo sum (I hunt, therefore I am)

Waygoner · Jan 24, 2008

Here is a pic of my friend unloading feed from his sled.
You can see the deer waiting behind him.

huntindude · Jan 28, 2008

How is it going around there guys? the forecast looks awful with a bunch more snow and continued below zero temps, this thing makes me sick. I want to thank everyone sending donations and for sure those of you back there getting the job done.

Waygoner · Jan 28, 2008

We've missed the bulk of the storm here. It snowed hard this morning but we've had blue sky most of the day. Much more snow north and south of us. Warm and breezy today, but another 6-8" is predicted for tonight.

BBB · Jan 28, 2008

Waygoner,
Thanks for the updates and keep them coming. I'm crossing my fingers up here in Oregon for you guys

huntindude · Feb 13, 2008

Looks like some warmer weather with highs around freezing by the weekend. how goes the battle?

Waygoner · Feb 14, 2008

We've had warmer temps and some melting the past few days. I think the operation will continue through the end of Feb. The DOW will then decide whether to extend it into March.

huntindude · Feb 14, 2008

How would you say it's going and what kind of shape are the deer in? what's our opinion on the whole situation at this point? thanks for your input.

Waygoner · Feb 15, 2008

The deer that are being fed are doing well, but only 1/3 of the 21,000 deer in the basin are getting the feed. There are a bunch of deer in remote areas that are on their own. The program is definitely helping, but I predict we'll lose 20-30% of the animals.