Current conditions?

LAST EDITED ON Dec-31-18 AT 09:29AM (MST)[p]I've got a question for you residents, hoping you can put into perspective the weather/climate discussions we all have regarding planned elk/antelope/deer hunts. I am a NR from the east and though I follow the weather and the drought models, I am finding it very difficult to relate any of that to actual herd data. Same goes for winterkill info if there happens to be a harsh winter (or even an average winter, following a drought year).

I'm curious if there are any 30,000 foot synopsis reports of how the droughts or any recent winter are affecting herd numbers, particularly antelope in the NW and elk in SW? In advance of application season, is there likely to be a consensus on what would indicate a good upcoming year -vs- a poor one, in given units or regions? Thanks.

Also a NR and I'll 2nd these thoughts. As the winter progresses, I'd be interested in any info about weather and conditions for wildlife in NW Colorado. We plan to hunt there in 2019.

Winters been brutal probably won't be a single animal left by fall and all colorado residents will be jumping the border to Utah to hunt...just kidding

All seriousness it has been an average-ish snow pack here in western and northwestern colorado. Animals have been looking good so far but we have a lot of winter left to go. So far there hasn't been any crippling cold weather with deep snow. Seen some really nice bulls this year that made it through the fall, a couple solid bucks but nothing ungodly big. It was a realitivly down year as far as mega bucks went though.

Coloradoboy

Thanks Coloradoboy, I (and I am sure many others) would like to hear from you and other locals as the winter season progresses what you think is happening between weather and herds. I believe it is important to hear 1st hand thoughts on snowpack, late cold snaps, winter range, ultimately winterkill, and then spring moisture. I have not seen this information put together in an easily researchable format (maybe some of the pay sites do, but I am not on them yet). If there is such a place, please steer us over. And while many people may use this info to decide where to apply, or even IF to apply, the vast majority of non-residents probably won't hunt CO in any given year but do find it very interesting to keep informed about what's going on. We want the herds healthy and huntable for years to come too. Hopefully, DOW takes this stuff into consideration when setting cow/doe tag quotas each season.

Also - from my brief time on monster muleys, your posts seem to be be low on BS and high on practical info and so I pay attention to posts like yours and use them to cut through the clutter.

My current situation precludes me from caring about your opinion but go ahead and give voice to it anyway...

Remember that even if you find "official Info" its bought and paid for by someone.

Case in point all last winter we had "nice snowpack," "average snowpack", "120% of average snowpack" "Heavy snows in the high country"

Anyone with eyes could see it was total fabrication on a par with the "500 year drought" of a decade ago.

2 days after the ski areas closed we were in historic drought conditions with imminent water restrictions/fire restrictions coming sooner than later.

Much the same as believing the deer/elk counts and post hunt buck/doe ratios.

May not matter come spring growing season, but ski resorts opened early. Suspect winter kill will be average, and next year will be average for horn/antler growth.

Its early and this thread should probably be hibernated for a couple months. I expect just about around the application deadline in April, there will be more accurate info available in the event if some noteworthy winterkill calamity. I'd be most personally interested in anything affecting antelope in Moffat County or elk in SW.