-38 degrees in Craig

[Cohntr62]

I saw a weather report that said it was -38 degrees in Craig yesterday. Is that a problem for the wildlife? Does anyone know how the winter has been for the game in NW Colorado so far this year?

 

[cjoutfit]

Yes it was that cold, -41 today.
The biggest problem is we got 30 inches of snow in the winter ground in December and then the rain came and then got below zero so the snow crusted up and is making it very difficult for the wildlife to get to the feed under the snow, and in some areas there is a lot of competition with livestock so the DOW is putting out feed for the wildlife to pull them away from livestock.

We are definitely seeing a repeat of the 07-08 winter and we will lose a fair amount of critters this winter and spring, how much exactly who knows but it will definitely have an impact on next falls hunting and overall herd numbers which is always a question of how much wildlife is there exactly.

cjoutfitters.com

 

[Cohntr62]

Thanks. This isn't what I wanted to hear. Is it as bad down around Meeker?

 

[cjoutfit]

its been a little warmer around meeker, the south slopes are more open in that country

 

[foulshot]

>We are definitely seeing a repeat
>of the 07-08 winter and
>we will lose a fair
>amount of critters this winter
>and spring, how much exactly
>who knows but it will
>definitely have an impact on
>next falls hunting and overall
>herd numbers which is always
>a question of how much
>wildlife is there exactly.
>
>cjoutfitters.com

and one wonders how much DOW will downplay the winter kill numbers.
Thought I saw some -60ish temps down in SW part of the state.

 

[tailchasers]

Around Rangely its been bitter cold too but in the lower elevations on the winter grounds the snow cover ain't to bad. What we have noticed though is the number of animals in the wintering grounds is down when compared to winters past. Even in town the numbers are lower. That goes for north, south, and east of town. You don't have to head to far up in elevation though and the amount of snow increases quickly. The wind we had the other day made the snow real hard and will make it tough on the critters forcing them to move to other grounds but the best grounds are filled with flocks of sheep. Supposed to start warming up by this weekend but they are also forcasting snow. I don't think the blast of cold we got earlier this winter did much of anything to the animals and this last bout of cold hasn't been to extended with little snow on the south facing slopes will have much affect either. I think all in all the animals are in good shape for now.

 

[BeanMan]

Drove over Strawberry Pass a few weeks ago, it's got the potential to get real bad.

 

[Gator]

one of my nephews haul out a truckload of silage yesterday to a herd of about 70 Whitetail deer up in the Dakotas. The -30 cold will lay a hurting on them and everything else.

"I have found if you go the extra mile it's Never crowded".

 

[foulshot]

In Rangley, is that small elk herd just east and north of town on private land still there? They were on a river property.

 

[ramtagless]

Where do all the horses in 21 go during the winter? Close to town like the deer? Just curious....