San Juan

cumminsboy97 · Apr 13, 2010

LAST EDITED ON Apr-13-10 AT 06:47PM (MST)[p]How did the elk herds do this winter around the Monticello area? I have heard they got a ton of snow this year. Is that going to affect elk numbers at all this fall???
Thanks for the info!

cobra55 · Apr 13, 2010

Well sorry to tell you this, but the elk didn't do that well(too much snow) so anyone up north don't waste your money and time to come down here this summer/fall lets just let the elk recover we will keep our eyes on them for everyone up north. Thanks for your concern

Gator · Apr 14, 2010

The deer and elk herds did get some winterkill the ones that got out into the canyons did ok but the ones that tried to winter close to the mountain got hammered.

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

Blanding_Boy · Apr 14, 2010

Yep they are all gone, dead, killed by the snow. You would be wasting your time applying and if you have a tag this year you should turn it back in

Seriously though elk and winter kill from snow is kind of funny. I can't think of any research or any where where elk have had a significant die off from a 'hard' winter or from a 'heavy' snow winter.

Todd Black
BTO

carbonnation · Apr 14, 2010

blanding boy,

When and where is that video of yours going to be available? I sent you an e.mail, but have not heard back. Can't wait to see it.

Gator · Apr 14, 2010

Todd I'm not a BIO like yourself. But I can still count the bodies along the Hwy. It seem like there was alot more dead animals or maybe the snow just makes them stick out more, But you're not seeing them out on the fields in any great numbers(3), we did a quick drive thru out in the eastland area, and you could counted the deer we saw on one hand and no elk was spotted. Drove up the mountain a little ways and the snow got deep in a hurry.
Talked to few guys that had been out shed hunting on Black Mesa and they haven't seen alot of deer either. Maybe the are all in Dry Valley or down in 3 steps But places that had alot of deer in them during the wintertime just aren't showing up.

Thanks for the Video it was a Great one.
I hope you are right about the amount of deer and elk that DID make it thru the winter. But I will wait and see what shows up on the mountain this spring.

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

Blanding_Boy · Apr 15, 2010

G--

There are always bodies along the highway of deer--one every day i would guess. The question was about elk fairing the winter, hence my answer.

Todd Black
BTO