elks96
Long Time Member
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I covered a ton of ground on Saturday and Sunday coyote hunting in the NW Region from Meeker to Rangely. It was absolutely amazing what a difference a couple weeks made. The last time I was out it was unreal and by far some of the worst conditions I had seen. Things have gotten much better.
For example one area we were rabbit hunting had snow high enough for us to walk on the snow crust above the top wire of the fence. This same week had the snow only about 6" deep. It was a hard solid 6" but feet of snow had to melt. I also witnessed on Saturday morning a pretty good mass migration of deer. The deer were traveling from areas where they had been trapped on steep south slopes into areas where they would "traditionally" winter. Those making it into these areas were able to completely pig out since all the feed had been covered. I was able to watch the deer feed nonstop for a 1/2 straight with out expending any energy.
I saw a a lot of deer in areas where there were not even tracks before. It also felt like a lot of last years fawns were still around and looking good. In many cases there were twins running with the mothers still. In all the deer I saw none looked horrible, but they were all light in the weight. They seem to be getting along just fine now.
I am still concerned that some may have gotten stuck and not able to escape the deep snows. I am not sure what the total mortality will end up being but I really feel like we dodge a major bullet.
It did seem like there was significant road kill lately as the animals are moving and crossing more. Also wonder how the closure of I70 effected things when traffic in the NW went crazy as the interstate was closed.
As for the Colorado River Basin. Things are much the same however our snow depth was not nearly as extreme and the crust on the snow not nearly as bad. The deer around Rifle are doing pretty well and are starting to move away from the lowest country and back into better feeding area. This holds true from New Castle area to Debeque areas. My yard here in Rifle went from 2 feet of heavy wet snow to 90% bare ground.
The final indication will be the number of permits they draw. I bet we will see some reduction in total tag numbers, but nothing like the issues we were facing a month ago.
Now we just need a few wet storms to come through and help prevent a summer drought. LOL!
For example one area we were rabbit hunting had snow high enough for us to walk on the snow crust above the top wire of the fence. This same week had the snow only about 6" deep. It was a hard solid 6" but feet of snow had to melt. I also witnessed on Saturday morning a pretty good mass migration of deer. The deer were traveling from areas where they had been trapped on steep south slopes into areas where they would "traditionally" winter. Those making it into these areas were able to completely pig out since all the feed had been covered. I was able to watch the deer feed nonstop for a 1/2 straight with out expending any energy.
I saw a a lot of deer in areas where there were not even tracks before. It also felt like a lot of last years fawns were still around and looking good. In many cases there were twins running with the mothers still. In all the deer I saw none looked horrible, but they were all light in the weight. They seem to be getting along just fine now.
I am still concerned that some may have gotten stuck and not able to escape the deep snows. I am not sure what the total mortality will end up being but I really feel like we dodge a major bullet.
It did seem like there was significant road kill lately as the animals are moving and crossing more. Also wonder how the closure of I70 effected things when traffic in the NW went crazy as the interstate was closed.
As for the Colorado River Basin. Things are much the same however our snow depth was not nearly as extreme and the crust on the snow not nearly as bad. The deer around Rifle are doing pretty well and are starting to move away from the lowest country and back into better feeding area. This holds true from New Castle area to Debeque areas. My yard here in Rifle went from 2 feet of heavy wet snow to 90% bare ground.
The final indication will be the number of permits they draw. I bet we will see some reduction in total tag numbers, but nothing like the issues we were facing a month ago.
Now we just need a few wet storms to come through and help prevent a summer drought. LOL!
