Colorado Elk Herd Much Bigger Than First Estimated
August 29, 2007
The Bears Ears elk herd in northwestern Colorado is quite a bit bigger than officials had originally estimated, according to a recent report of the findings of a fly-over study done this spring on the elk there. Ranchers have been complaining to Colorado officials that there were too many elk and they were destroying the range land.
Before the survey, officials estimated the Bears Ears herd to number between 11,000 and 15,000 critters. After the survey those numbers have jumped up to between 23,000 and 45,000. Not only is that at least double the size of the first estimate but presents a huge disparity in the range of numbers. Number of elk are estimated at a low of 23,000 animals to a high of nearly double that?
I realize that even fly-over surveys are not exact science but to me that just seems like a very large separation of numbers to be derived from an aerial survey.
Sounds like some adjustments should be coming in the issuing of elk hunting permits.
Tom Remington
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Fly over counting of Elk in spring in north western Colorado is not a perfect science as Elk are constantly moving back to the summer range as the weather improves
can result in counting the same Elk more than once.
YES
I have been hunting the “Bears Ears” herd for about 10 years. It sure seems that earlier years produced many more opportunities. We hunt right off the west side of bears ears mtn. during the first season. In the earlier years, 2000-2005, we would even be able to harvest elk on the third and fouth day of season. The last few years it seems that if you havnt filled your tag by noon on the second day you are not going to. I understand that this is probably not a fair judge of herd size, but it sure seems as though the herd is signifcantly smaller, judging only by field observation during heavy pressure on opening weekend of the first season. I struggle to find up to date information regarding this topic. Is there somewhere you can direct me for more up to date info? I have also noticed a higher percentage of small bulls. Two years ago I never saw a cow, only small spikes and a few 4 pt bulls. Normally I could count on seeing anywhere between 30 and 50 cows over a three day period. Last season we were three of five (all cows of avg. size) and this is pretty typical of our camp, but they were all killed by 10 am on Saturday morning. I get it that they high tail it out of there when the shooting starts, but like I said earlier years produced more opportunities on later days. To me, this is an idicator that the herd is much smaller. I dont mind “hunting” for my elk, but I would hate it if the herd size was misjudged and more tags were issued and then the herd becomes unerobjective. I am just a concerned out of state hunter who loves the west and loves to hunt elk, successful or not.
Scott,
A lot of the Bears Ears herd of northern Colorado move into southern Wyoming above Colorado units 4-5-14 when the shooting starts in early october and move out on to the high desert here in Wyoming unit 21. I know this as I live here and have seen it happen many times. Also there is a tremendous amount of private land some of which is in Ranching for wildlife and they start early.
I belive the herd to be in good shape as far as numbers but the trophy quality is not that good.