[D Winkler]

Wow, Don't know why but these number surprise me.


Colorado Releases 2007 Harvest Statistics

March 19, 2008.

From the Colorado Division of Wildlife:

The Colorado Division of Wildlife (DOW) has compiled and released the 2007 big game harvest statistics.
Elk

During the 2007 big game seasons 227,262 hunters killed 49,012 for a 22 percent success rate. There was a significant decrease in the number of elk harvested in 2007. Hunters killed nearly 8,000 fewer elk than in 2006 and for the first time since 2001, elk harvest dropped below 50,000.

The reduced harvest is likely due to a combination of factors, said Bruce Watkins, terrestrial analyst for the DOW. Harvest during the first and second rifle seasons was consistent with previous years. However, conditions during third and fourth rifle seasons were very mild and harvest success dropped considerably especially for cow elk. These seasons rely much more upon weather to make elk accessible and they were unusually warm and dry in 2007.

Another factor that may have decreased the harvest is the state's elk population numbers. After years of providing additional hunter opportunity to get the statewide elk population at objective, there may be fewer elk in certain areas of the state which boosted harvest rates in years past. The DOW dropped the number of 2007 limited elk licenses by 5,000. This management change was based upon elk numbers approaching objective in some of these traditionally high harvest areas.

There were also 10,000 fewer elk hunters in the field during the 2007 seasons. Some of the decrease was due to fewer limited licenses being available, but weather, economic conditions and other variables also likely affected license sales.
Deer

Deer hunters in Colorado harvested the highest number of deer since 1997 with 98,283 hunters killing 45,026 deer for a 46 percent success rate in 2007. Deer license numbers were the highest since 1999.

Colorado's renowned reputation for deer hunting continued to be supported by the harvest statistics in 2007. Deer hunter success rates have remained high at 45 to 46 percent since 2004. During the last 4 years, annual deer harvest has exceeded harvest in 1998 when unlimited deer licenses were still available in most units.
Pronghorn

Pronghorn harvest and success remained high in 2007 indicating that unusually harsh winter conditions on the Eastern Plains the previous winter did not have a major impact on pronghorn populations. In 2007, 12,647 pronghorn hunters harvested 8,492 pronghorn for a 67 percent success rate. The 2007 pronghorn harvest was the highest since 1997.

The DOW is currently compiling herd composition data and estimating post-hunt population numbers. These estimates will be presented along with proposed licenses numbers for the 2008 big game seasons to the Colorado Wildlife Commission in May.

The deadline for 2008 big game license applications is April 1.

For additional information and big game harvest statistics please visit: Statistics - Colorado Division of Wildlife.

[birdman]

These harvest statistics are one of the best ways to pre-scout an area in Colorado for insight to hunter success, estimate herd size, what animals were doing (where did they move in response to winter). All the harvest statistics are spelled out in every detail in their full annual report. Anyone booking a guided hunt out here should take a look at results for the unit they'll be guided on..

[shortbus]

I hope that "economic" factor plays into this year's New Mexico draw because I'm putting in no matter what.

I've been looking at this years Elk Harvest numbers for New Mexico birdman, and it's got my head spinning.

I'm trying to figure out which Unit I'm most likely to have success in, which unit I'm most likely to get drawn in, and which unit I'm most likely to get drawn in and have success together.

I want to hunt the same unit we hunted last year because I'm familiar with it, but at the same time I'm not sure it's the best unit for taking an Elk that would score well. That's not a huge factor as this will be my first Elk anyway, given the fact that we got skunked last year.

I've got all this New Mexico Elk Harvest data in spreadsheet form and have taken out most of the data I don't need. I've narrowed it down to 5 Units. We want to go on the first week again, regardless of unit because if the weather is like it was last year, they could still be in the rut during the first week of hunting. They were still bugling last season during the first week, but my incompetence...let's use inexperience instead...kept me from bagging a bull.

Right now, I'm looking more at success rate of being drawn rather than success rate of harvesting an Elk. I'll worry about killing an Elk after we get step one out of the way.

[oucorry]

Those numbers are suprising to me too. That is alot of elk. I can't believe I've been there 3 times and still haven't killed one.

Good luck coop on your draw.

[birdman]

Bus,
I'm not familiar with what numbers New Mexico provides in their harvest survey, but if you give me some idea, I can help translate for you. Colorado provides hunting data such as number applicants for all seasons, number tags given out. These two numbers tell you odds of being drawn out. In general, the fewer the tags, the better likliehood of harvesting a trophy bull. They also provide the number of animals harvested (bull vs. cow) in every season. This provides you hunter success rate and relatively indicates overall heard size. The most important part is to see how many elk were killed in a specific unit throughout the season. If success rate remains high throughout all seasons, you can almost bet that area is their wintering ground or at least a migration corridor.