Elk Heaven!

All signs point to a very low mortality rate so far (Feb 1st) this winter.  The elk are looking very healthy despite starving their way through winter.  All grasses and plants are brown and dormant.  There is no nutritional value in browse this time of year.  Elk are eating aspen bark and willows (that’s wood to you and me) as well as brown plants and grasses.  Just another month and a half until the newest green grasses start to sprout. In fact some elk will migrate lower just to get at those new green grasses around 5-6000 feet in elevation.  Think of it as a second migration from their positions last fall.  As the ground thaws in March new plants will begin to push up beyond the soil.  And you can bet there will be elk there to nibble on them.  If you are eager to see some elk I would suggest taking a drive along major creek and river valleys during the new moon (dark phase) around February 13th.  Elk will be more active during the day.  Look for hay fields and south facing slopes where the snow isn’t very deep.  Elk will be on the valley floor this time of year.  Some bulls winter up higher.  It’s not uncommon to find bulls holding up on north facing slopes in a couple feet of snow just off the valley floor.   They will eat in the valley and bed on north slopes.  Elk are tough!   Don’t forget when looking for elk in the winter to look for them on golf courses and hay fields.  Some of the best (greenest) grasses can be found there. This includes some resort towns like Vail, Beaver Creek, the valley floor in Telluride, and just about anywhere along the Colorado River.

It’s 2010 now and before you know it September will be here.   What are your plans for your visit to elk country this year? Will you attempt your first solo backcountry hunt?  How about a guided hunt this year?

Winter snow has been light in Colorado’s central mountains.  Snowpack is a little low so far. Around 84% of normal in the central and northern mountains and a whopping 111% in the San Juans!  As of early December elk haven’t had to migrate as low due to lack of snow.  In March the southern slopes will begin to thaw and elk will graze on new grasses as spring officially arrives.

Keep an eye on this blog as winter 2009/2010 winds down.