Conditions Report: Snowpack, Summer Range, and Fall Outlook
The winter of 2022/23 brought Colorado’s biggest snowpack in recent years. And while the northwest corner of the state experienced some wildlife winterkill, the overall result of all that moisture has been a positive one. Colorado is seeing good habitat conditions heading toward the 2023 hunting season.
Here’s an update on range conditions and what hunters might be able to expect later this year…
Dark Timber Lodge During the 2023 Winter
Snowpack and Runoff
In some areas of the state, the snowpack (snow-water equivalent) was well above 150% of median this past winter. But even better news was that we had a gradual runoff, thanks to cool, rainy weather this spring.
It’s one thing to have a healthy snowpack. But it’s not as helpful when spring weather quickly heats up into the 80s and it all melts off quickly. Fortunately this year, we had the best of both worlds – a lot of moisture over the winter, followed by a cool spring with plenty of rain. That slow melt has led to a very green summer.
Summer Range Conditions
Our state’s wildlife is enjoying healthy range conditions. Things are looking green, the wildflowers are blooming, and the grass is as tall as we’ve seen it in years. At the time we are writing this update in mid July, there’s still there is still snow at higher elevations, especially in areas with shaded timber.
If you’ve spent much time in Colorado, you know that it doesn’t take long at all for things to turn dry and dusty. With any luck, we will have a good monsoon season this summer and that we will continue to see some moisture fall. But at least at this point in the summer, it’s nice to see the ponds and lakes full, and the vegetation looking green and healthy.
Fall Hunting Outlook
It would be ridiculous to try and predict what any hunting season is going to bring, especially when we’re talking about highly unpredictable mountain weather and conditions. But here’s what we know as the big game hunting seasons approach…
With all the green and healthy conditions we’ve seen so far this summer, hopefully that means our elk and mule deer herds will be in good shape heading into the fall. With any luck, that should help with fawn/calf survival, as well as antler growth on our mature bull elk and mule deer bucks should be excellent.
As we mentioned above, the 2022/23 winter snowpack did cause some winterkill issues in the Northwest part of the state. In response to that, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) reduced license numbers in those areas. Additionally, the CPW Commission recently voted to reduce the length of the over-the-counter 2nd rifle elk season from 9 days to just 5 days in those northwest game management units (GMUs). If you are planning on hunting in Colorado’s northwest corner (GMUs 3, 4, 5, 11, 12, 13, 14, 23, 24, 131, 211, 214, 231, 301, or 441) please respect those adjusted season dates. To learn more, please read the Colorado Big Game Brochure.
Here along the Uncompahgre Plateau and throughout west-central Colorado where the climate tends to be a bit more desert-like, we are certainly thankful for all the additional moisture. Our big game habitat here looks excellent and we are looking forward to a fun hunting season ahead!
Contact Us with Questions
Have questions about our guided big game hunts? Please feel free to give us a call at 208-691-3014. Or click here to send us a message. We’d love to help you plan a memorable Colorado elk hunt!