Updates from the Uncompahgre: Spring 2025
Hello there elk hunters! Spring is in full swing with summer coming on fast. Snowpack is going quickly and western Colorado has been mostly pretty warm, dry and windy. Perhaps due to milder winters, elk numbers in our area (units 61 and 62) remain very good. A few numbers to share from our local CPW biologist show our area's elk herd numbers are trending up and in excellent shape. Herd objective is between 11,000-15,000 and it’s currently around 13,000 and increasing. Calf ratios the last two years have been between 40-60 calves per 100 cows which is excellent and is part of why the herd is growing. Cow survivorship is around 98% which is incredible. Bull to cow ratios are set for 30-35 bulls per 100 cows and are currently right around 30. The biologist indicated there’s greater fluctuation in getting accurate bull counts because bulls can be harder to locate on the aerial surveys due to their wintertime behavior (bulls are often more isolated, winter higher up, more difficult to spot, etc.) so that number could actually be higher.
So as you can tell, the Uncompahgre Plateau remains a phenomenal area for elk and with calf recruitment and survival trending up coupled with continued high cow survivorship, the future looks good.
With respect to this year's licenses and draw results, CPW should be sending that information out to hunters around May 28, 29 and 30…somewhere in that date range. Please make sure you check your CPW account to confirm whether you drew or not. Once you’ve seen whether you’ve successfully drawn or not, please call or email me at your earliest convenience:
timbertotable@hotmail.com or 208-691-3014
It’s important we know who’s drawn and who didn’t so our hunt calendar and bookings are accurate. We’re optimistic everyone will have good news to report!!
Last things to pass along are my usual reminders:
1) Right now is the time to start getting your legs, lungs and heart in good shape. Get your boots broken in. Eat better and drink lots of water. Start training now so come fall you’re ready to go.
2) Find some time to send an email or make a phone call to your appropriate representatives in the federal government. Our public lands and wildlife agencies are being attacked and gutted in unprecedented ways. The threat of selling off our public lands is no joke. Our government is actively trying to do so…Utah and Nevada were slated to have over 500,000 publicly owned acres sold as part of this last budget bill but luckily they pulled that legislation out at the last minute. Additionally, the anti-hunting groups are continuously trying to undermine our state wildlife agencies’ ability to scientifically manage our wildlife with fewer wildlife agents being employed due to budget cuts. Our wildlife and those responsible for managing it are taking it from all sides. Speaking out with your voice in public support still carries weight at the federal level when it comes to our wildlife resources, the public lands and waters they absolutely rely on to survive and our wildlife agency employees. It literally takes a couple minutes to place a phone call to your representative. The Capitol switchboard number is: 202-224-3121.
Thank you as always for reading this update.
We look forward to hearing from those of you who put in for draw hunts. Hope you’re making time to get outdoors and enjoy the rest of your spring!
