Colorado Parks and Wildlife expects a relatively typical deer and elk archery season in Southwest Colorado, despite persistent drought and several large wildfires this summer.
CPW wildlife biologist Jamin Grigg said the region’s deer and elk herds are generally in good condition. Recent monsoon storms are also bringing needed moisture to high-country forage and lower-elevation winter ranges after two years of limited snowpack and dry soils.
“The rains are badly needed and certainly helping,” Grigg said.
The drought may still influence where hunters find animals. Grigg said deer and elk, particularly elk, are likely to remain at higher elevations where moisture and forage conditions are better.
He encouraged hunters to scout their game-management units ahead of the season, spend time away from roads and use binoculars to determine where animals are currently gathering.
Grigg said elk could remain high through much of the early hunting season and may begin migrating toward lower winter ranges later than usual.
Recent wildfires are not expected to cause widespread or lasting displacement of most wildlife, according to Grigg. He said fire is a natural part of the region’s ecosystems, and animals are generally able to move away from an immediate threat.
Wildlife can also return quickly as vegetation begins growing in burned areas. Monsoon rainfall may accelerate that process along fire edges and in areas that burned at lower intensity.
However, Grigg said increasingly frequent and intense fires associated with drought and long-term drying can create more lasting habitat effects. The severity of the burn will help determine how quickly wildlife returns to individual areas.
Some burned areas could provide productive habitat for deer and elk as grasses, shrubs and oak brush regenerate. But hunters should not assume those areas are open or safe.
Grigg said hunters need to remain aware of closures issued by the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management and other land-management agencies. Fire-damaged trees can also remain dangerous after flames have passed.
Burned trees may have weakened root systems and can fall more easily, especially during high winds.
CPW spokesperson John Livingston said hunters can use the agency’s updated Hunting Atlas to view game-management units, terrain, active fires and some associated closures.
Livingston also recommended the Colorado Trail Explorer, or COTREX, application. The state-operated trail platform includes information supplied by agencies including the San Juan National Forest and local governments.
Hunters should also consider the difficulty of the terrain before choosing where to travel, Livingston said. A hike that seems manageable on the way into the backcountry can become significantly harder if a hunter must pack out an animal.
CPW recommends checking current information immediately before entering the field. Livingston said the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Durango Facebook page and the San Juan National Forest’s social media channels often carry localized updates about closures and access in across the state.
The agency is not anticipating major local licensing or season changes this fall.
