Elk Forecast
Hot off the presses! Take a look at forecasts from top states and provinces for total elk populations.
Canadian Provinces
Alberta Elk Population: 20,000
Bull/Cow Ratios:N/A Nonresidents:$298 and must be accompanied by an Alberta resident Hunter Host or licensed guide. Southwestern Alberta has a reputation for big bulls where elk are managed to ensure that plenty of bulls live long enough to reach their full potential. A little farther north, some impressive bulls are killed each year in the Peace River area. Warmer and drier than normal conditions over most of the province brought elk through the winter in great shape. Expect good hunting prospects this season for trophy bulls and cows. Contact: srd.gov.ab.ca/fishwildlife or (780) 944-0313.
Elk Population: 50,000
Bull/Cow Ratios: 20/100 Nonresidents: $189 hunting license, plus $277 elk tag. Must hire a licensed guide, or in certain cases may be accompanied by a resident hunter. Coastal British Columbia saw significant snow pack but nothing terribly out of the ordinary for wintering elk. Over the central and southern portions of the province, snowfall was normal to slightly below normal. Elk herds are burgeoning in productive habitat. Elk are especially abundant in the Kootenay region, an attractive area for trophy hunters where bull harvest is limited to animals carrying at least six tines on at least one antler. Many trophy areas in British Columbia offer rifle hunting during the rut, an option that has become increasingly rare in North America, with a few notable exceptions. Contact: env.gov.bc.ca/fw or (250) 387-9771. Saskatchewan Elk Population: 15,000
Bull/Cow Ratio: 20/100
Nonresidents: No nonresident tags available. Saskatchewan’s elk fared well last winter. Snow pack across the province was variable but didn’t adversely affect elk populations. During the winter of 2008, two elk in the Nipawin area were found dead. Both tested positive for chronic wasting disease (CWD), the first confirmed cases of the disease in free-ranging elk in the province. However, wildlife officials have been monitoring CWD for nearly 10 years after a mule deer in the Manitou Hills tested positive. Although the disease has the potential to adversely affect elk numbers, massive die-offs aren’t likely. CWD has plagued elk in several states, including parts of Colorado, without the disastrous effects some biologists predicted when it was discovered. Elk populations remain healthy and growing across the province, with a fine hunting season predicted for this fall. Contact: environment.gov.sk.ca or (306) 787-2897. AdvertisementRelated PhotosSUBMIT YOUR PHOTOSADVERTISEMENTAdvertisement |
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Comments (11)
Wolves, need i say more?
comment on Don Deutsch's report: Did we meet at MCO's base camp? We (my son and I) also hunted 16A. Basically same report as Don's with the exception of our last day. It snowed the night before we packed out. We rode about twenty miles on the Highline trail out to the trail head. No elk tracks. Heard nothing. But did see the tracks of 18 different wolves. Where are you going this year, Don?
Colorado has the Elk if you do your homework. Lots of public land and opportunites here. Bowhunting, Muzzleloader, and Rifle seasons so take your pick on your method. Mule Deer and Antelope are here Colorado as well. Mountain Lion and Black Bear are also on the list of huntable species in the Centenial State.
Just hunted 6 days in the Selway area of Idaho, 16A. Saw nothing, heard nothing, and wasted my time. Saw one small bull shot but even those hunters reported only one bull in all the days. The bulls must be on the Salmon River.
What about South Dakota and Nebraska? I don't think these states have a nonresident season but they still have elk and an elk season!
I am new to all this, and I would like to know if there is different tags for rifle hnters and bow hunters or if the charge the same? I also want to know how much an entire hunting trip would cost for someone who is from out of state? Hope no one finds this stupid and wold offer some advice for a "green" hunter.
In looking at some of the numbers for here in Washington I think they might be a bit skewed. We normally see a much higher cow to bull ratio than published more like 2 or 3 bulls per 100 cows in some areas others are closer to what is published but not anywhere near the upper end on the East side of the state but then again we have help keeping the bulls under control from off reservation hunting that is anything goes.
SteveWalker and timothystolpa appear to be moonlighting as under-informed ethics professors.
What NM209 is getting is saying is that (1)he is frustrated with this state DNR so will be taking his money elsewhere, and (2)understands WHY some would resort to poaching even though he WOULD NOT.
That's not condoning poaching, that's just walking in a man's shoes for a mile and then handing the shoes back and saying "I get it, but it ain't right".
Maybe Nm209 should turn in those poachers he knows. I consider that attitude just as bad as the poachers. I would turn anyone in regardless of who they were and they all know that.
Sounds like NM209 condons poachers. Thats why it's so hard to get anything here in NM. Poachers take too many animals for heads and leave meat to rot.
The forecast may be good, but in-state hunters have few opportunities. It's difficult to draw. There are no preference points. In-state hunters are frustrated. My son and I are going to CO.
Of course NM is a big state with few game wardens. I know other people who regularly poach Elk and deer. I personally wouldn't resort to this, but I certainly understand why people do.
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Sounds like NM209 condons poachers. Thats why it's so hard to get anything here in NM. Poachers take too many animals for heads and leave meat to rot.
Maybe Nm209 should turn in those poachers he knows. I consider that attitude just as bad as the poachers. I would turn anyone in regardless of who they were and they all know that.
SteveWalker and timothystolpa appear to be moonlighting as under-informed ethics professors.
What NM209 is getting is saying is that (1)he is frustrated with this state DNR so will be taking his money elsewhere, and (2)understands WHY some would resort to poaching even though he WOULD NOT.
That's not condoning poaching, that's just walking in a man's shoes for a mile and then handing the shoes back and saying "I get it, but it ain't right".
In looking at some of the numbers for here in Washington I think they might be a bit skewed. We normally see a much higher cow to bull ratio than published more like 2 or 3 bulls per 100 cows in some areas others are closer to what is published but not anywhere near the upper end on the East side of the state but then again we have help keeping the bulls under control from off reservation hunting that is anything goes.
Just hunted 6 days in the Selway area of Idaho, 16A. Saw nothing, heard nothing, and wasted my time. Saw one small bull shot but even those hunters reported only one bull in all the days. The bulls must be on the Salmon River.
Wolves, need i say more?
I am new to all this, and I would like to know if there is different tags for rifle hnters and bow hunters or if the charge the same? I also want to know how much an entire hunting trip would cost for someone who is from out of state? Hope no one finds this stupid and wold offer some advice for a "green" hunter.
What about South Dakota and Nebraska? I don't think these states have a nonresident season but they still have elk and an elk season!
Colorado has the Elk if you do your homework. Lots of public land and opportunites here. Bowhunting, Muzzleloader, and Rifle seasons so take your pick on your method. Mule Deer and Antelope are here Colorado as well. Mountain Lion and Black Bear are also on the list of huntable species in the Centenial State.
comment on Don Deutsch's report: Did we meet at MCO's base camp? We (my son and I) also hunted 16A. Basically same report as Don's with the exception of our last day. It snowed the night before we packed out. We rode about twenty miles on the Highline trail out to the trail head. No elk tracks. Heard nothing. But did see the tracks of 18 different wolves. Where are you going this year, Don?
The forecast may be good, but in-state hunters have few opportunities. It's difficult to draw. There are no preference points. In-state hunters are frustrated. My son and I are going to CO.
Of course NM is a big state with few game wardens. I know other people who regularly poach Elk and deer. I personally wouldn't resort to this, but I certainly understand why people do.
Post a Comment (200 characters or less)