The Denver Post Reports: Thanks in part to the recent warm spell that has melted snow off some south-facing slopes, most of the 16,000 to 17,000 elk wintering north of U.S. 40 between Steamboat Springs and Craig are in good condition and should come through the winter well, including last year’s calves.
“Conditions are good for the elk despite the amount of snow in Steamboat and up in the mountains,” Colorado Parks and Wildlife area wildlife manager Jim Haskins said Thursday. “When you get to this part of the winter and have had some decent conditions like we’ve had, we feel the elk will get through the winter in good shape, and that’s what we’re finding.”
Parks and Wildlife terrestrial biologist Jeff Yost said the number of elk north of U.S. 40 here is down to about half of what it was seven or eight years ago. But that is by design, and the current numbers in the area between Steamboat and Craig are right on Parks and Wildlife’s population target. Through managing the issuance of hunting licenses in prior years, CPW cut the herd back to reduce crowding.