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HUNTING
There are still plenty of Limited Licensing Leftover licenses to be had for the upcoming deer, elk, bear and pronghorn seasons, but you need to get them quick as they are dwindling rapidly.
Out of the nearly 7,600 deer licenses up for grabs still, approximately 2,300 of these are for private land only (PLO). A good chunk of those deer licenses have been targeted for the Front Range. Elk licenses are doing better with nearly 34,000 left. Of those, over 19,000 are available to the general public with nearly 15,000 earmarked to PLO restrictions. Pronghorn is bleak with only 1,100 licenses left and 79 percent with a PLO restriction.
Didn’t draw your bear tag? Want a bear? Good luck with that.
There are only about 60 tags left, which have the PLO restriction on them. Avid bear hunters know September is the month to hunt, and once the rifle season starts in October they fall off the face of the planet in most areas of the state’s public lands. Out of all these licenses combined (deer, elk, bear and pronghorn), approximately 18,000 of these licenses require private land hunts. Archery elk and deer season begins Aug. 30. Blue grouse season doesn’t start until the Monday after the opener on Sept. 1.
Also, obtain a ATV or OHV permit before heading out along with checking with the local BLM and National Forest for rules and regulations before hunting in a specific location.
Depending on the area, rules may be different for off-road use. A good detailed map is also a big asset to keep check and to avoid inadvertent crossing of property boundaries.
On a side note, outlook on blue grouse looks good this year as reports from the field are seeing large numbers of birds combined with an apparent good hatch. Dove hunting looks great as well with no decline of doves in the valley. Chucker are also fairing well once again with many reports of good coveys being seen.
Grouse, dove and chucker season open Sept. 1. Band-tailed pigeon also opens but will need a permit. Remember to call in to the Harvest Information Program (HIP) to get this permit before hunting. You also need to have a HIP number before hunting small game or waterfowl. Details are on licenses.
FISHING
Lake Powell: Hite is the best place on the lake right now with the San Juan taking a back seat. Top water striper action is occurring midafternoon to evenings, but are going away as fast as they appear. Cat fishing has been flat out fantastic with no quit in sight. Big bluegills are to be had anywhere there is brush now and are ripe for the taking. Largemouth and smallmouth fishing remains good. Walleye is slowing down until the water cools.
Taylor Reservoir: Reports of great fishing for small lake trout and a few large pike. Both being caught on large spoons and large rapalas.
Highline: Recreational use activity limits this lake to a get on-and-get off quick fishing destination. Best fishing is weekends before 10 a.m. Small crappie, a few bass and some hit-and-miss cat fishing at night is being reported.
Rifle Gap: Pike fishing is slow to almost a stand still. Very few walleye and bass are being caught. Part of this is being speculated in part due to a huge population of perch fry that have hit the lake. Perch fishing is excellent along with stocker trout. Most of the year class perch being caught however remain in the 8-inch range with the larger ones being the exception than the norm. The netting and killing of pike each spring is not doing this lake any favors in keeping the perch population in check. Let’s just hope this doesn’t turn into a Harvey Gap lake of small, undersized, overpopulated perch and this is only a cycle we are in right now.
Colorado River: Running clear and lower for optimal fishing. Cat fishing and bass have been good in the Grand Junction area to the state line. The upper part by Glenwood Springs is fishing fantastic for browns and rainbows. Ongoing shocking operations in the Rifle and Parachute area removing and killing game fish. The multimillion-dollar pylons and fish ladder by Debeque are out of the water and high and dry.
Grand Mesa: Fishing is excellent on all popular lakes and streams. Many trout are to be had due to recent cool, pre-fall weather.
There are still plenty of Limited Licensing Leftover licenses to be had for the upcoming deer, elk, bear and pronghorn seasons, but you need to get them quick as they are dwindling rapidly.
Out of the nearly 7,600 deer licenses up for grabs still, approximately 2,300 of these are for private land only (PLO). A good chunk of those deer licenses have been targeted for the Front Range. Elk licenses are doing better with nearly 34,000 left. Of those, over 19,000 are available to the general public with nearly 15,000 earmarked to PLO restrictions. Pronghorn is bleak with only 1,100 licenses left and 79 percent with a PLO restriction.
Didn’t draw your bear tag? Want a bear? Good luck with that.
There are only about 60 tags left, which have the PLO restriction on them. Avid bear hunters know September is the month to hunt, and once the rifle season starts in October they fall off the face of the planet in most areas of the state’s public lands. Out of all these licenses combined (deer, elk, bear and pronghorn), approximately 18,000 of these licenses require private land hunts. Archery elk and deer season begins Aug. 30. Blue grouse season doesn’t start until the Monday after the opener on Sept. 1.
Also, obtain a ATV or OHV permit before heading out along with checking with the local BLM and National Forest for rules and regulations before hunting in a specific location.
Depending on the area, rules may be different for off-road use. A good detailed map is also a big asset to keep check and to avoid inadvertent crossing of property boundaries.
On a side note, outlook on blue grouse looks good this year as reports from the field are seeing large numbers of birds combined with an apparent good hatch. Dove hunting looks great as well with no decline of doves in the valley. Chucker are also fairing well once again with many reports of good coveys being seen.
Grouse, dove and chucker season open Sept. 1. Band-tailed pigeon also opens but will need a permit. Remember to call in to the Harvest Information Program (HIP) to get this permit before hunting. You also need to have a HIP number before hunting small game or waterfowl. Details are on licenses.
FISHING
Lake Powell: Hite is the best place on the lake right now with the San Juan taking a back seat. Top water striper action is occurring midafternoon to evenings, but are going away as fast as they appear. Cat fishing has been flat out fantastic with no quit in sight. Big bluegills are to be had anywhere there is brush now and are ripe for the taking. Largemouth and smallmouth fishing remains good. Walleye is slowing down until the water cools.
Taylor Reservoir: Reports of great fishing for small lake trout and a few large pike. Both being caught on large spoons and large rapalas.
Highline: Recreational use activity limits this lake to a get on-and-get off quick fishing destination. Best fishing is weekends before 10 a.m. Small crappie, a few bass and some hit-and-miss cat fishing at night is being reported.
Rifle Gap: Pike fishing is slow to almost a stand still. Very few walleye and bass are being caught. Part of this is being speculated in part due to a huge population of perch fry that have hit the lake. Perch fishing is excellent along with stocker trout. Most of the year class perch being caught however remain in the 8-inch range with the larger ones being the exception than the norm. The netting and killing of pike each spring is not doing this lake any favors in keeping the perch population in check. Let’s just hope this doesn’t turn into a Harvey Gap lake of small, undersized, overpopulated perch and this is only a cycle we are in right now.
Colorado River: Running clear and lower for optimal fishing. Cat fishing and bass have been good in the Grand Junction area to the state line. The upper part by Glenwood Springs is fishing fantastic for browns and rainbows. Ongoing shocking operations in the Rifle and Parachute area removing and killing game fish. The multimillion-dollar pylons and fish ladder by Debeque are out of the water and high and dry.
Grand Mesa: Fishing is excellent on all popular lakes and streams. Many trout are to be had due to recent cool, pre-fall weather.
