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Hunting
One of the biggest seasons of the year — the first combined deer and elk rifle season — begins Saturday, Oct. 11, along with the economic boost hunters bring to Colorado.
Revenues from hunting and fishing nets about $1.6 billion for the state’s economy. Approximately 600,000 hunters support over 20,000 jobs putting over $706 million worth of paychecks into the pockets of Colorado residents. In fact, the annual spending by Colorado sportsmen is two-and-a-half times more than the combined revenues of the Colorado Rockies, Denver Broncos and Denver Nuggets, which totals a mere $500 million.
The economic stimulus of hunting and fishing equates to over $3.5 million a day to the state’s economy. Many family-owned businesses across the Western Slope rely on this period to get them through the rest of the year. And, to all indications, 2008 will be a banner year with the exception of a small few pockets that got hit hard by last winter.
The first elk-only season has shown some exceptional results with wet weather and bulls still at the end of their rut. A lot of the game-processing facilities have been working feverishly, which is a win/win situation for all. The first combined deer/elk season has a bright outlook with optimum hunting conditions. Early high-mountain snows will be driving deer down to lower, more accessible elevations as the elk will be more scattered from the first season hunt. Without pressure, elk will stay high and safe in certain pockets unless the snow is considerable.
Waterfowl: The first split waterfowl season concluded last weekend and will reopen Oct. 25-Jan. 25 for ducks and geese.
The first weekend is usually one of the best times for ducks as the early migrators have come into the valley and staged, being unbothered for two weeks.
Ducks: Daily bag limit for ducks and mergansers: seven in aggregate; of these, no more than two can be female mallards; one pintail, two redheads and two scaup (i.e., ring necks, bluebills); no scaup can be taken after Jan. 6. Season is closed on canvasbacks. Possession limit is two. Daily bag limits for coots: daily and possession limit is 25. Daily bag limit for geese: three dark geese; 10 light geese. Possession limit: six dark geese; 20 light geese.
*****
Fishing
Fishing is about as good as it gets right now with open water access starting to dwindle. Both warm-water and cold-water fish in nearby lakes and streams are very active and are on a feeding frenzy as the water temperatures cool.
Colorado River: Fishing is excellent for browns and rainbows from Silt to past Glenwood right now. Fish are being taken by all methods and tactics. Spin fisherman are capitalizing on the larger browns and rainbows using midsized minnow imitation crank baits. Gold/bronze and brass colors seem to be out producing most. Snap jigging spoons in these colors using the current and pockets to your advantage is proving to have exceptional results also.
Rifle Gap: Pike fishing is great for short periods of times. Currently, this has become the ultimate destination warm water fishery in the region. Pike to 18 pounds are not uncommon now. They are feeding heavily on the abundance of perch and all signs are showing a swing in the size of perch and crappie. Pike are essential as a predator to keep this fishery in check to avoid stunting like has occurred at Crawford. All species from trout, walleye, pike, perch and bass are healthy and thriving.
Harvey Gap: Fishing is good for perch, bluegill, crappie, pike and bass. Trout action has been good as well.
Crawford: Pike action is fair. All other species are good. Perch and crappie are still on the small side.
Juniata: Trout action is picking up with some very fat healthy rainbows. Walleye and small moth bass action is turning on as well. Access is difficult along the shores with the mud and dropping water levels.
Lake Powell: Stripers are lazy as they feed on the abundance of shad. The health of the fishery has turned out to be amazing with all the prey. The stripers as well as all the other game fish are as fat and healthy as they have been for years. The growth rates are exceptional with a good balance of predator vs. prey. Bass action is heating up and walleye fishing is consistently getting better as the water cools.
One of the biggest seasons of the year — the first combined deer and elk rifle season — begins Saturday, Oct. 11, along with the economic boost hunters bring to Colorado.
Revenues from hunting and fishing nets about $1.6 billion for the state’s economy. Approximately 600,000 hunters support over 20,000 jobs putting over $706 million worth of paychecks into the pockets of Colorado residents. In fact, the annual spending by Colorado sportsmen is two-and-a-half times more than the combined revenues of the Colorado Rockies, Denver Broncos and Denver Nuggets, which totals a mere $500 million.
The economic stimulus of hunting and fishing equates to over $3.5 million a day to the state’s economy. Many family-owned businesses across the Western Slope rely on this period to get them through the rest of the year. And, to all indications, 2008 will be a banner year with the exception of a small few pockets that got hit hard by last winter.
The first elk-only season has shown some exceptional results with wet weather and bulls still at the end of their rut. A lot of the game-processing facilities have been working feverishly, which is a win/win situation for all. The first combined deer/elk season has a bright outlook with optimum hunting conditions. Early high-mountain snows will be driving deer down to lower, more accessible elevations as the elk will be more scattered from the first season hunt. Without pressure, elk will stay high and safe in certain pockets unless the snow is considerable.
Waterfowl: The first split waterfowl season concluded last weekend and will reopen Oct. 25-Jan. 25 for ducks and geese.
The first weekend is usually one of the best times for ducks as the early migrators have come into the valley and staged, being unbothered for two weeks.
Ducks: Daily bag limit for ducks and mergansers: seven in aggregate; of these, no more than two can be female mallards; one pintail, two redheads and two scaup (i.e., ring necks, bluebills); no scaup can be taken after Jan. 6. Season is closed on canvasbacks. Possession limit is two. Daily bag limits for coots: daily and possession limit is 25. Daily bag limit for geese: three dark geese; 10 light geese. Possession limit: six dark geese; 20 light geese.
*****
Fishing
Fishing is about as good as it gets right now with open water access starting to dwindle. Both warm-water and cold-water fish in nearby lakes and streams are very active and are on a feeding frenzy as the water temperatures cool.
Colorado River: Fishing is excellent for browns and rainbows from Silt to past Glenwood right now. Fish are being taken by all methods and tactics. Spin fisherman are capitalizing on the larger browns and rainbows using midsized minnow imitation crank baits. Gold/bronze and brass colors seem to be out producing most. Snap jigging spoons in these colors using the current and pockets to your advantage is proving to have exceptional results also.
Rifle Gap: Pike fishing is great for short periods of times. Currently, this has become the ultimate destination warm water fishery in the region. Pike to 18 pounds are not uncommon now. They are feeding heavily on the abundance of perch and all signs are showing a swing in the size of perch and crappie. Pike are essential as a predator to keep this fishery in check to avoid stunting like has occurred at Crawford. All species from trout, walleye, pike, perch and bass are healthy and thriving.
Harvey Gap: Fishing is good for perch, bluegill, crappie, pike and bass. Trout action has been good as well.
Crawford: Pike action is fair. All other species are good. Perch and crappie are still on the small side.
Juniata: Trout action is picking up with some very fat healthy rainbows. Walleye and small moth bass action is turning on as well. Access is difficult along the shores with the mud and dropping water levels.
Lake Powell: Stripers are lazy as they feed on the abundance of shad. The health of the fishery has turned out to be amazing with all the prey. The stripers as well as all the other game fish are as fat and healthy as they have been for years. The growth rates are exceptional with a good balance of predator vs. prey. Bass action is heating up and walleye fishing is consistently getting better as the water cools.
