Hunters and many avid nature goers might have noticed a decrease of elk and deer, and tighter regulations at national parks. Park and Wildlife officials declared that hunters are to expect large reductions in the number of big game hunting license in what is being called unprecedented cuts.
Thea area most affected is Northwest Colorado, stretching from Rangley to Steamboat Springs all the way to the Wyoming state 
line. This is the severe winter zone where last winter was the worst in the 70 years. Deep long-lasting, low-elevation snowpack made it difficult for mule-deer, elk and pronghorn to find food. What would happen was the heavy snow would Melt during the day and Freeze at night, over time this created many hard layers that they could not penetrate. The snowpack pushed them unusually far west where food wasn’t any more abundant.
The numbers coming out are either-sex mule deer license have been cut by a 48% reduction. While female mule deer have been cut by 94%, in some areas as little and 10 per hunting code. For antler less elk license cuts reached down to 63%. Beyond the reduction in hunting licenses, Parks and Wildlife has shortened the second and third rifle seasons by five days for over-the-counter bull elk licenses if used in specific Game Management Units in Northwest Colorado.
These steep reductions this year should help to allow herds to replenish. The wildlife officials say the moisture from this summer has been good for the herds and foliage, and we can only hope that this winter is not as harsh. As well that herds that have migrated away from northwestern Colorado will return.
Personally I hunt in code 3, Yampa County, which is within the severe winter area. Last year we experienced unusually heavy snow during the 2nd season (October 28- November 5). It snowed heavily than melted during the warm day making everything and everyone muddy. But freezing temperatures at night meant it all froze over. A good indication that as the winter worsened it would melt less until all was frozen. My family and I will not be returning this year due to a lack of tags among us, we can only pray that herds return.
