CO velvet report 2026

[street]

I'm impressed with the antler growth I'm seeing so far this summer. The vegetation is good even with the mild winter. Think the bucks got a head start with recovery because of it. The bulls are looking good already too. Hopefully we get more rain the next couple months.

 

[robby denning]

Thanks for the update Mike..

looking back over many low snowpack years, the bucks/bulls usually do very well in the short term.

 

[180ls1]

I'd be curious how early they start shedding this year.

We have some that are hard horned already in San Diego (very early). Presumably from the hot "winter" shifting everything up, but I'm no biologist.

 

[SLVHNTR]

Seen some great bucks in unit 76 already. Hopefully this fire season doesn't get them pushed around too much.

 

[ckaz34]

 

[Hnthrdr]

Good crop of frontrange youngen’s no real studs yet

 

[street]

Was in a unit scouting recently that has been overhunted the last 5 years. I saw quite a few bucks. Two nice ones.

One doe with triplets. First time I've seen that.

 

[Cohunter22]

Antler growth in my unit is pretty behind compared to other years on both elk and deer.


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[MeatInTheFreezer]

I'm impressed with the antler growth I'm seeing so far this summer. The vegetation is good even with the mild winter. Think the bucks got a head start with recovery because of it. The bulls are looking good already too. Hopefully we get more rain the next couple months.

Thanks for this. I agree the vegetation in the mid and higher elevations in CO is good. Much better than expected. Will be interesting to see how it plays out with this hot summer.