Colorado Beetle Kill

[brn2hnt]

Anyone have a good map that shows the approximate range of the beetle kill in western colorado? Looking to keep hunting 3rd season but would like to get away from all the dead falls and widowmakers. My plan is to start exploring other units about every other year or so and trying to do as much research as I can before committing on one zone. Thanks

 

[mtnrunner260]

Man the trees are dying so fast next door in Utah I doubt you can keep a semi accurate map up to date but you should be able to get that info from the area forester. Also anyone who spends time in the area, bios LE etc should have a rough idea

 

[brn2hnt]

I'm just trying to get a map so I can cross reference that map with the gmu map so I can at least have somewhere to start looking.

 

[Bar]

You don't need beetle kill to have lots of blow down/dead fall. You just need an old timber area, and no fires.

 

[KMT]

This is somewhat tongue in cheek, but beetle kill in Colorado is either really bad or really really bad. There isn't much of the state that has not been affected. So, I wouldn't plan a hunt specifically to avoid beetle kill. Like Bar said, you're going to find blow downs everywhere you find pine or spruce trees.

 

[brn2hnt]

Ok that makes sense. I just know that in the area my family has hunted since the 80's, beetle kill has dramatically changed the landscape and the hunting. I know there's always blow down areas, but where we have been it's horrendous, even talking to locals. I guess I will just start with numbers then eliminate based on the severity of the downfalls. Thanks

Mike

 

[Shrek]

So how does the beetle kill effect the elk ? I would think the beetle kill areas would be great for the elk and deer as grass and forbes take over now that the sun reaches the ground and the downed timber keeps less dedicated hunters out. I know that downed timber is hell to negotiate but there may be an opportunity in that.

 

[toddb]

We hunt north of steamboat springs Colorado. Beetle kill is horrible and downed trees block a lot of good areas. We have to avoid some areas completely and when winds pick up everyone in our group sees and hears trees falling and we have to race out of there. To stubborn to find new areas as have been there since mid 80s. Son moved there in 2008 and has failed to get access to private land down low.

 

[krueger]

So how does the beetle kill effect the elk ? I would think the beetle kill areas would be great for the elk and deer as grass and forbes take over now that the sun reaches the ground and the downed timber keeps less dedicated hunters out. I know that downed timber is hell to negotiate but there may be an opportunity in that.

You are correct there is alot more feed on the ground in the beetle killed stands of timber. In the areas that I hunt this makes the hunting way harder because the deer and elk aren't coming out into the open parks and meadows to feed anymore and you can't effectively glass into the beetle killed areas where they are holed up. They have a lot more security in that beetle killed blowdown jungle and it makes the them harder to kill if they arent vocal.

 

[justin davis]

Beetles are doing what fire should have been doing. Less trees equals more feed for animals and better habitat.

 

[Shrek]

Comments reinforce my belief that the blow down jungles are an opportunity for those that develop the right mentality and skills. A lot of bulls will get some age in the areas and it my take a tremendous amount of patience to hunt them but there will be big rewards for those that are successful in adapting. It's probably not for an old fat dude like me but if I was a younger man in great shape I'd be all over those places.

 

[Elkfitness]

Not the best pic, but I've taken two elk out this beetle kill area. The worst part about getting an animal out is the jenga puzzle stuff at night.

 

[1hoda]

If you don't want beetle kill you will have to hunt areas with pinyon and juniper.

 

[Eric Bailey]

There is no beetle kill where I hunt in 45. Get somewhere high, cool, and wet and you'll find lots of healthy spruce.