Lack of Snowfall out West = Smaller Elk, Deer, and Moose Racks for 2026?

[HornPorn]

One thing I havent seen anyone talking about, maybe I missed it, is the lack of snowfall out west in the Rockies. I have friends who live in various ski towns, and "the worst season in history" has been stated by several. Even if it dumps from here on out, how much realistically can be caught up? Seems a certainty that there will be way below average snow melting this spring/summer, and everyone knows precipitation has a direct correlation to antler growth.

Im sure all the residents will say take 2026 off, because they dont want NR in their spots, but seriously.....it may not be the best year to burn a pile of points or drop that $15K+for the private ranch hunt. Im thinking maybe 2026 will be a better year to hunt OTC or leftover/2nd choice tags....get out there, but don't cash in chips to do it

 

[Big Sky Guy]

Seems like any answer is pure speculation at this point. Precipitation doesn’t have to be snow. Still a lot of winter left. Can get rain in April and May. Crazy to me a guy wouldn’t burn points because racks might be smaller. Upside is should be near zero winter kill and hunting season this year was a bust for a lot of folks so I would think numbers overall would be up. Where I hunt in Montana and my hunting circle we went 0/5 and we are guys that kill elk nearly every year so that right there is 5 more elk for next year.

Edit to add: I would be more concerned about the impact of wildfire / forest closure / visibility and air quality on my hunt plans than on rack size. Even that is still early and a coin toss at this point though.

 

[Maverick1]

Does not affect my application strategy.

Tags are challenging to come by.

I’ll take whatever I can get.

 

[HiMtnHntr]

Severe drought will have an effect on horn growth but that is a relatively small concern in the grand scheme of things. More concerning is the condition of cows/calves, does/fawns and the potential lack of production this year and what it means in future years in terms of animal numbers. Also, the range can only support so many animals. The reduction in the quality of forage across the transition and winter ranges will mean less animals on the landscape.

Yeah, horn growth will suffer, but I’d be more worried about fewer animals overall and fewer tags in the long term in the coming years.

Lastly, plenty of evidence that the greatest factor involved in trophy antler production is the condition of mother/young on the birth year. With that in mind, future years could be worse…

I hope we get some moisture soon.

 

[Flatgo]

I’d be more concerned with precip in May, June, and July for horn growth this year. I’d really be concerned about the condition of the does 4 years ago and that will predict horn growth the best for the current crop of animals reaching maturity antler wise, if I was strictly hunting for antlers

 

[MtnMuley]

I've flown all over the western half of the US in the past couple months. The lack of snowpack everywhere was definitely concerning to me. It won't change the way I apply, but it can't be good other than giving the animals an easy winter.

 

[mt terry d]

Not much growing in February… ever
Not to mention they aren’t growing antlers now
And more places have open springs so water to drink is probably even more available than in 2 feet of snow and ten below
And bucks will be in the best condition ever
We generally don’t get much moisture until MarchAprilMay anyway. And 8’ of snow in the mountains doesn’t mean much to anyone who isn’t irrigating out of the rivers. Besides if it warms up fast we’ll just send that water to the gulf and get videos of another 500 year flood.
There’s no frost so any wet snow or rain we get will go straight into the ground.
You can look at worst case scenario or best case. If you look at worst case you’ll never get out of bed.

 

[Weldor]

Been dry for sure, stock tanks are holding some water. We need snow or rain for sure. Been warm also should be 30's and 40's it's 60 plus. Weird winter for sure.

 

[bz_711]

less snow = less winter kill = more animals on the mountain this fall!

 

[Steve300xcw]

Pretty mild winter for sure. That said, it aint over yet. I've plowed a lot of snow mid feb-march.

Either way, it is what it is. If we had gotten a good heavy snow year, folks would be crying about the winter kill..

 

[Chris in TN]

I'm not sure we live or hunt on the same planet. Potential theoretical antler scores have never popped up in my list of reasons to go hunting (or not).

 

[Elkhuntinfool78]

As someone who lives out west I'm far more concerned with how bad of a fire season we might be in for

 

[Steve300xcw]

Yup. Will be a lotta money made this year I'm thinkin

 

[Pony Soldier]

My neighbor was 25 years older than me and he always said snow depths only affected the lakes because our ground is frozen. The may, june , july rains determine our hay crops and forest fires.

I have found that to be true.

 

[mtnwrunner]

All I know at the moment is that there are a TON of animals out and they look really well.
Usually at this time of the winter, I see lots of winter kill.

Randy

 

[Steve300xcw]

My neighbor was 25 years older than me and he always said snow depths only affected the lakes because our ground is frozen. The may, june , july rains determine our hay crops and forest fires.

I have found that to be true.

It might be true. But theres no fear or drama to discuss if you use that kinda logic

 

[9487329]

I'm very worried about the fires.

 

[Poser]

Skiing and hunting have this both in common:

If you only want to go in ideal conditions, then its not the sport for you.

 

[Fireflyfishing]

Seems like any answer is pure speculation at this point. Precipitation doesn’t have to be snow. Still a lot of winter left. Can get rain in April and May. Crazy to me a guy wouldn’t burn points because racks might be smaller. Upside is should be near zero winter kill and hunting season this year was a bust for a lot of folks so I would think numbers overall would be up. Where I hunt in Montana and my hunting circle we went 0/5 and we are guys that kill elk nearly every year so that right there is 5 more elk for next year.

Edit to add: I would be more concerned about the impact of wildfire / forest closure / visibility and air quality on my hunt plans than on rack size. Even that is still early and a coin toss at this point though.

Spring rains are important for the Northern Rockies. So the jury is still out for NR. However, UT and CO are way more dependent on snowpack as spring rains aren’t really a thing in either of those locations.

 

[Mtndawger]

This winter has been so mild that I’m betting the animals are coming through it in prime condition with higher than normal fat reserves. To me that spells great odds for higher calving success and healthy antler growth. The key will be how much moisture comes April-July.