The Colorado Division of Wildlife Web site can be accessed at www.dnr.state.co.us/hunt/ where you will find applications, regulations, draw results, harvest stats, preference point stats, hunting reports, maps and other resources. DOW headquarters can also be called by dialing (303) 297-1192.

IDAHO
The news out of Idaho exemplifies the double-edged sword that is the vagary of weather. Speaking of the 2003-'04 season, Brad Compton, state big-game manager, explained, "We had high over-winter survival with our antelope herds because of the lack of snow pack. That was good news. The down side is that we then experienced a drop in fawn production because less water meant a lack of forage production."

The concept of a "good" winter takes on new meaning when you consider that snow is the source of water throughout the balance of the year within the Intermountain region. However, the animals that did survive under these conditions fared relatively well.

"The herds went into (this last) winter in good shape with large thrifty fawns," Compton explained. "I don't think we'll see the negative repercussions of this latest drought and the poor forage effect until 2006."

The overall concern at the present is with the broad ecological health of the sagebrush/steppe environment. Declines in this habitat type have had deleterious effects beyond pronghorns, to include declining populations of grouse and mule deer.

To address these concerns, the department is engaging in many habitat improvement projects including cost-sharing programs with private landowners and federal land agencies.

While the Gem State is not typically associated with huge antelope, Compton advised that last season did see a trophy come out of Unit 46 with horns measuring 17 inches. He also advised that Unit 41 is a good hunt area for large numbers of antelope and pretty decent bucks. Unit 45 also holds good animal densities.

As an aside, Compton related that hunting for antelope with archery equipment is becoming much more popular, in part because tags for the bow season are unlimited. However, this popularity has had its share of negative consequences.

In particular, Compton said that they have experienced difficulties with hunters abandoning blinds or getting into territorial altercations when staking out waterholes.

His request is concise and smart: "Please share."

The Web site for Idaho Fish and Game is at http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/ and contains information on regulations, licenses, access maps and more. You may also contact the IDFG headquarters office at (208) 334-3700.

MONTANA
The Treasure State is also providing good news for goat chasers. The 2004 season, with a take of 30,439 animals, produced an impressive 11 percent increase in antelope harvest over that of the previous year's kill of 27,334.

That improvement came despite the intensity of the 2002-'03 winter.

"That year produced a tremendously severe winter," explained Ron Aasheim of Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks. "In fact we've changed a half-dozen of our districts due to migration changes brought on by that winter season."

This most recent winter season portends better potential.

"We had a mild winter with good population carry-over from last year," Aasheim said. "The southeast part of the state is still suffering from some drought so this fawn group could be off but our harvests should be similar and maybe even a little better."

Regarding trophy potential, Aasheim indicated that horn growth is dependent upon vegetative growth.

"Two years ago it was really good and last year was a good year," he said. "The bottom line is that we need moisture!"

On another front, Aasheim advised that the Block Management Program, which provides public hunting access to private lands, was reauthorized by the Montana Legislature. It is exactly this kind of cooperative, win-win scenario that will help preserve our hunting heritage long into the future.