The summer months can draw out slow like molasses for elk hunters waiting for the hunting seasons to open. During those summer drives to the park with the kids, backyard barbecues and afternoons at the lake, there is always that little glance up at the mountains.

Author Michael Peceny took this 6x5 bull with a bow while hunting GMU 019 last year. Predictions call for a productive 2009. Photo courtesy of Michael Peceny.

With most of the licenses and planning already taken care of for the upcoming hunt, elk hunters can finally head to the woods and expect a good 2009 season.

"Based on what we seen in the statistics gather from 2008 thus far, I'd say elk hunting in Colorado will probably be better in 2009," said Mary Lloyd, the Colorado Division of Wildlife's big-game data analyst. "Several factors in 2008 contributed to a lot of elk carrying through to this year. Some units had lowered cow tags available, and the weather slowed the migration and limited the elk numbers in many historically good hunting grounds."

These signs point to a larger numbers throughout the state.

WEATHER
Weather always plays an important role in the movements and behaviors of elk in the fall hunting season.

Last year, we saw a relatively weak storm phase. The mild winter gave Colorado elk a reprieve. The last rifle seasons in 2008 were more than a little frustrating for hunters and outfitters. The elk migration was late and slow, and often occurred after most hunting dates had come and gone.

The DOW released a press statement in early 2009 that said fall temperatures were well above average, and snowfall was minimal during all seasons. Herds saw no reason to leave their traditional summer ranges and head for winter range, said the state game managers.

Tim Matschee of Matschee Guide Service said the elk that he saw didn't move from dark timber until just after shooting light.

"And in the morning, the elk would be leaving the meadows before first light," he said.

Brady Thomas, a guide for Ponderosa Outfitters, said he saw relatively the same numbers of bulls on private land, but the overall numbers and antler mass on public-land bulls was noticeable smaller.

"The warmer weather definitely slowed down the elk migrations, and the dry conditions made for a lot of thin and light bull antler growth," said Thomas. "We passed on a lot of 6x6s, because they were so small."

The good news is that late migrations and mild winter months in 2008 have allowed many more elk to survive and will provide more opportunities for elk hunters for this year's hunting seasons.

Long forgotten are the DOW sustained feeding programs during 2007, implemented to prevent mass starvation.

TROPHY UNITS
As with all other states, Colorado has several game management units that are considered trophy units. Game units like 076, 001, 002, 201 and 010 have a long history of producing large bull elk, and consequently provide a less-than-average chance for acquiring a hunting tag for those areas.

"Some areas are considered high-demand units. GMU 201, for example, carries a waiting period of around 18 years for the early-season bull elk hunts," said Lloyd, the data analyst.

According to the DOW 2008 harvest statistics, close to 1,100 people applied for a rifle tag in GMU 002 as their first choice, and only 2 percent, 31 people, actually received the license. These are pretty low numbers and slightly depressing considering that a minimum of 16 resident preference points are required before you can even be entered into the rifle license pool for GMU 002. You archers out there have it a little better: GMU 002 only asks for 14 resident preference points!

That being said, if you have the preference points and you received the tag, then you may just be in for the hunt of a lifetime.