Visited both towns last week. Both are known for hunting. Wondered if anyone here has hunted either area. How was it?

I hunted for Elk in the Routt Forest about 15 yrs. ago. Saw lots of deer, elk and a few bear. We hunted the primitive area, walk in only. Packing 2 elk out was quite a chore, even for 4 of us.

The areas were hit hard last winter, lots of dead deer, pronghorn and a few elk.

I hunted deer NW of Craig on wintering ground several years ago. Large herds of elk and deer would pile in for winter, antelope too.
Open country hunting, it was fun.

My son just moved from Craig to Boise this Spring. He was the BLM Superintendent for the Craig HotShots. They had a terrible winter in town, with snow up to 6 feet on the flats outside town, and lost a lot of deer and antelope. Many jumped down into the roadway, and couldn't get back up so traffic accidents were common also

I talked to a resident of Craig and he told the same story about the winter and the toll it took on wildlife. He said he owns property west of town and it was incredible the number of dead animals on his place.

In 1989 during my cowboy phase I lived in Colorado and hunted the Craig area several years. Had a friend who was related to a rancher who gave me permission on private land. Had a great time in this area. which has huge open sage brush terrain. I Harvested my only elk, a cow and a small 8 point mule deer and several does during this time. Yes packing out even a cow was one of the most demanding chores I ever loved accomplishing.

The area is a wintering area for huge herds of game ( both deer and elk). When I took the cow on a permit I spent hours trying to get within range of my objective.

As it is so open and thousands of eyes scanning for danger it is not a simple task getting within reasonable range.

As an aside the sagebrush was loaded with cotton tails and we amused ourselves with an unlimited supply rabbits that made excellent table fair.

Love my Texas but sure do miss my Colorado years.