Elk Hunting in Colorado GMU 7 - Larimer County

Bounded on N by Wyoming; on E by County Road 103 (Laramie River Road); on S by County Highway 14; on W by Larimer-Jackson County line.

There are many wilderness areas here that can only be reached by foot or horseÓno vehicle access. Hunters must know where they are in this area as there are many public lands locked on all sides by private land. Donftt risk access unless you have received permission well in advance of the hunt. Elk habitat is spread across a wide range of land ownership categories.

The largest single land manager is the United States Forest Service (USFS), followed closely by private landowners. The vast majority of USFS land is National Forest or designated wilderness. There are 4 USFS wilderness areas in the DAU; Cache La Poudre Wilderness (14 sq. mi.), Comanche Peak Wilderness (96 sq.

mi. in E-4), Neota Wilderness (15 sq. mi.) and Rawah Wilderness (113 sq. mi.).

There are some small areas managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Among state lands, those managed as State Wildlife Areas (C) or State Land Board holdings account for almost all of the total area. Many of these state properties provide elk hunting opportunities. Outside of private land, USFS, BLM and C lands receive almost all elk hunting pressure.

Human occupation is limited, particularly in the western (Laramie River valley) and southwestern portions of the area (upper Poudre, Joe Wright Creek).

Elk summer range generally includes areas between 9,500 and 11,500 feet in elevation. These areas usually become available to elk as snowlines recede in mid to late May. The majority of elk in this area winter at elevations between 7,000 and 9,500 feet. A large proportion of the elk herd in the northern GMUs winter along the Colorado/Wyoming state line, and as such are often not in Colorado during the winter months.

Many west and south-facing slopes are typically clear of snow all year, with occasional spring and late winter storms depositing accumulations which quickly melt off. Weather-related winter elk mortality is usually not a factor here.

HuntScore Tip

Public land and private land percentages can sometime be misleading. A unit may have 80% public land, but a particluar species may only occupy 20% on the entire area. And that 20% species distribution may lie 100% within private lands. Does that sound confusing? Just remember that there are always exceptions to the rule, and land ownership is just one piece of the puzzle.