Winterhawk operates in Colorado’s White River National Forest and the Flat Tops Wilderness. The White River National Forest is two million acres in central Colorado west of the Continental Divide.
Winterhawk operates in Colorado’s White River National Forest and the Flat Tops Wilderness. The White River National Forest is two million acres in central Colorado west of the Continental Divide.
 

 

 

 

 
 
hunting
 
Winterhawk operates in Colorado’s White River National Forest and the Flat Tops Wilderness. The White River National Forest is two million acres in central Colorado west of the Continental Divide.Winterhawk operates in Colorado’s White River National Forest and the Flat Tops Wilderness. The White River National Forest is two million acres in central Colorado west of the Continental Divide. It is one of the largest and oldest National Forests in the Rocky Mountains. Our U.S. Forest Service permits consist of over 250 square miles of prime National Forest and Wilderness Land, which is one of the largest outfitter permitted areas in Colorado. It contains some of the Rocky Mountains’ most spectacular scenery.

The Flat Tops Wilderness lies within the White River National Forest and is one of the largest primitive areas in the Rocky Mountains. It is well known as some of the very best elk and deer country anywhere. Wildlife in the area include elk, mule deer, black bear, big horn sheep, mountain lion, and an occasional moose. Colorado has more elk than any other U.S. state or Canadian province. The elk herd we hunt is estimated at 54,000 animals. And while its best known for elk, it produces quality mule deer bucks as well. In response to a question about Colorado whitetail hunting, the Colorado Division of Wildlife responded: “Colorado isn't known as a white-tailed hot spot because its overshadowed by the finest mule deer hunting in the world. Garfield and Mesa counties lead the listings of record book mule deer taken, and Eagle and Grand counties are also wellLarry and a Pack Train represented.” Winterhawk’s hunting areas are in Garfield and Eagle counties. We hunt game management areas 24, 25, 26, and 35. For more Information on White River National Forest ... Click Here

In 1985, the Colorado Division of Wildlife established a four-point restriction on elk in the Flat Tops Wilderness and parts of the White River National Forest. This has greatly increased the bull to cow ratio and its now estimated at 22 bulls per 100 cows. The regulations have dramatically improved the quality of our bulls. The number of mature branch antlered bulls increases each season and our hunting just keeps getting better year after year.
Steve Werden
Brad Gable
Gary Schwab
Rob Carpenter
Steve Werden
St. Paul, MN
Brad Gable
Philomont, VA
Gary Schwab
West Seneca, NY
Guide: Russell Lambert
Rob Carpenter
Richland, MI

INCREASING ELK HERD POPULATION
Elk populations in the White River National Forest and the Flat Tops Wilderness Area continue to increase with each passing year. Much of this is accredited to the four point or better bull restriction imposed in 1985. Another great reason for the dramatic increase is several consecutive mild winters with little or no winterkill and superb elk habitat and the abundance of summer feed for the elk and deer.

Our deer numbers are on a good increase since the deer license drawing. The unusually mild winter has been a much larger benefit on deer than elk because the elk are a much bigger and heartier animals and can stand harsher weather than deer.

Estimated populations
by the Colorado Division of Wildlife:
1975 – 27,200 elk
1980 – 35,000 elk
1985 – 35,000 elk
1990 – 40,000 elk
1995 – 42,000 elk
2000 – 50,000 elk
2002 – 52,000 elk

The Colorado Division of Wildlife strives for an approximate 5% harvest on animals per year.
 
Winterhawk operates in Colorado’s White River National Forest and the Flat Tops Wilderness. The White River National Forest is two million acres in central Colorado west of the Continental Divide.