Western Colorado

[Roger Moerke]

Just curious how is the hunting and fishing and the like over near Clifton Colorado. I may have to check it out soon. Thanks

[houseman]

Come on guys, i am moving to western colorado in june. i would like to know too?

[Bugle1N]

I was raised on the West Slope around Montrose.  Clifton is basically Grand Junction.  There are very good opportunities for hunting and fishing near there.  Elk, Deer, water foul, rabbits, lion, upland, etc.  Rivers and Lakes are plenty with the Grand Mesa right out the back door.  Really there is so much National Forest and BLM that you will never run out of places to go.  Grand Junction itself is semi-arid desert, a bit hot for my tastes, but as soon as you go just about any direction you gain altitude and fast in many cases.  Humidity is extremely low though.  You will notice your skin drying up.

You should enjoy yourself.

[TexMex]

I really enjoyed my stay (6yrs)in GJ  

[kadbow]

Like Bugle1N said.  There is also a pretty good sized group of trad guys in the area and a nice range.

[Roger Moerke]

Thanks a bunch I knew some one would sound off. Thanks again roger

[Jimscol]

One of the big differences that you will find compared to hunting in MO is the length of the bow season.   The archery elk and deer season runs from the last Saturday in August to the last Sunday in September.   So just when your 4-month long deer season is starting in MO the archery deer and elk season here is finished.   There are lots of other animals to hunt such as bear (no spring season), pronghorn, mtn lion, sheep, goats.  However some of these tags will take several years to draw.   A lot of guys will go to the midwest to hunt whitetails in November or to AZ in January to hunt Coues deer and/or Javelina. I hope that this helps.   Jim

[wifishkiller]

The bow season is short!  Thank god im close to other states or Id go nuts.

[Matty]

Yeah the season is short AND you kinda have to hunt mulies and elk at the same time.. Some areas dont work that well.  I rarely see good mulies when I hunt elk. However Western CO has lots of opportunities and good places to hunt...

[Roger Moerke]

Yeh I'm addicted to whitetail but should have a place here in the midwest if I need a fix just not as easy. I'm ready for a change though. Thanks again

[houseman]

Thanks for the info.  My family will be moving to grand junction in june, Looking forward to meeting you all.  It's going to be alot of change learning of a whole new way of hunting.  Gonna miss the rut in the midwest, well i have alot of hunting land i can always come back to.

[Jimscol]

If you are here in June try coming up to the Colorado Traditioal Archers Society (CTAS) High Country shoot on June 22-24 north of New Castle.  A lot of the traditional bowhunters throughout the state will be there and it will be a good opportunity to meet people and find out about the hunting opportunities.   Jim

[houseman]

Jim we are heading that way the first or second week of june.  My wife wants to take are time and see some sights on the way.  If between unpacking and such i would love to come.  I'll let my wife know the dates.  She's pretty understaning of my ah, habbit.  Thanks for info on this, Can't wait to get there.  Jeff

[Jimscol]

Jeff: Even if you could make it up there for a day, it would be worth the effort.   As Mark (Kadbow) said above there are quite a few trad bowhunters around here.  During the summer there are informal shoots every Thursday evening at a local archery range.  Jim

[houseman]

Might be a good weekend for us to not unpack!  Meet some folks and have some fun.

[kadbow]

Jeff, not only would you get to meet some folks and shoot some great ranges but you would also see some nice country.

[houseman]

O.K.  We need to stop all this!!!!  I still have to wait 4 mos.  Till we pack up and get there.  I have never been so excited about a move.  I justcan't wait.  Thanks for all the help.  Mark, i will talk to you this weekend.  Jeff

[coaltroll]

I agree with Jim, the CTAS high country shoot is a lot of fun with a lot of good people. Lots of hunting opertunities. Fishing is pretty good in some areas. Just east of Grandjunction up on the
Grand Mesa is some of the best fishing around. Lots of lakes and good streams. You might even get lucky and see a moose or maybe some sheep up that way. Go either north east or south and you are in some very pretty country with excellent hunting oppertunities everywhere.