The highest magnification for binoculars of the 42 mm Ultravid series. The newly designed eyepiece cup provides an especially comfortable eye position. This is especially noticeable via improved steadiness when viewing over long distances. The distinctive, precise diopter adjustment on the central column makes it easy to check the setting at a glance. The diopter can also be easily found by feel, but it locks and won’t get accidentally knocked off its setting.
Ultravid 10x42 BR Features
Prism Type: Roof
Magnification: 10x
Objective Diameter: 42mm
Angle of View: 6.4°
Field-of-View: (@ 1000 Yds) 336’ (112 m at 1000 m)
Minimum Focus Distance: 9.5’ (2.9 m)
Exit Pupil Diameter: 4.2mm
Eye Relief: 16mm
Relative Brightness: 17.6
Twilight Factor: 20.5
Focus Type: Center
Weatherproofing: Waterproof & fogproof
Tripod Socket: No
Dimensions: 4.8 x 5.6 x 2.6” (121 x 142 x 67mm) WxHxD
Weight: 1.69 lb (765 g)
Limited Lifetime Warranty
I had problems with fogged up eyeside lenses at the beginning while hunting hart and sweating around the eyes (well, not just around the eyes). Now I use anti fog gel which keeps the lenses fog free.
The eyepiece caps and the objective caps don´t last very long, but after calling Leica the Customer Service replaced those broken caps immediately for no cost. Great Service!!!
Nonresidents can order a big game brochure by calling 303-297-1192 or by using the Online Order Form. Be aware the Postal Service can take up to 10 days to deliver a brochure to your home, therefore printing the pages you need online and applying for a license online are both encouraged so hunters can meet the deadline. Applying online also helps avoid application mistakes.
Hunters have the entire month of March to apply. The deadline is midnight April 3rd.
Source: Colorado Division of Wildlife
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Colorado GMU Map [333kb]
Note: Unit boundaries are subject to change. Use the descriptions for exact boundaries of units. Unit descriptions are mapped in clockwise rotation, beginning in the northwest corner with each segment connecting to the next. Boundaries on all maps are approximate.
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1 tbsp. sugar
1 Pint Buttermilk
1 Pint meat stock
1/2 tsp. ground thyme
1/2 tsp. ground thyme
1 tsp. black pepper
Berry Jam/Jelly
parsley sprigs
radish rosettes
yellow squash slices
Scientific name
- Cervus elaphus
Subspecies
- Rocky Mountain (Rocky Mountain West)
- Roosevelt's (Pacific Coast)
- Tule (Central California)
- Manitoban (northern Great Plains)
- Merriam's (Southwest and Mexico) - Extinct
- Eastern (east of the Mississippi) - Extinct
Deer family
- Elk
- Moose
- Caribou
- Mule deer
- White-tailed deer
Biology
| Who's Who | ||
| Bull | Male elk | |
| Cow | Female elk | |
| Calf | Baby elk | |
| Spike | Yearling bull elk | |
| Size | ||
| Newborn calf | 35 pounds (16 kg) | |
| Cow | 500 pounds (225 kg) 4 1/2 feet (1.3 m) at the shoulder 6 1/2 feet (2 m) from nose to tail | |
| Bull | 700 pounds (315 kg) 5 feet (1.5 m) at the shoulder 8 feet (2.4 m) from nose to tail | |
Calves
- Typically born in late May through early June
- Calves are born spotted and scentless
- They spend their first few weeks hiding motionless while their mothers feed
| Diet | ||
| - Summer | grasses and forbs | |
| - Spring and fall | grasses | |
| - Winter | grasses, shrubs, tree bark and twigs | |
| - Elk may supplement their diet at licks, where they take in minerals that may help them grow healthy coats and produce nutritious milk | ||
| - An elk's stomach has four chambers: the first stores food, and the other three digest it | ||
Antlers
- Only male elk have antlers
- Bulls shed and grow a new set of antlers every year
- New antlers are covered in fuzzy skin called velvet
- Antlers harden by late summer and the velvet peels away
- By September, antlers are solid bone
- A set of antlers on a mature bull can weigh up to 40 pounds
Ivories
- An elk's top two canine teeth are called ivories
- Scientists believe ivories are remnants of saber-like tusks that ancestral species of elk used in combat
- Most hunters save ivories as a memento of the hunt
Thermoregulation
Winter
- Elk grow winter coats consisting of long, waterproof guard hairs covering dense, woolly underfur
- During the day, elk feed on open, sunny slopes
- Elk bed down in the trees at night to seek shelter from wind and cold temperatures
Summer
- An elk's summer coat consists of short, stiff, relatively sparse hairs
- Elk bed down in cool, shady forests during the day
- Elk wade or lie in streams, rivers, ponds and lakes to seek relief from heat and biting insects
- Blood pumping through the veins in the velvet on a bull's antlers cools before it returns to the heart to help cool the animal
Behavior
Social Organization
- Cows, calves and yearlings live in loose herds or groups
- Bulls live in bachelor groups or alone
- During the rut, cows and calves form harems with one or two mature bulls
Body Postures
- When alarmed, elk raise their heads high, open their eyes wide, move stiffly and rotate their ears to listen
- If a harem cow wanders, a bull stretches his neck out low, tips up his nose, tilts his antlers back and circles her
- Elk threaten each other by curling back their upper lip, grinding their teeth and hissing softly
- Agitated elk hold their heads high, lay their ears back and flare their nostrils, and sometimes even punch with their front hooves
| Vocalizations | ||
 |
Bull elk bugle to attract cows and advertise their dominance to other bulls | |
| Bull elk grunt at cows straying from the harem | ||
|
Cows bark to warn others of danger | |
|
Cows mew to keep track of one another | |
| Cows signal to their calves by whining softly | ||
| Calves in distress bleat for their mothers | ||
Source: Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation - http://www.rmef.org]]>
The Hoyt Trykon is 75 years of research, innovation and technology forged into one epic creation. Hoyt’s engineers have pushed the evolution of archery by completely redefining and redesigning every aspect of the bow. With the Hoyt Trykon, three specific objectives were met – to substantially reduce noise, eliminate vibrational energy and increase speed.
The engineers combined a longer Advanced TEC Riser with Hoyt’s new exclusive Parallel Split Limb Technology resulting in an incredibly quiet and recoil-free shot. Shot noise was further reduced by five full decibels and vibrational energy was reduced 15% by incorporating Hoyt’s new RizerShox directly in to the riser and utilizing FUSE Custom Strings with StringShox.
Speed was increased by an average of over 10 feet per second by combining the shorter 5-layer laminated parallel split limbs with the new Zephyr Cam & ½ System specifically engineered for blistering speed while maintaining an extremely smooth draw that is easy to hold.
The Zephyr Cam & ½ also utilizes a sealed ball bearing system maintaining ultimate consistency, durability and accuracy in any condition.
The Hoyt Trykon, available in Realtree Hardwoods Green HD®, is the total package — everything demanded by serious bowhunters.
To learn more about the Hoyt Trykon and the rest of Hoyt’s 2006 line of bows, visit them on the web at www.hoyt.com.
]]>| 2007 Expected Colorado Elk Season Dates Dates will be finalized in January 2007 | |
|---|---|
| Archery | 08/25/07 -- 09/23/07 |
| Muzzleloader | 09/08/07 -- 09/16/07 |
| Separate Elk | 10/13/07 -- 10/17/07 |
| Combined (2nd) | 10/20/07 -- 10/28/07 |
| Combined (3rd) | 11/03/07 -- 11/09/07 |
| Combined (4th) | 11/14/07 -- 11/18/07 |
The number of licenses issued on these ranches is determined through negotiations between the landowner and the DOW, with 10-20 percent of the male licenses and 100 percent of the female licenses allocated to the public.
In return, landowners receive 80-90 percent of the male licenses issued for their property, for which they can charge hunters fees to access the land. They also are allowed up to 90 days to hold their hunts. Season dates are negotiated between the DOW and the ranch. Both the public and the private seasons can start earlier and run later in the year than regular rifle seasons. Hunters are allowed to use any legal weapons on the ranches.
Jerry Apker, the DOW’s Ranching for Wildlife program coordinator, says some ranches with resident herds manage their big game populations to increase the age and size of their male animals. These offer real trophy hunts. Other ranches simply play host to migrating herds. Those animals move between private and public land, but during the seasons are usually under little hunting pressure.
“One added advantage to the DOW is that we get a female animal harvest on private land where without Ranching for Wildlife we probably wouldn’t get much at all,” says Apker. “That helps us meet our management objectives.”
Licenses issued for these ranches can only be used on the specified ranch. The public hunters are given the same access to the private property as those who pay a fee. DOW managers and the landowners, however, often work out some additional conditions on public hunters in order to spread hunting pressure and to relieve concerns about security and liability. Ranch rules are worked out between local DOW managers and the landowners.
“Hunting on these ranches is a privilege,” says Apker, “and public hunters need to respect the ranch rules for hunting at all times. That means closing gates, safeguarding livestock and sticking to designated hunting areas. Above all, public hunters should never forget that they’re hunting for a fraction of the fee they’d pay as a private hunting guest. Their behavior may determine whether the landowner opts out of Ranching for Wildlife or stays in the program.”
Successful applicants receive information on ranch rules well before their hunts. Each hunter is usually allowed to bring one non-hunting companion. Each must sign a liability release and check in and check out with the landowner. Hunters may have to camp on adjoining public land or secure lodging in the nearest town.
Last year, 3,270 Ranching for Wildlife licenses were issued to the public, and this year 3,381 were made available.
Ranch sizes, elevations and available licenses vary greatly.
Big Gulch Ranch in Moffat County in northwest Colorado, for example, offers excellent hunting on 100,000 acres in five separate game units north of Craig. In 2006, licenses available for the public draw were: 36 bull elk, 220 cow elk, nine buck deer, 60 doe deer, eight buck pronghorn, and 50 doe pronghorn. Success rates vary from 73 percent to 77 percent for elk, 92 percent to 85 percent for deer and 95 percent to 88 percent for pronghorn.
Hunters may need as many as eight preference points for an either sex elk license, six to eight for buck deer and up to 12 for a buck pronghorn. But cow elk and doe deer can be had for one to three preference points, while doe pronghorn require three to five points.
Blue Mountain Ranch in the same county is 21,500 acres and in 2006 offers these licenses: one bull elk, 25 cow elk, one buck deer, no doe deer, one buck and one doe pronghorn for public hunters. Hunters may need at least 12 preference points to secure a bull license and one to two preference points for cow elk, about 10 or 11 points for buck deer, and 12 or 13 points for buck pronghorn, and two to four for doe pronghorn. Blue Mountain boasts a 100 percent success rate for bull elk, 50 percent for cow elk, 88 percent for deer, and 80 percent for pronghorn.
In the southwest region, the Forbes Trinchera Ranch in Costilla County has 180,000 acres with 10 bull elk licenses, 75 cow licenses, 10 buck deer licenses and 50 doe licenses available for public hunting in 2006. Bull elk licenses may require 12 to 14 preference points and buck deer licenses require 13 to 14 points, while cow elk and doe licenses require one to three points. The success rate on elk is about 55 percent to 60 percent, and on deer, 90 percent to 95 percent.
Some plains ranches have only deer and pronghorn licenses available for public hunting. Others offer turkey licenses. And one, Twin Peaks in Las Animas County, offers four draw species - elk, deer, bear and turkey. Again, many preference points are needed: 11 for bull elk, seven for buck deer, four to five for bear and two to four for turkey. Success rates vary from 80 percent to 100 percent.
Anyone who has hunted on a Ranching for Wildlife unit has waited years to amass the preference points, but most will tell you the wait was worth it.
Season dates for each ranch vary and change each year. They are listed in the Big Game Brochure. The Ranching for Wildlife link in the hunting section on the Division’s Web site at http://wildlife.state.co.us/ranching/ranching.asp also lists the number of public licenses issued for each species by each ranch, the number of preference points needed and hunter success rates for the previous year.
Always carry a survival kit and know how to use it. Such a kit should include a knife, waterproof matches, compass, reflective survival blanket, high-energy food, water purification tablets, first aid kit, whistle and unbreakable signal mirror.
If you get lost, sit down, regain your composure and think for a few minutes. Many times people who are lost can figure out where they went wrong and make it back to camp. If you truly don’t know where you are, stay put.
Papa Bear Whitmore, a survival expert who has taught Navy Seals, Green Berets and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police – and also Colorado Hunter Education courses - says survival is 80 percent attitude, 10 percent equipment and 10 percent skill and knowledge to use that equipment. His most important advice: “The best survival tool is your head. Use it.”
If you are caught in a storm or forced to spend the night out, there are three keys to survival: shelter, fire and signal.
If you can’t find camp and have to overnight in the wild, your first priority is shelter. Even if you have nothing else going for you - no fire or food - an adequate shelter that is warm and dry will keep you alive until rescuers find you. That means anything from an overhanging rock shelf to a cave, timbered lean-to or snow cave. Always prepare for the worst and build a shelter that will last. Cut boughs from evergreen trees and use them as padding and for covering.
Dress in layers and take extras with you. Put on layers before you become chilled and take off a layer before you become damp with perspiration. Staying warm is a process of staying dry. Do not dress in cotton – it becomes wet easily and is difficult to dry. Use wool, wool blends or synthetic clothing that wicks moisture away from skin.
Be sure to carry a quality stocking cap that is made of wool or synthetic fleece. You lose up to 45 percent of your heat around your head, neck and shoulders.
Winter headgear should conserve heat, breathe and be water repellent. The old saying, “If your feet are cold put your hat on” is good advice.
Use water-proof footgear, wool or synthetic socks, and always remember to carry gloves.
Fire is the second priority if you are forced to stay out overnight. Know how to build a fire even in wet or snowy conditions. That means carrying lighter, metal matches or wooden matches in waterproof containers and a fire-starter saturated with paint thinner such as steel wool, cotton balls or sawdust saturated with paint thinner. Experiment with various materials before going into the field. A fire will warm your body, dry your clothes, cook your food, and help you to signal for help.
The third priority is signaling. This can be done by fire - flames at night or smoke from green branches during the day; with a signal mirror in bright sunshine; and with sound - hence the whistle.
Food is not important in short-term survival situations. You can live up to three or four weeks without food. You will, however, be more efficient and alert, and have more confidence if you are able to satisfy your hunger. So carry some high-energy food in your survival kit.
Water is more important to survival than food. Your body needs about three quarts of water a day to metabolize its energy reserves and carry away waste. Carry iodine tablets to add to water taken from streams or snow banks. Avoid drinking ice-cold water which can serve to drop your body temperature.
Altitude sickness is another danger. Hunters who are fatigued, cold or exhausted are vulnerable. At the very least, altitude sickness can ruin a hunting trip; at the worst, it can prove fatal.
A hunter from coastal Washington state who flew from sea level to mile-high Denver, then drove to Trapper’s Lake on the Western Slope and backpacked to an altitude of 12,500 feet in the Flattops Wilderness Area - all within the span of 18 hours. He spent all five days of his hunt on his back in agony suffering from altitude sickness.
Take time to acclimate and do not move above 8,000 feet quickly. Symptoms of altitude sickness include shortness of breath, fatigue, nausea, headache and loss of appetite. To avoid altitude sickness get in shape, limit alcohol consumption, acclimate for a few days before the start of the season, and drink lots of water - staying hydrated is key factor in reducing your chances of getting altitude sickness.
Hunters with any heart problems should be extra careful in Colorado’s high country. To prevent problems hunters should consult their doctors before going to the high country. If you have a heart condition you should keep any prescribed medication with you at all times.
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Venison Steak-Italian Style
4 steaks
medium onion, sliced
1 green pepper
1 lb. can tomatoes
Dash of garlic powder and oregano (optional)
Salt and pepper to taste
Dredge steaks in flour. Sauté in skillet with sliced onion until brown. Add strips of green pepper and tomatoes. Season with salt and pepper. Add garlic powder and/or oregano. Simmer to 1 hour. Serve on rice.
Elk Stroganoff
2 lb. steak cut thick
2 cups mushrooms, chopped (fresh or canned)
1 cup finely chopped onion
2 tablespoons margarine/butter
3 beef bouillon cubes, low sodium preferred
4 cups cooked rice, noodles or chow mein noodles--your choice
1 cup boiling water
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 teaspoon dry mustard
teaspoon salt
2 tablespoon flour
1 cup light sour cream or plain yogurt
4 tablespoons dried parsley, garnish top when served
Cut steak into strips about 2 1/4 inches long. In large skillet, sauté fresh mushrooms and onion in 2 T. butter until golden brown. Remove and set aside. Brown meat on all sides (15 minutes). Dissolve bouillon cubes in boiling water; pour over meat. Add tomato paste, mustard and salt. Cook. Simmer 45 minutes or until tender. Combine flour and water. Slowly stir into meat mixture. Cook, stirring constantly, till mixture comes to a boil. Reduce heat. Add mushrooms, onions and sour cream. Heat but do not boil. Serve over hot rice, noodles or chow mein noodles. Serves 4-6.
Changes have also been implemented in Colorado’s preference point system, which allows hunters to accumulate points towards hunts in high-quality areas have limited numbers of licenses. To receive a preference point, applicants must participate in wildlife management in Colorado through purchase of hunting or fishing licenses or by paying a $25 preference point fee.
Colorado also is the only state to offer over-the-counter bull elk licenses. Hunters can purchase an unlimited over-the-counter bull elk license at any license retailer or DOW office and have the opportunity to hunt in a variety of great elk units around the state.
Remember, a hunter education card is required to hunt in Colorado for anyone born after January 1, 1949.