06/12/2026
Visit Meeker Colorado
Meeker Colorado Chamber of Commerce
Colorado's snowpack is dismal. On 6/9/25 this snowbank was belly-deep on a mule. On 6/1/26, it was ankle deep! Here is our prediction for how the low snowpack will affect fall hunting seasons:
✅GOOD -- Most ungulate mortality occurs between December and March. This year, winter range conditions were mild and overwinter survival was high.
✅GOOD -- Without much weather during the 2025 fall rifle seasons, hunter harvest was low. This means higher than average survival of adult bucks/bulls.
✅GOOD -- Elk calf survival directly correlates with nutrition. A healthy cow who overwintered in good body condition produces a stronger more viable calf that is less susceptible to starvation, sickness, and/or predation. There will likely be many healthy calves on the ground this spring!
❌BAD -- Unless we have an unusually wet summer season, range conditions will be poor. Above timberline alpine grasses will dry earlier and scorch. The better feed will be near water and in the woods. Elk will be less dispersed and will concentrate on areas with good feed. A savvy hunter, however, will use this to their advantage!
❌BAD -- If we don't receive heavy monsoon rains, the fire danger will be extreme! Hopefully, this isn't a repeat of 2025 with multiple wildfires burning and extensive USFS closures. Pray for rain!
