2012 hunting seasons
Pronghorn muzzleloading — Oct. 21 to 29
Pronghorn archery (bucks only) — Aug. 15 to 31
Pronghorn archery (either sex) — Sept. 1 to 20
Moose archery — Sept. 8 to 23
Deer and elk archery — Aug. 25 to Sept. 23
Regular muzzleloading for deer, elk and moose (draw only) — Sept. 8 to 16
Moose rifle (draw only) — Oct. 1 to 14
Pronghorn rifle (draw only) — Oct. 6 to 12
First elk season — Oct. 13 to 17
Second season deer and elk — Oct. 20 to 28
Third season deer and elk — Nov. 3 to 11
Fourth season deer and elk (limited) — Nov. 14 to 18
Black bear (limited; draw only) — Sept. 2 to 30
Black bear archery (unlimited with cap) — Sept. 2 to 23
Black bear muzzleloading (unlimited with cap) — Sept. 8 to 16
Black bear rifle (unlimited with cap) — Concurrent with deer/elk rifle seasons
Mountain lion (unlimited with quota) — Nov. 21 to March 31
Hunting License Agencies in Moffat County
2012 over-the-counter licenses are on sale July 10, 2012
Gunsmoke Taxidermy
37399 N. Highway 13, Craig
(970) 826-4293
King Sooper’s/City Market*
505 W. Victory, Craig
(970) 824-6515
Kmart
1198 W. Victory Way, Craig
(970) 824-2966
Loaf N Jug
101 Brontosaurus Blvd., Dinosaur
(970) 374-2461
Maybell Store*
60311 Highway 40, Maybell
(970) 272-3262
MJK Sales & Feed*
290 Ranney St., Craig
(970) 824-6581
Murdoch’s Ranch & Home Supply*
2355 W. Victory Way, Craig
(970) 824-4100
Northwest Auto*
801 E. Victory Way, Craig
(970) 824-2962
Northwest Pawn Shop
801 E. Victory Way, Craig
(970) 824-2962
Safeway*
1295 W. Victory Way, Craig
(970) 824-9496
Samuelson’s True Value*
456 Breeze St., Craig
(970) 824-6683
Walmart*
2000 W. Victory Way, Craig
(970) 824-0340
*Craig Chamber of Commerce members
Craig, Colorado: the Elk Hunting Capital of the World.
The city’s motto says a lot, but the numbers do most of the talking:
• Approximately 56,940 elk inhabit Craig and the surrounding areas.
• There are 42,370 elk in the White River elk herd south of Craig, which makes it the largest migratory herd of elk in North America.
• There are 14,570 elk in the Bears Ears herd north of Craig.
Simply put, the region has more elk than the rest of Colorado.
Elk populations can be controversial at times, but during hunting season the only concern area hunters and guides have is the number elk in the field.
And the thousands of hunters who make the trek to the region every year usually meet with success.
Hunters took home 7,959 elk from the White River Herd in 2010 (the latest number available). Hunters took another 3,152 elk from the Bears Ears herd.
The more than 11,000 elk killed in Northwest Colorado accounted for more than 23 percent of the elk killed statewide.
If hunters are new to the game or if they want to hunt some of the best hunting units in the region, they can contact area outfitters who can take them on a guided hunt.
But if hunters aren’t interested in taking down one of the region’s many elk, there are plenty of other options.
In the Routt National Forest in northeastern Moffat County, hunters can go after black bears and mountain lions. The region has wild turkey, deer and antelope as well.
For more information on the region’s many hunting opportunities, call the Craig Chamber of Commerce at (970) 824-5689 or visit www.craig-chamber.com.