Colorado Unit 80 Hunting Information

The vegetation in Unit 80 contains all the hallmarks of Colorado beauty. The coniferous forests full of spruces, firs and pines that forest the mountains join with the sagebrush-covered hills and valleys that paint the countryside. Pinyon-juniper flourishes in the middle to low elevations. Riparian vegetation such as cottonwoods and willows line the creeks and streams. However, the pine varieties and spruce trees have fallen victim to the beetle kill epidemic, which has left several dead trees standing amongst the others. Different professional studies reflect mixed results with the effect the beetle kill has had on wildlife. Some conclude that the elk and mule deer, in particular, are unscathed and some conclude that big game avoids the areas of concentrated deadfall. The only surefire way to determine if this will affect your hunt is to carefully look for sign. The occurrence of trees falling can be a hazardous situation so be observant of your surroundings. These beetle kill zones also present a denser, thicker timber to maneuver through. Aspen forests have not been targeted by parasitic beetles.