San Luis Valley elk
Don’t expect to grab a license and bag an elk during the two special San Luis Valley hunts in summer and autumn designed to force animals off valuable agricultural land. Neither will be easy to get. Division of Wildlife officials aren’t yet certain how many licenses will be issued, but nearly all require landowner permission through a voucher system and special arrangements. Some lottery licenses will be issued for adjacent Rio Grande, Higel and Russell Lakes state wildlife areas. A bull-only hunt for animals with partly developed antlers will be May 15-July 31. A cow hunt is set Aug. 15-Dec. 31. Phone the DOW office in Monte Vista, 719-587-6902.
Cherry Creek boating
A recent thaw prompted the opening of both the east and west marinas at Cherry Creek Reservoir to boating. However, Chatfield Reservoir formed a thin coating of ice over the weekend, prompting state parks officials to temporarily close the boat ramps. This impoundment along the southwest Denver-area foothills will reopen to boating as soon as conditions permit. Aurora Reservoir won’t allow boats until mid-March.
