Elk hunters enjoyed average success in 2006, but no one expected records. In fact, game managers proved eerily on target with their 2006 preseason forecasts.

Hunters bagged 56,933 elk, including almost 27,000 bulls, according to surveys just completed by the Colorado Division of Wildlife. Biologists had predicted a harvest of about 57,000 elk.

Deerstalkers' fortunes again reflected herds in hearty recovery since all-limited deer hunting became the rule in 1999. They bagged 44,784 deer, about 3,000 more than in 2005.

Elk hunters taken together (all methods) performed about average, with 24 percent successful. Deer hunters again scored a solid 46 percent success.

Many hunters last fall were aided by snowy weather, which drove animals down from higher elevations early in the rifle seasons in northwestern Colorado.

Again, deer hunters also benefited from a rise in buck numbers. Until recently, Colorado's deer herds averaged 15 bucks per 100 does. Now, the statewide average is 30 bucks per 100 does.

Bucks comprised 76 percent of the total kill. About 97,800 deer hunters participated in the limited hunts last year.

Rifle deer hunters performed best, with 51 percent success. Muzzle loaders were 32 percent successful, while 22 percent of bowhunters bagged their deer.

Game managers didn't expect any huge increases in the elk harvest and certainly nothing close to the 2004 record haul of 63,336 elk.

That's because the era of ultragenerous cow/calf tag allotments is history. The once overpopulated herds are approaching objectives, and several have arrived.

Among elk hunters, the statistical sharp edge cuts in favor of those who draw licenses for the limited first-rifle season. First in the woods, with low hunter pressure, more than 32,000 first-rifle hunters last year achieved an impressive 32 percent success.

Naturally, success was more elusive during the second and third rifle seasons, when hunt pressure swells with hunters bearing over-the-counter bull tags. During second-rifle, hunter numbers nearly doubled, to 60,500, while success fell to 22 percent.

About 19 percent of 45,700 hunters who attended the third rifle season packed critters out. But the limited fourth rifle season, when animals were at lower elevations, produced for 27 percent of 19,000 hunters.

Big-game hunters who are doing the math for their 2007 limited license applications can review the harvest records for individual game units at www.Wildlife.State.CO.US. Click on Hunting, Big Game Hunting and Statistics.

Tuesday is the application deadline.

MEALS FOR NEEDY: After skipping meals last year because of money problems, Colorado's chapter of Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry is ready to supply the Denver Rescue Mission with venison again this fall.

The program, which processes and delivers game meat donated by hunters, enjoyed high success in 2004 and 2005. But last year, it ran out of funds.

Gregg Kay, Colorado director of FHFH, said several donors came through with money for the venison crusade. He received $2,000 from the NRA Foundation.

"One private donor gave $1,000," Kay said. "Numerous people gave good donations, so we're back in business."

For information, e-mail greg gkay@Hotmail.com.

dentrye@RockyMountainNews.com