{"product_id":"2018-gmu-50-colorado-big-game-elkmule-deer-hunting-map-publicprivate-lands-spirited-republic-map","title":"2018 GMU 50 Colorado Big Game (Elk\/Mule Deer) Hunting Map (Public\/Private Lands)","description":"GMU 50 Hunting Map is the top-of-the-line map with the most reliable quality and updated (2018) GMU statistics found on the market.   Comprised of detailed contours and hillshade with geographic names, public lands, animal locations (Elk\/Mule Deer) and movements, roads, water bodies, and many other terrain and location markers.  This map indicates public lands symbology, to know whether you're in public or private land, when linked with your device's GPS technology.  Mark locations with pins or trails to know where you've been and where you are heading.  A must have reference map for the experienced hunter, and a necessity for those just getting into the sport.  The only map on the market providing the previous years hunting statistic.                The area comprises the center and northern half of South Park, as well as the mountains making up the northern and eastern boundaries of the park. GMU 50 includes the flats of South Park east and south of Highway 285 to Highway 24. It also includes the Puma Hills which rise to make up the eastern boundary of the park itself. Unit 500 includes a small part of the flats of South Park north of Highway 285 and rises rapidly to the top of the Park Range of mountains which make up the northern boundary of the park. Unit 501 includes the Tarryall and Kenosha Mountain Ranges and descends to the South Platte River valley to the east. Elevations range from 13,822 feet at Mount Silverheels, north of Fairplay, north to 6,100 feet at the confluence of the North Fork of the South Platte River with the main stem of the South Platte River where the river leaves the northeast corner of the DAU. The DAU includes much of the headwaters of the South Platte River drainage. The bottom of South Park ranges from 8,800’ to 10,000’ in elevation. The northern border of the DAU, along with portions of the Tarryall and Kenosha Mountains, is in the alpine tundra life zone (above 11,500’) and is characterized by sedges, forbs, and willows. As the elevation drops, subalpine forest is the next lifezone (9,000’-11,500’) dominated by subalpine fir, Engelmann spruce, aspen and bristlecone pine forests with interspersed mesas. The montane forest (5,600’-9,000) contains primarily ponderosa pine, Douglas-fir, lodgepole pine, and aspen. Riparian areas along most rivers and streams include narrowleaf cottonwood, willow, cinquefoil, current and an understory of sedges, forbs and grasses. The shortgrass prairie of South Park supports grasses and forbs with fringed sage and rabbitbrush creating a low overstory. Agricultural cropland in the DAU is now very limited and what remains consists of native grass hay fields in South Park and along some tributaries of the South Platte River. As with all of mountainous Colorado, the climate varies significantly with season, elevation and aspect. Elevations below 7,500 feet are typically warm in the summer and the south slopes generally remain snow free during most of the winter. Elevations between 7,500 feet and 9,500 feet have somewhat cooler and wetter summers with persistent snow cover on north aspects during the winter. South-facing slopes normally remain open or have minimal snow cover throughout the winter. Above 9,500 feet elevation the climate is much cooler and wetter during the summers and north slopes are snow covered all winter except for windswept ridges above timberline. DEER HUNTING South Park contains good summer range for mule deer even above timberline where alpine willow occurs. Deer can also be found on subalpine slopes with mixed timber, aspen and shrubs in summer and fall. Deer leave the higher elevations in early to mid October and migrate to lower elevations in units 50 and 501 and even outside the South Park area. Deer densities are low in most of the South Park area during late fall and winter. ELK HUNTING Elk occupy all habitats and areas of these GMU units at some time of the year. Densities are low in the open portions of South Park elevation habitats year-round, but especially during the summer when most elk move up to traditional calving and summering areas at higher elevations. During the winter, most elk move to lower elevation winter ranges as snow accumulates on the higher elevations and northern aspects. Because of the relatively mild and dry winters, winter ranges often extend to above 10,000 feet in elevation. Some elk, especially bulls, will use windswept ridges at even higher elevations during the winter. Approximately 40% of GMU 43 can and does serve as winter range in normal winters with some concentration occurring in preferred habitats. During severe winter periods, which are unusual in these GMU units, habitat utilization can be reduced to approximately five percent of the overall range. Radio collar studies over the last 10 years have shown significant migrations of elk from adjacent GMUs outside of this DAU. Recent estimates range from 200 to 300 elk (10% to 15% of the population) entering these GMU units each winter with historical estimates reaching as high as 700 elk (30%). Wintering herds of elk can number 200 to 400 animals with these groups occasionally aggregating into a herd exceeding 1000 elk for short periods of time. The largest herds routinely break up into the smaller 200 to 400 animal groups within a few days as they disperse into different areas of winter range. The groups of 200 to 400 are often short lived, as well, since smaller groups of elk are continuously joining and separating from these herds.","brand":"Spirited Republic","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":36412884582556,"sku":"848722","price":4.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0441\/7850\/5884\/files\/20181009025519_SpiritedRepublic_CO_BigGame_ElkPublicLand_50_preview_0.jpg?v=1723119792","url":"https:\/\/store.avenza.com\/products\/2018-gmu-50-colorado-big-game-elkmule-deer-hunting-map-publicprivate-lands-spirited-republic-map","provider":"Avenza Maps","version":"1.0","type":"link"}