Denver ? With four rifle seasons under way this weekend, Colorado Division of Wildlife officials are optimistic the harvest objective of 65,000 elk remains obtainable.

DOW officials throughout the state have seen harvest rates during this year’s primitive season equal to or higher than 2002, when the state’s record harvest of 61,174 elk was set.

Elk numbers remain higher than biologists would like to see in many areas of the state, but — as always — weather will be the major determining factor in harvest rates for the upcoming rifle seasons.

Hot, dry weather makes hunting more difficult since elk will typically stay in pockets of dark timber where they can stay cool and avoid hunters.

The Colorado Wildlife Commission approved a record number of antlerless elk licenses for this season, and there are also many either sex licenses issued.

Those who want to learn from the experts about hunting in Colorado should subscribe to Colorado Outdoors.

A copy of the Colorado Outdoors Hunting Guide is included free with a subscription.

To order call 1-800-417-8986 or go to the DOW Web site at http://.wildlife.state.co.us.