Denver ? Hunters across most of Colorado seemed to have had above-average success during the first rifle elk season.

Larger, more mature animals are being taken that had an extra year to grow because of the low harvest last year.

Over much of the Western Slope, Division of Wildlife officers and biologists report hunting in the first season appears to have been very good.

Near Craig and Meeker and in the Bears Ears Peaks and White River National Forest areas, hunting pressure was about the same or above average. Road conditions are good, making access easier for hunters

In the Craig area, wildlife officers say this might have been the best opening elk season ever.

In Glenwood Springs, “Things are looking good for the first season,” said area wildlife manager Pat Tucker. “We’ve been checking quite a few animals in camps, and hunters are reporting seeing a lot of animals and a lot of bulls. Our office has been extremely busy, and we’re selling out of quite a few licenses.”

In the Grand Mesa, Rifle and Book Cliffs area north of Grand Junction, hunters also have met with success.

“Hunters are finding elk scattered through all elevations except very low desert country,” said Van Graham, the Division of Wildlife’s area terrestrial biologist.

For the combined elk-deer season, which started on Oct. 19, hunters there have been reporting seeing good numbers of mule deer, including nice bucks, at all elevations except the low country.

From Pueblo west to the Sangre de Cristo and Wet mountains and south to La Veta, the Spanish Peaks, the Upper Purgatoire River and Trinidad, the elk harvest is slightly higher than last year, despite unseasonably warm weather.