Hunters harvest estimated 43,400 Colo. elk in '11

State wildlife biologists say hunters in Colorado last year harvested about 43,400 elk, down about 9.5% from 2010. Colorado Parks and Wildlife officials said Friday the total is still more than in any other state. Wildlife officials say the lower harvest may be partly because fewer cow elk licenses were available. The success rate for hunters harvesting elk was 21% last year, compared with 22% in 2010. Colorado has an estimated 280,000 elk. Wyoming hasn't posted 2011 figures online yet, but the 10-year average there is about 22,000 elk harvested each year, with success rates for elk hunters averaging around 40%. Hunters harvested an estimated 33,200 deer and 11,700 pronghorn in Colorado last year. Colorado uses surveys to estimate harvest numbers.