HUNT MEEKER
NW Colorado hunting unit descriptions
GREEN RIVER
GMU 1, 2, 10, 201
LOCAL DOW OFFICE
Meeker DOW
(970) 878-6090
Dinosaur National Park is closed to all hunting
In this area, 9,700' Diamond Mountain is the highest point, dropping to 5,100' elevation at the White River. Sage and sage-grassland dominate, with the typical vegetation groups as the elevation increases. Weather is generally mild through the later seasons, though the higher elevations can have significant snow accumulations. Public land accounts for 90 percent of GMU 201. GMU 2 is a 'checkerboard' of public and private land, and GMU 10 is mostly BLM land with a lot of scattered private land. Consult a map and be aware of where you are. GMU 1 has poor access into the rough, rocky terrain and into the wilderness area. You must draw a license to hunt the Green River units, and it takes many years of preference points. Hence, the hunting pressure is light.
An agreement with a private landowner and the State Land Board opens several thousand acres in GMU 201 for public hunting access. See the Craig Chamber of Commerce or the DOW office in Meeker for details.
Deer: Deer are scattered throughout GMUs 2,10 and 201. If there is any winter range migration, it is usually during third season, depending on the weather. Deer in GMU 1 tend to stay at the south and north ends of Brown's Park Refuge. The average good buck in GMUs 2, 201 measures 24-26". There are trophy bucks in GMU 10 (Blue Mountain) - however they tend to have tall vs. wide antlers. Hunt the bush-covered areas, high elevations early in the season, lower elevations later.
ELK: The elk herd size is increasing. Three hundred-plus size bulls are common. The elk tend to stay put over the seasons; any movement in GMU 10 is weather dependent. Overall, elk are scattered in GMUs 2, 10, 201, and the northern portion of GMU 1. We recommend Blue Mountain and Moosehead Mountain (hot spot) in GMU 10. The average good bull in this unit is 300-340, a trophy up to 370. When hunting GMUs 2 or 201 - hold out for a good bull. The average size is around 305. The SW corner of GMU 2 is the best. In GMU 1, try Hoy Draw and Chokecherry Draw.
LOWER YAMPA
GMU 3, 11, 211, 301
LOCAL DOW OFFICE
Meeker DOW
(970) 878-6090
The Lower Yampa units lie south of Wyoming, bordered by the White River and the Little Snake River. The lower elevations of 6,000' consist of sage and sage steepe. Pinyon and juniper cover the upper elevations up to 8,500'. The temperature usually remains mild throughout the hunting seasons. Expect zero to light snow cover in first and second seasons. The later seasons may bring moderate snow and a potential for near zero temperatures. Unfortunately, if the weather is mild, deer and elk will not be present in high numbers until the later seasons. Overall access is easy and four-wheel drive is not necessary in most areas. Hunting pressure is heavy. Outside of GMU 301, 70 percent of the Lower Yampa is public land.
DEER: The herd size is increasing. The mid-range elevation with mountain shrub and pinyon-juniper breaks generally hold the most deer, especially during the regular rifle seasons. Movement occurs with weather and hunting pressure. We recommend Bitterbrush SWA and Axial Basin CRM. Public land hunting is typically better in the later seasons. The better buck hunting is on private land with a moderate to high chance for trophy buck.
ELK: The large elk herd occupies all available habitat. The later seasons are usually better, especially on public land, due to snow and hunting pressure pushing the elk out of the adjacent units. The success rate is very good on late cow elk hunts. Axial Basin CRM is a hot spot for hunting. The best bull hunting will be on private lands.
Note: As elk numbers are brought closer to population objective, license numbers will decrease. If you hunt these units and have relied on "leftover" or "over the counter" licenses in the past, you should consider applying in the drawing to assure license availability in future years.
UPPER YAMPA
GMU 4, 5, 13, 14, 15, 131, 214, 441
LOCAL DOW OFFICE
Meeker DOW (GMU 4 and 5) (970) 878-6090
Steamboat DOW (others) (970) 870-2197
From a low of 6,300', the elevation soars to 12,000' along the Continental Divide. The Routt National Forest dominates the eastern 2/3 of the Upper Yampa units with coniferous forests and aspen. Mountain shrub and rolling sage cover the low country. Expect light to moderate snow in the first season, gradually increasing through the fourth season. Four-wheel drive is usually necessary on the secondary roads. Hunting pressure is heavy. Hunters will have better success and enjoy more solitude by walking into remote areas. Hunting pressure may create refuge situations onto the private lands in GMUs 13, 131, 214 and 441. Mt. Zirkel Wilderness area is in GMU 14 and access is restricted to non-vehicle methods. Public hunting in GMU 13 is limited to a few small parcels of BLM land and some State Trust Land parcels.
DEER: The deer herd continues to grow, and the hunting should be good. Most of the deer will be found in the western section of these units. Movement is also to the west. Hot spots are located north of Hayden. We are seeing some good trophy bucks in the southern portion. In GMUs 4 and 5, the buck hunting has shown steady improvement. This area is not managed for trophy bucks, but it does have a good number of adult males in the population. Hunt the aspen and brush areas.
ELK: Elk are plentiful throughout the Upper Yampa area. Licenses are also readily available, but hunters should see the note below. The DOW has been working to minimize crop damage and significantly reduce the number of elk in these units. There are good numbers of bull elk, however, do not expect to see many large adult males. Large elk numbers occur on the Routt National Forest. The basic movement is from the higher to lower elevation in response to hunting pressure and weather. Hunt the timber and hunt the Routt National Forest early. In GMUs 4 and 5, private land access is only available on a fee-hunting basis.
Note: As elk numbers are brought closer to population objective, license numbers will decrease. If you hunt these units and have relied on "leftover" or "over the counter" licenses in the past, you should consider applying in the drawing to assure license availability in future years.
NORTH PARK
GMU 6, 16, 17, 161, 171
LOCAL DOW OFFICE
Steamboat Springs DOW
(970) 870-2197
North Park borders Wyoming and lies between the Continental Divide and the Medicine Bow Mountains. The valley floor at 7,880' supports agricultural lands and sagebrush. Extensive willow stands line the streams - a favorite moose habitat. The forest surrounding the basin varies from aspen/lodgepole to spruce/fir. Alpine occurs above 10,500', peaking at 12,970'.
The area is generally windy and colder than many places in western Colorado. Prepare for snow during your hunt. Four-wheel drive is helpful, as are chains. More than two-thirds of North Park is public land. Mt. Zirkel (west) and Never Summer (southeast) are the Wilderness Areas. Access to all State Trust Lands and the
Wilderness Areas is nonmotorized. Big game can move onto private lands with no public access. Please study a map and know the boundaries.
DEER: There are about 7,000 deer in the North Park units. If you are a patient hunter, you could have success hunting trophy bucks. Deer are dispersed throughout the aspen forests and tend to move north with the seasons. Second season is the best time for hunting deer, particularly on Independence Mountain. Other good areas are Sand Dunes, Sheep Mountain, Delany Butte, Mexican Ridge and Owl Mountain info.
ELK: Elk are distributed evenly throughout these units. During the day, the bulls will be in dark timber - glass in the early morning and evening. The herd tends to stay in the coniferous timbered areas until late in the season, moving to lower elevations with snow and hunting pressure.
BOOKCLIFFS/PICEANCE
GMU 21, 22, 30, 31, 32
LOCAL DOW OFFICES
Meeker DOW (GMU 21, 22) (970) 878-6090
Grand Junction DOW (GMU 30, 31, 32) (970) 255-6100
Pinyon-juniper woodlands with pockets of sagebrush areas cover most of this area. The terrain varies from open rolling sagebrush areas to steep-sided canyonlike country. Seventy-five percent of this area is BLM lands (access is restricted in wilderness study areas). There are some excellent remote hunting areas accessible by foot, horseback or ATVs. Get maps and study BLM access points. Some areas are very steep and rugged, especially in the southern portion, making it difficult to retrieve downed game. Weather is generally mild. Rains bring muddy roads. At high elevations, typical 3rd season snows make roads impassible without chains.
DEER: The hunting ranges from fair to good in the Bookcliff and Piceance units. Deer are well distributed in the northern portion from mid-October. Concentrate on higher elevations in early seasons. If the weather is dry, you'll need to do a lot of walking and looking. Good snows will move the herds to the south. Spend a lot of time glassing. Hunt high early; low later in this unit. Cathedral Rim has some big bucks, but you need to hunt hard. Little Hills and Dry Fork of Piceance is better late.
ELK: There are good cow hunting opportunities. The best hunting is in remote areas, mostly at high elevations, where the elk tend to hold up in pockets of green timber and aspen. Check out the Texas Mountain area and Ratt Hole Ridge. Hunting pressure will push some bulls into the large expanses of pinyon-juniper. If snow and hunting pressure are sufficient, some elk will move into the Little Hills and Dry Fork area of Piceance later in the seasons. Most of the GMU 32 elk move into GMU 22 to winter. The elk start out in the higher elevations, moving to the pinyon-juniper at lower elevations. The good bulls will head for heavy pinyon-juniper cover after they've been hunted, making them difficult to hunt.
Note: Intensive energy development is occurring in these units. Some lands that have been open to hunting in the past may no longer be open. Hunters should consult updated BLM and county land use maps. As of the date of this publication, DOW officials are negotiating with several energy companies to obtain hunting leases.
WHITE RIVER
GMU 12, 23, 24, 25, 26, 33, 34, 231
LOCAL DOW OFFICES
Glenwood Springs DOW (GMU 25 and 34) (970) 947-2920
Meeker DOW (GMU 12, 23, 24, 26, 231) (970) 878-6090
Grand Junction DOW (GMU 33) (970) 255-6100
White River offers variety and extremes. Several peaks in the Flattop Wilderness are 12,200' in elevation. Elevation drops to 5,300' near Rifle. The lower elevation vegetation starts out with sage, progressing to oakbrush/mountain brush, aspen, evergreens and alpine tundra. Expect mild weather with light snow in the 1st season, with roads becoming impassable in the upper half of the area by the 3rd season. The high country in GMU 24 is prone to heavy snowstorms in late seasons. Heavy snowstorms can strand hunters on Flat Tops after first season. While there is a great deal of public land, hunting pressure is heavy especially in northern half of
GMUs 23 and 24. Four-wheel drive is necessary on all but the few main paved roads. Half of the area is roadless - which makes for very good hunting if you can walk or pack in. You may encounter heavy ATV traffic in GMUs 12, 23 and 33. Hunters in GMU 25 and 26 can gain access using Forest Service Road 610 (Stump Park Rd) or USFS Road 613 (Crescent Lake Rd).
DEER: The deer are scattered and will move in response to hunting pressure and weather. On public land, GMU 12 is better early. GMU 23 offers Hay Flats and Miller Creek southwest of Meeker and the Jensen and Oak Creek State Wildlife Areas that can be good for deer hunting. GMU 24 is a popular early season elk unit and is heavily hunted for elk, but deer can be found on private land along the White River and in the Sleepy Cat and Sand Peak areas.
ELK: Generally all of GMU 12 and 24 are considered very good elk hunting. The elk are generally up at higher elevations in the eastern portions of GMU 12 during the early seasons, and then move west to lower elevations (and private lands) as hunting pressure and snow depth increases. Try the abundant public lands in the eastern GMU 12 early on. The chance for a trophy bull is low due to unlimited bull elk licenses. Because of access roads, hunting pressure is high on Sleepy Cat, Lost Park and Sand Peak. The Flattops Wilderness Area offers good hunting, but travel is limited to walking or horseback and the potential for heavy snowfall means hunters must be prepared. Successful hunters avoid the main roads and hunt the dark timber and deeper canyons.
Note: A limited number of second, third and fourth season cow elk licenses are sold 'over-the-counter' for GMU 25 and 26.
EAGLE RIVER VALLEY
GMU 35, 36, 44, 45
LOCAL DOW OFFICE
Glenwood Springs DOW
(970) 947-2920
The Colorado River, the Gore Range, the Red Table Mountains and the Continental Divide border the Eagle River Valley units. Elevation climbs from 6,000' with sagebrush and pinyon to more than 14,000' with alpine vegetation starting at 10,500'. Weather can vary tremendously with high country snow exceeding several feet.
Much of the public land is open to off road travel. GMUs 35 and 44 have the most public access, however the northern portion of GMU 44 between Edwards and Eagle is primarily private property with no hunting allowed. Check your map and contact the BLM/USFS office because there are some wilderness areas and a BLM wilderness study area that are off limits to vehicles. Hunting pressure is locally heavy, especially around Muddy Pass Road in GMU 36 and Horse Mountain Road in GMU 35 since they are main roads for public land hunters.
DEER: Deer hunting in these units continues to improve. The herd will be scattered from 6,500' to timberline and will move down to the lower elevation pinyon-juniper areas as heavy snow arrives. Over 18" of snow will move the deer to the pinyon-juniper areas. Try hunting the aspen, open parks and shrublands. GMUs 35 and 36 have the most deer. After the first heavy snow, most GMU 45 deer will move into GMU 36. GMU 44 is managed for trophy deer with limited number of licenses, but it is a good place to take a big buck.
ELK: Elk are scattered from about 7,000' to above timberline. As hunting pressure increases, they seek the deeper canyons and dark timber areas way from roads. Concentrating on the large stands of dark timber and the larger wilderness areas will increase your chance of finding a big bull on public lands. Unfortunately, the large blocks of private land in GMUs 35 and 36 provide refuge areas and can make hunting difficult.
Note: There are moose in GMU 36 and 45. Be sure of your target.
MIDDLE PARK
GMU 18, 27, 28, 37, 181, 371
LOCAL DOW OFFICE
Hot Sulphur Springs DOW
(970) 725-6200
The Continental Divide and the Gore Range Divide encircle Middle Park. Most of this terrain is steep to very steep. The weather can change rapidly with higher elevations receiving more precipitation. Areas can become snowbound. Four-wheel drive is recommended, along with chains. Sagebrush/shrubs are common on southern exposures at lower elevations. The valley bottoms are mostly private lands. We suggest you seek private land permission early, as much of the land is leased. The remaining two-thirds of this area is public land; GMU 27 has less public land than the other GMUs. Hunters in GMU 28 should be aware of a large beetle killed timber salvage project in the Williams Fork and Beaver Creek areas that could impact hunting. Check USFS maps for ATV closures/restrictions. Hunters around Wolford Mountain (GMU 181 and 27) should be aware that a new travel management plan is in effect. Horses/pack animals are recommended for remote tracts and for Wilderness Areas. The better hunting will be at least one-half mile away from roads. There are pockets where hunters overconcentrate. Due to the proximity to Denver, there are many weekend hunters and recreationalists (bikers, hikers, ATVers).
DEER: All the GMUs have good numbers of deer. The buck to doe ratios continue to increase to the high 30s as a result of limited buck hunting and mild winters. All units are managed for quality buck hunting. There are good numbers of mature bucks, but they rarely reach the trophy status found in the lower elevation mountain-shrub and mild-winter areas. Concentrate on the transition zones that have aspen, shrubs and coniferous cover in close proximity. Deer tend to move westerly and down in elevation over the seasons, snow will move them faster and farther. They typically migrate out of GMU 371 with average snowfall. Middle Park has a limited number of fourth season deer licenses available.
ELK: Elk are well distributed in all units. Bull to cow ratios are good because the area is fairly steep and heavily timbered. Generally, trophy bulls are rare (a few are taken every year) because bulls are managed for hunter opportunity. With hunting pressure and snow, elk head for the inaccessible timber and private property. GMU 27 has a lot of private land. Hunt the rough terrain and heavy cover away from roads and trails to increase your success.
Note: Rocky Mountain National Park is closed to all hunting. There are moose in this area - be sure of your target.
GLADE PARK
GMU 40
LOCAL DOW OFFICE
Grand Junction DOW
(970) 255-6100
This 750 square mile unit consists of a relatively flat summit leading to sloping mesas bisected by deep, rugged canyons. The highest elevation range is approximately 9,800'. Roads provide access to the mesas, but many of the canyons are remote and accessible only by foot or horseback. Weather starts out mild but mud/snow accumulation is likely in later seasons. Early season hunters should favor higher elevations of the USFS land, while later season hunters will do better on the lower BLM lands. Hunters can find many water holes within the dark timber stands on north facing slopes. Elk and deer frequent these areas during warm temperatures and heavy hunting pressure. GMU 40 has a lot of private land, and public access to BLM is often difficult to reach by vehicle.
DEER: There are some good bucks in GMU 40, but they are difficult to locate. The upper end of the Little Dolores drainage is a great place to find quality mule deer bucks, however there is considerable private land in this area. Late season hunters may have success north of Seiber Canyon to the Colorado River, but it is foot or horseback only in that area. Areas along the Utah border can be good during the rifle seasons, however hunters need to be aware of public land boundaries and aware of the state line.
ELK: Bulls will be bugling from mid September through first rifle opening weekend. Elk are widely distributed. Most stay high until hunting pressure pushes them to lower elevations and less accessible drainages. Do not hunt areas that have previously received heavy hunting pressure - the elk will not be there. During the rifle seasons, elk hunters can expect to see animals concentrating near Black Pine Reservoir, especially during severe weather events. The more successful hunters do a lot of walking and looking.
Note: No hunting is allowed in the Colorado National Monument. You can not hunt elk in GMU 40 with an unlimited bull elk license. GMU 40 is a limited unit. You must apply in the draw.
GRAND MESA
GMU 41, 42, 421
LOCAL DOW OFFICE
Grand Junction DOW
(970) 255-6100
The Grand Mesa has a wide variety of terrain ranging from high elevation (11,000') spruce/fir forests to low elevation (4,800') pinyon-juniper woodlands. Weather can be rainy or snowy, then warm up and dry out the following day. Roads can become very muddy and four-wheel drive is recommended. There is not a lot of road access in GMU 42. Hunters should be prepared to spend time on foot or horseback. Much of the area is public land. Overall, the hunting pressure is heavy.
DEER: Deer hunting is good with the numbers increasing. Deer are found on forestlands and higher elevation private lands during Oct. The resident deer stay in lower agricultural areas year round. The migrating deer herd begins to move off the forest in mid-November to lower elevations, often to BLM lands. The best deer hunting is at mid elevations (8,500-9,500'), with more buck opportunities in the later seasons. The number of trophy bucks continues to increase. The Battlements can be good in late seasons, but the terrain is rugged. The open country offers good opportunities for those who get out on foot or horseback. Off route ATV/OHV travel to retrieve downed game is prohibited in the Grand Mesa and most other National Forests in northwest Colorado. Check land-use agency's travel management plans for specific regulations.
ELK: The elk herd is well distributed with good hunting success expected. Elk are scattered throughout the forest and on private lands. Most elk stay at higher elevations (8500- 10,000') in thick timber and oakbrush. There is no migration during the season; movement to the more remote areas is in response to hunting pressure. They will seek classic cover - the heavily wooded, north-facing slopes near water. You will need to get away from the roads. There are lots of legal bulls as the area is managed for quantity of bulls rather than trophy status. Hence, trophy bulls are present but relatively rare.
Note: There are moose in this area. Be sure of your target.
ROARING FORK
GMU 43, 47, 444, 471
LOCAL DOW OFFICE
Glenwood Springs DOW
(970) 947-2920
This area encompasses the Roaring Fork, Frying Pan and Crystal River drainages. The lower elevations (6500') are primarily developed or agricultural. Timberline is around 11,500' and there are 14,000' peaks in the Wilderness Areas. Be prepared for daytime highs of 75F dropping to 20F at night. Snow can exceed several feet in the higher elevations and moisture can make roads dangerous or impassible. Four-wheel drive then becomes a necessity. About 40 percent of the area is wilderness (Hunter-Frying Pan, Maroon Bells, Raggeds, Collegiate Peaks) and vehicles are not allowed. These rugged areas offer increased hunting success, but require horseback/pack-in camps. Hunting pressure is moderate. There are large blocks of private lands in GMU 43 east of Hwy 133 and in the west portion of GMU 444.
DEER: Deer populations have rebounded in recent years and hunters are doing well in these units. The herd size is stable right now, but buck-doe ratios have decreased in some of these areas in recent years. This herd is concentrated in aspen and oakbrush habitats before the snow flies. Hunting pressure does not generally cause herd movement, but they will move as snow accumulates, when this happens hunters should move with the deer to the lower elevation woodlands. Archery and muzzleloader hunters should head to timberline. Early rifle season hunters could try places like Williams Hill and Light Hill. Later season hunters could try "The Crown", Sopris Creek, Thompson Creek and Holgate Mesa, which produce some good bucks. For a chance at a better than average buck, hunt the west end of GMU 47. Generally, success is better the further away from roads.
ELK: Early seasons find elk anywhere from 7500' to above timberline. With increased hunting pressure and snow, herds tend to move to remote areas or private lands - away from roads and hunters. The wilderness areas are a good bet for success but hunters must hike or horseback in as motorized travel is prohibited. Try Snowmass Creek, Conundrum Creek, Capitol Creek, Avalanche Creek, Maroon Creek, Thompson Creek, Basalt Mountain, Four-mile, the Marble area, and the upper Frying Pan drainages. Kobey Park and Sloans Peak are good but deep snow and bad roads should be expected, especially later in the seasons. Some great opportunities for private land cow hunting exist in GMU43, if you can get permission.