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Elk Hunting in Colorado GMU 70 - Dolores, Montrose, and San Miguel Counties

The elk population is holding steady and herds are at objective levels. You'll find them distributed widely throughout the eastern portion of the unit. Elk will move quickly into thick aspen, evergreens and rugged terrain with hunting pressure.

GMU 70 - Dolores, Montrose, and San Miguel Counties

Scores

Ease of Drawing
88
 
88
Success
40
 
40
Trophy Potential
46
 
46
Public Access
68
 
68
Ease of Terrain
35
 
35
Room to Breathe
90
 
90
Opportunity
80
 
80
Convenience
37
 
37
Ease of Effort
60
 
60
80
HuntScore

Access Notes

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Bounded on N by County Highway 90, Dolores River, San Miguel River, and County Highway 62; on E by Ouray-San Miguel County line and San Miguel-San Juan County line; on S by San Miguel-Dolores County line, Disappointment Creek, Dolores River and Summit Canyon Creek; on W by Utah.

There is good vehicle access in these areas. Consequently, hunting pressure is heavy on public lands.

County

Dolores, Montrose, San Miguel

Size

1,511 Square Miles (967,243 Acres)

Land Ownership

31% Private, 69% Public, 25% USFS, 41% BLM, 2% State, 1% NPS

Latitude/Longitude

38.0806, -108.3965

Wildfires

Check for current or recent wildfires in this area.

Amenities

There are 2 hospitals, 12 hotels, 2 campgrounds, and 2 grocery stores within a 20 mile radius.

Elk Notes

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The elk population is holding steady and herds are at objective levels. You'll find them distributed widely throughout the eastern portion of the unit. Elk will move quickly into thick aspen, evergreens and rugged terrain with hunting pressure. Hunt the edges of timbered areas slowly at first light and at sundown when elk are most active.

The opportunity to see a mature bull is only fair. There are many young bulls in this unit, so be careful not to shoot a spike. Hunt away from roads and OHV trails for the best chance of success.

HuntScore Tip

Public land and private land percentages can sometime be misleading. A unit may have 80% public land, but a particluar species may only occupy 20% on the entire area. And that 20% species distribution may lie 100% within private lands. Does that sound confusing? Just remember that there are always exceptions to the rule, and land ownership is just one piece of the puzzle.

State Agency Website

Visit Colorado Parks and Wildlife

Other Species in Unit

Deer, Pronghorn, Black Bear, Mountain Lion, Turkey,

Photos and Terrain Notes


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With altitudes from about 5,000 feet to more than 12,000 feet, the vegetation ranges from desert shrubs and piñon/juniper to alpine tundra. Weather can change quickly so be prepared for all conditions. Most of unit 72 and the western sections of 70 and 711 is desert terrain and not productive for elk.

Elk Drawing Stats (2018)

Total Quota
1,955
Licenses Drawn
1,688
Licenses Surplus
267
Resident Quota
932
Nonresident Quota
756
Landowner Quota
0
Youth Quota
167
85.4%
Average Draw Odds
Choose a hunt below to take a deeper dive into quotas, drawing odds, drawing trends, and harvest data.
Stats Apply For Sex Manner Season
EF070O1M
F
M
O1
EF070P2R
F
R
P2
EF070O4R
F
R
O4
EF070O3R
F
R
O3
EF070O2R
F
R
O2
EE070O1M
E
M
O1
EF070L1R
F
R
L1
EE070P4R
E
R
P4
EE070P1R
E
R
P1
EE070O4R
E
R
O4
EE070O1R
E
R
O1
EF070P5R
F
R
P5
HuntScore Tip: Nonresident allocations are determined by the average number of preference points a Colorado resident needs to draw a specific license during a 3-year period. For hunt codes that require six or more points for a Colorado resident to draw an elk or deer license, up to 20 percent of licenses may go to nonresidents. For elk and deer hunt codes that require fewer than six points for a Colorado resident to draw, up to 35 percent may go to nonresidents.

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  • Drawing and harvest trends across multiple years
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  • Harvest by sex and manner (and season where applicable)
  • Average success odds
  • Days per hunter
  • Drawing and harvest tips

Elk Harvest Stats (2017)

Total Hunters
9,638
Total Harvest
2,277
Harvest Male
1,078
Harvest Female
1,089
23.6%
Average Success
Manner Season Hunters Harvest
R
Any
3278 745
R
L0
182 47
R
P0
844 327
R
O1
552 274
R
O2
1089 238
R
O3
1072 122
R
O4
383 64
A
O1
701 119
M
O1
245 72
R
O2
299 41
R
O3
228 23
R
O4
188 17
R
O1
363 133
R
O4
32 8
R
LP
135 36
R
L0
47 11
HuntScore Tip: Hunters who have GPS units are encouraged to mark the location of their harvest in the field. This is especially important for hunters who harvest a bear or moose. During mandatory inspections, hunters will be asked to give a location of their harvest. Having GPS coordinates makes reporting simple and precise.