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.
Scores
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.
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 WildlifePhotos and Terrain Notes
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 (2020)
1st Choice Draw Odds
| Stats | Apply For | Sex | Manner | Season | Type | Draw Odds | HuntScore |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EF070O1M |
F
|
M
|
O1
|
LL
|
100%
|
75 | |
| EE070O1M |
E
|
M
|
O1
|
LL
|
34.7%
|
70 | |
| EE070O4R |
E
|
R
|
O4
|
LL
|
29.9%
|
62 | |
| EE070P1A |
E
|
A
|
P1
|
LL
|
100%
|
78 | |
| EE070P1R |
E
|
R
|
P1
|
LL
|
100%
|
77 | |
| EE070P4R |
E
|
R
|
P4
|
LL
|
100%
|
74 | |
| EF070O1A |
F
|
A
|
O1
|
LL
|
100%
|
78 | |
| EF070P2R |
F
|
R
|
P2
|
LL
|
84.5%
|
79 | |
| EF070O2R |
F
|
R
|
O2
|
LL
|
71.4%
|
77 | |
| EF070O3R |
F
|
R
|
O3
|
LL
|
82.6%
|
77 | |
| EF070O4R |
F
|
R
|
O4
|
LL
|
100%
|
75 | |
| EF070P3R |
F
|
R
|
P3
|
LL
|
84.5%
|
73 | |
| EF070P4R |
F
|
R
|
P4
|
LL
|
84.5%
|
73 | |
| EF070P5R |
F
|
R
|
P5
|
LL
|
39.2%
|
76 | |
| EM070O1A |
M
|
A
|
O1
|
LL
|
100%
|
73 | |
| EE070O1R |
E
|
R
|
O1
|
LL
|
42.6%
|
74 |
Go Pro and get:
- Drawing trends across multiple years
- Individual hunt quotas
- 1st choice license applications and licenses drawn
- Draw odds for resident and nonresident applicants
- Minimum preference points to draw
- Point creep plots
Elk Harvest Stats (2019)
| Manner | Season | Type | Sex | Hunters | Harvest | Male | Female | Youth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
A
|
A
|
N/A
|
N/A | 886 | 143 |
89
|
54
|
0
|
|
ALL
|
ALL
|
N/A
|
N/A | 3798 | 874 |
491
|
358
|
0
|
|
M
|
M
|
N/A
|
N/A | 197 | 57 |
34
|
19
|
0
|
|
R
|
O3
|
LL
|
F
|
186 | 35 |
0
|
28
|
0
|
|
R
|
PLO
|
PLO
|
N/A | 102 | 42 |
0
|
38
|
0
|
|
R
|
P0
|
N/A
|
N/A | 534 | 230 |
67
|
149
|
0
|
|
R
|
O4
|
LL
|
F
|
75 | 13 |
0
|
13
|
0
|
|
R
|
O4
|
N/A
|
N/A | 196 | 53 |
16
|
37
|
0
|
|
R
|
O4
|
LL
|
E
|
37 | 12 |
5
|
7
|
0
|
|
R
|
O2
|
LL
|
F
|
161 | 24 |
0
|
24
|
0
|
|
R
|
O3
|
N/A
|
N/A | 991 | 183 |
114
|
57
|
0
|
|
R
|
O2
|
N/A
|
N/A | 884 | 200 |
142
|
53
|
0
|
|
R
|
O1
|
N/A
|
N/A | 541 | 196 |
96
|
100
|
0
|
|
R
|
O1
|
LL
|
E
|
389 | 104 |
40
|
64
|
0
|
|
R
|
D
|
R
|
N/A | 1 | 0 |
0
|
0
|
0
|
|
R
|
ALL
|
N/A
|
N/A | 102 | 42 |
0
|
38
|
0
|
|
R
|
R
|
N/A
|
N/A | 2715 | 674 |
368
|
285
|
0
|
Go Pro and get:
- Harvest trends across multiple years
- Harvest stats by hunt_code, manner, season, sex, type
- Average harvest rates
- Average days per hunter
- Overall harvest trends
Weather Insights
Weather can vary by elevation. See how weather varies by elevation within a unit by selecting an elevation range. Elevation ranges are based on weather stations in or near the unit. Not all weather elements are available within the unit.
Average Temps
Use temperature ranges to plan and prepare for your hunt. Large swings indicate a good layering system should be used. Be sure to make note of the extreme temperatures as these often pose the greatest risk to hunters. If you plan on hunting in higher elevation, as a rule of thumb, expect the tempture to decrease roughly 5° for every 1000' in elevation gain.
