Elk Hunting in Colorado GMU 60 - Mesa and Montrose Counties
The elk population is healthy, but success is dependent on the weather in Utah. Harvest success is better in the later seasons and away from roads, with animals being found near Carpenter Ridge, Buckeye Reservoir, and John Brown Canyon.

Scores
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Bounded on N and E by Dolores River; on S by County Highway 90; on W by Utah.
The GMU is primarily BLM land.
Elk Notes
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The elk population is healthy, but success is dependent on the weather in Utah. Harvest success is better in the later seasons and away from roads, with animals being found near Carpenter Ridge, Buckeye Reservoir, and John Brown Canyon.
This unit along the Utah line is primarily winter range. Big game migrate in from Utah; harvest success depends on the weather. Because of migration patterns, population estimates for this GMU are not possible.
Chronic wasting disease has been found in deer and elk in Utah
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
Elevations range from 4,500 feet along the Dolores River to 8,600 feet near the Utah line
Elk Over The Counter Hunts (2021)
There are 3 OTC hunts in this unit. Go Pro to view the details!
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- Over the counter unit hunts listed with:
- Residency Requirements
- Season and Manner of Take Restrictions
- Season Dates
Elk Drawing Stats (2021)
1st Choice Draw Odds
Stats | Apply For | Sex | Manner | Season | Type | Draw Odds | HuntScore | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
EF060O1R |
F
|
R
|
O1
|
LL
|
100%
|
75 | ||
EE060P1R |
E
|
R
|
P1
|
LL
|
100%
|
75 | private land only | |
EE060P4R |
E
|
R
|
P4
|
LL
|
100%
|
75 | private land only | |
EF060O1M |
F
|
M
|
O1
|
LL
|
100%
|
76 | ||
EF060P5R |
F
|
R
|
P5
|
LL
|
100%
|
80 | private land only | |
EF060O2R |
F
|
R
|
O2
|
LL
|
100%
|
75 | ||
EF060O3R |
F
|
R
|
O3
|
LL
|
100%
|
77 | ||
EF060O4R |
F
|
R
|
O4
|
LL
|
100%
|
77 | ||
EM060O1M |
M
|
M
|
O1
|
LL
|
100%
|
76 | ||
EM060O1R |
M
|
R
|
O1
|
LL
|
100%
|
79 | ||
EE060O4R |
E
|
R
|
O4
|
LL
|
100%
|
80 |
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 (2020)
Manner | Season | Type | Sex | Hunters | Harvest | Male | Female | Youth |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
A
|
A
|
|
N/A | 51 | 8 |
8
|
0
|
0
|
ALL
|
ALL
|
|
N/A | 375 | 86 |
67
|
15
|
0
|
M
|
M
|
|
N/A | 20 | 2 |
2
|
0
|
0
|
R
|
O3
|
|
N/A | 101 | 34 |
34
|
0
|
0
|
R
|
PLO
|
PLO
|
N/A | 31 | 12 |
0
|
8
|
0
|
R
|
PLO
|
|
N/A | 43 | 12 |
0
|
8
|
0
|
R
|
O4
|
LL
|
E
|
26 | 3 |
0
|
3
|
0
|
R
|
O4
|
LL
|
F
|
3 | 3 |
0
|
3
|
0
|
R
|
O4
|
|
N/A | 38 | 6 |
0
|
6
|
0
|
R
|
O2
|
|
N/A | 82 | 9 |
8
|
1
|
0
|
R
|
O3
|
LL
|
F
|
9 | 0 |
0
|
0
|
0
|
R
|
O2
|
LL
|
F
|
10 | 1 |
0
|
1
|
0
|
R
|
O1
|
|
N/A | 50 | 15 |
15
|
0
|
0
|
R
|
O1
|
LL
|
M
|
44 | 15 |
15
|
0
|
0
|
R
|
O1
|
LL
|
F
|
3 | 0 |
0
|
0
|
0
|
R
|
D
|
R
|
N/A | 2 | 0 |
0
|
0
|
0
|
R
|
R
|
|
N/A | 304 | 76 |
57
|
15
|
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.
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