Elk Hunting in Colorado GMU 41 - Mesa and Delta Counties
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- 10,000ft) in thick timber and oakbrush.

Scores
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Bounded on N by Colorado River and County Highway 65; on E by County Highway 65, Lands End Road, Flowing Park Road and Mesa-Delta County line; on W by US Highway 50.
Hunters should be prepared to spend time on foot or horseback. Much of the area is public land. Overall, the hunting pressure is heavy.
Elk Notes
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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- 10,000ft) 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.
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.
Management Plan
State Agency Website
Visit Colorado Parks and WildlifePhotos and Terrain Notes
Grand Mesa terrain ranges from high elevation (11,000ft) spruce/fir forests to low elevation (4,800ft) piñon-juniper woodlands.
Elk Over The Counter Hunts (2021)
There are 4 OTC hunts in this unit. Go Pro to view the details!
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Elk Drawing Stats (2021)
1st Choice Draw Odds
Stats | Apply For | Sex | Manner | Season | Type | Draw Odds | HuntScore | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
EF041O2R |
F
|
R
|
O2
|
LL
|
100%
|
79 | ||
EE041P4R |
E
|
R
|
P4
|
LL
|
100%
|
73 | Permit Type A; License Valid for Units: 41, 42, 52, 411, 421, 521; | |
EF041O1M |
F
|
M
|
O1
|
LL
|
100%
|
75 | Permit Type B; License Valid for Units: 41, 42, 52, 411, 421; | |
EF041O1R |
F
|
R
|
O1
|
LL
|
55.1%
|
69 | Permit Type B; License Valid for Units: 41, 42, 52, 411, 421; | |
EM041O1M |
M
|
M
|
O1
|
LL
|
69.2%
|
72 | Permit Type A; License Valid for Units: 41, 42, 52, 411, 421, 521; | |
EF041O3R |
F
|
R
|
O3
|
LL
|
100%
|
79 | ||
EF041O4R |
F
|
R
|
O4
|
LL
|
100%
|
79 | ||
EF041P5R |
F
|
R
|
P5
|
LL
|
100%
|
79 | ||
EM041O1R |
M
|
R
|
O1
|
LL
|
100%
|
73 | Permit Type A; License Valid for Units: 41, 42, 52, 411, 421, 521; | |
EM041O4R |
M
|
R
|
O4
|
LL
|
100%
|
74 | Permit Type A; License Valid for Units: 41, 42, 52, 411, 421, 521; | |
EE041P1R |
E
|
R
|
P1
|
LL
|
94.3%
|
73 | Permit Type A; License Valid for Units: 41, 42, 52, 411, 421, 521; |
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Elk Harvest Stats (2020)
Manner | Season | Type | Sex | Hunters | Harvest | Male | Female | Youth |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
A
|
A
|
|
N/A | 396 | 36 |
18
|
11
|
0
|
ALL
|
ALL
|
|
N/A | 1907 | 253 |
148
|
92
|
0
|
M
|
M
|
|
N/A | 122 | 26 |
26
|
0
|
0
|
R
|
O3
|
|
N/A | 278 | 59 |
29
|
30
|
0
|
R
|
PLO
|
PLO
|
N/A | 179 | 6 |
0
|
6
|
0
|
R
|
PLO
|
|
N/A | 252 | 30 |
20
|
10
|
0
|
R
|
O4
|
LL
|
F
|
50 | 15 |
0
|
15
|
0
|
R
|
O4
|
LL
|
M
|
86 | 0 |
0
|
0
|
0
|
R
|
O4
|
|
N/A | 158 | 19 |
4
|
15
|
0
|
R
|
O2
|
|
N/A | 436 | 66 |
34
|
26
|
0
|
R
|
O3
|
LL
|
F
|
778 | 30 |
0
|
30
|
0
|
R
|
O2
|
LL
|
F
|
150 | 32 |
0
|
26
|
0
|
R
|
O1
|
|
N/A | 336 | 41 |
37
|
4
|
0
|
R
|
O1
|
LL
|
M
|
249 | 21 |
21
|
0
|
0
|
R
|
O1
|
LL
|
F
|
36 | 0 |
0
|
0
|
0
|
R
|
D
|
R
|
N/A | 2 | 0 |
0
|
0
|
0
|
R
|
R
|
|
N/A | 1389 | 191 |
104
|
81
|
0
|
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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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