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  3. Elk

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.

GMU 41 - Mesa and Delta Counties

Scores

Scores
User Scores
Ease of Drawing
89
 
89
Success
16
 
16
Trophy Potential
47
 
47
Public Access
62
 
62
Ease of Terrain
84
 
84
Room to Breathe
1
 
1
Opportunity
66
 
66
Convenience
0
 
N/A
Ease of Effort
47
 
47
64
HuntScore

Access Notes

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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.

County

Mesa, Delta

Size

299 Square Miles (191,538 Acres)

Land Ownership

38% Private, 62% Public, 27% USFS, 35% BLM

Latitude/Longitude

39.0231, -108.2649

Wildfires

Check for current or recent wildfires in this area.

Amenities

There are 0 hospitals, 0 hotels, 0 campgrounds, and 0 grocery stores within a 20 mile radius.

Elk Notes

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  • Additional species-specific map layers

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

Elk Management Plan

State Agency Website

Visit Colorado Parks and Wildlife

Other Species in Unit

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

Photos and Terrain Notes


Add a Photo

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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  • Over the counter unit hunts listed with:
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    • Season and Manner of Take Restrictions
    • Season Dates

Elk Drawing Stats (2021)

Total Quota
3,835
Licenses Drawn
3,669
Licenses Surplus
166
Resident Quota
2,341
Nonresident Quota
1,328
Landowner Quota
269
Youth Quota
269
85%
Overall Unit
1st Choice 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 Type Draw Odds HuntScore Notes
EM041O4R
M
R
O4
LL
100%
0
EM041O1R
M
R
O1
LL
100%
0
EM041O1M
M
M
O1
LL
69.2%
0
EF041P5R
F
R
P5
LL
100%
0
EF041O4R
F
R
O4
LL
100%
0
EF041O3R
F
R
O3
LL
100%
0
EF041O2R
F
R
O2
LL
100%
0
EF041O1R
F
R
O1
LL
55.1%
0
EF041O1M
F
M
O1
LL
100%
0
EE041P4R
E
R
P4
LL
100%
0
EE041P1R
E
R
P1
LL
94.3%
0
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 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)

Total Hunters
1,907
Total Harvest
253
Harvest Male
148
Harvest Female
92
13%
Average Success
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
HuntScore Tip: Ever hunt a unit with a 100% success rate and not see any deer? If you're nodding your head to any of these scenarios then you're one of the people who knows that statistics are a good guide, but they aren't a guarantee.

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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  • Snow depth by month
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Gear Recommendations for Elk Hunting From logo

Camping

Alps Master Z Foam Sleeping Mat

Alps Master Z Foam Sleeping Mat

This foldable foam mat from Alps can be used in your tent to keep your comfortable while you're sleeping, or use it for a quick lounge spot in the mountains. Our favorite idea with this mat here at Blackovis is to cut this mat in half and use it as a glassing pad while hunting. And share the other half with you buddy.

Clothing

Badlands Algus Short Sleeve Crew

Badlands Algus Short Sleeve Crew

How's your Latin? Good you say...so you already know that Algus means "cool to the touch." The Algus Short Sleeve Crew Top is the go-to baselayer for those extra warm days. With Badlands' Cool Touch(TM) Technology, the Algus crew will react with your sweat to lower your skin temperature. You better grab a couple because you won't want to take this one off.Features:Lightweight Wicking Base LayerCool Touch(TM) Sweat Activated FabricSilvadur(TM) Antimicrobial Technology For Odor ManagementMoisture Wicking Quick Dry FabricVideo -Badlands Algus Short Sleeve Crew

Food

MTN OPS Biotics - Probiotics & Enzymes

MTN OPS Biotics - Probiotics & Enzymes

BIOTICS is an advanced Pre and Probiotic blend specifically formulated to increase healthy gut bacteria, while decreasing the bad gut bacteria at the same time. Properly balancing these bacterias aids in improved digestive health, stronger gut lining and combating symptoms such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea and irregular stool frequency. Improve your gut health, comfort and overall well-being with BIOTICS.USAGE: For best results take 1 serving (2 capsules) 20-30 min before any meal. Take on a daily consistent basis for best results. 80% of your immune system is stored right in your gut and that is why MTN OPS BIOTICS(TM) is so important for your daily health and wellness.

Footwear

Banded RedZone Elite 2.0 Breathable Insulated Wader

Banded RedZone Elite 2.0 Breathable Insulated Wader

Introducing Banded(R) RedZone ELITE 2.0 Breathable Waders. Years of hunting experience coupled with first-to-market product innovation led us to raise the standard in breathable hunting waders. We forever changed the game with the launch of our line of Banded RedZone(TM) Breathable Waders in 2012. Heralded for superior comfort and trusted for all-conditions performance. Now, through our relentless pursuit of perfection, we've raised the bar even higher. From RedZone(TM) to RedZone(TM) 2.0, we've made the best wader even better. More comfort, more performance, more feature-packed details and more durable than ever. The RedZone(TM) 2.0 line of waders are the most technologically advanced waders in waterfowl. And, it's not even close. Featuring the latest in cutting-edge fabric and seam technologies and improvements from top-to-bottom. You're in for the best wading experience of your life.

Optics

Leupold Compact Aluminum Tripod

Leupold Compact Aluminum Tripod

Small and lightweight enough to pack, tough enough to take anywhere. This semi full-size tripod extends to 53.5 inches, folds to just 20 inches, and weighs only 2.4 pounds. Includes a compact ball head for easy traversing.Key Features:1/4" - 1/2" Socket Mount AdapterMax Length: 53.5 in3 Section LegsAluminum legsBall HeadTwist-lock adjustment

Packs

Badlands Sacrifice LS Backpack

Badlands Sacrifice LS Backpack

Packed and ready for action, the Badlands Sacrifice LS is ready for your adventure. Compared to the previous design, the new Sacrifice LS has an updated Hypervent Frame, Wrapped Frame, and integrated Pistol Holder. This pack has a capacity of about 2100 - 3200 cubic inches making this perfect for multi-day hunts and offers 7 pockets that you can compartmentalize your gear in. If you're a gear freak and always pack WAY more than you need, the Sacrifice LS is the pack for you!Features:Updated Hypervent FrameRifle Boot IncludedPistol HolderMultiple Lash PointsUpdated Wrapped FrameQuick-Release Drawstring PocketEliminated the Squeaking issue w/ previous modelVideo -Badlands Sacrifice LS Backpack

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