Elk Hunting in Colorado GMU 14 - Routt and Grand Counties
Elk are plentiful throughout the Upper Yampa area. Licenses are also readily available, but hunters should not rely on leftover license availability as these herds approach population objective.

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Bounded on N by Little Snake-Elk River divide; on E by Continental Divide; on S by US Highway 40; on W by US Highway 40 and Routt County Road 129.
Most of the land outside of the national forest is private land. Hunting pressure is heavy. Hunters will have better success and enjoy more solitude by walking into remote areas. Mt.
Zirkel Wilderness Areas access is restricted to non-vehicle methods.
Elk Notes
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Elk are plentiful throughout the Upper Yampa area. Licenses are also readily available, but hunters should not rely on leftover license availability as these herds approach population objective. CPW has been working to minimize crop damage and significantly reduce the number of elk in these units. There are good numbers of bull elk, however, do not expect to see many large adult males.
Large elk numbers occur on the Routt National Forest. The basic movement is from the higher to lower elevation in response to hunting pressure and weather. Hunt the timber and hunt the Routt National Forest early. Within the Upper Yampa, private lands access is primarily available on a fee hunting basis.
Domestic sheep grazing typically occurs on parts of the Routt National Forest through the months of August and September. Elk will typically avoid areas actively used by sheep but often are not far away. Hunters can use this knowledge to their advantage. To learn more about sheep management and actively grazed areas, archery and muzzleloader hunters are encouraged to contact the Hahns Peak-Bears Ranger District in Steamboat Springs
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
From a low of 6,300 to 12,000ft along the Continental Divide. The Routt National Forest dominates the eastern 2/3 of the Upper Yampa units with (56%) coniferous forests and (27%) aspen. Mountain shrub and rolling sage cover the low country or about 7 % of the land cover.
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 (2020)
1st Choice Draw Odds
Stats | Apply For | Sex | Manner | Season | Type | Draw Odds | HuntScore |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
EM014O4R |
M
|
R
|
O4
|
LL
|
100%
|
83 | |
EM014O1R |
M
|
R
|
O1
|
LL
|
85.2%
|
83 | |
EF014P5R |
F
|
R
|
P5
|
LL
|
100%
|
87 | |
EF014O4R |
F
|
R
|
O4
|
LL
|
100%
|
87 | |
EF014O3R |
F
|
R
|
O3
|
LL
|
100%
|
87 | |
EF014O2R |
F
|
R
|
O2
|
LL
|
100%
|
84 | |
EF014O1R |
F
|
R
|
O1
|
LL
|
69.4%
|
82 | |
EF014O1M |
F
|
M
|
O1
|
LL
|
100%
|
83 | |
EE014O1M |
E
|
M
|
O1
|
LL
|
95.2%
|
83 |
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Elk Harvest Stats (2019)
Manner | Season | Type | Sex | Hunters | Harvest | Male | Female | Youth |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
A
|
A
|
|
N/A | 1582 | 115 |
98
|
17
|
0
|
ALL
|
ALL
|
|
N/A | 3130 | 313 |
210
|
103
|
0
|
M
|
M
|
|
N/A | 246 | 32 |
21
|
11
|
0
|
R
|
O3
|
|
N/A | 271 | 30 |
13
|
17
|
0
|
R
|
PLO
|
PLO
|
N/A | 55 | 23 |
0
|
23
|
0
|
R
|
P0
|
|
N/A | 55 | 23 |
0
|
23
|
0
|
R
|
O4
|
LL
|
M
|
71 | 9 |
9
|
0
|
0
|
R
|
O4
|
|
N/A | 101 | 14 |
9
|
5
|
0
|
R
|
O4
|
LL
|
F
|
30 | 5 |
0
|
5
|
0
|
R
|
O2
|
LL
|
F
|
130 | 23 |
0
|
23
|
0
|
R
|
O3
|
LL
|
F
|
60 | 17 |
0
|
17
|
0
|
R
|
ALL
|
|
N/A | 55 | 23 |
0
|
23
|
0
|
R
|
O2
|
|
N/A | 670 | 72 |
49
|
23
|
0
|
R
|
O1
|
LL
|
M
|
140 | 20 |
20
|
0
|
0
|
R
|
O1
|
|
N/A | 205 | 27 |
20
|
7
|
0
|
R
|
O1
|
LL
|
F
|
65 | 7 |
0
|
7
|
0
|
R
|
R
|
|
N/A | 1302 | 166 |
91
|
75
|
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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