Elk Hunting in Colorado GMU 37 - Summit and Grand Counties
Elk are well distributed in all Middle Park units. Bull to cow ratios are good because the area is fairly steep and heavily timbered. Generally, trophy bulls are rare (a few are taken every year) because bulls are managed for hunter opportunity.

Scores
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Bounded on N by Colorado River; on E by Barger Gulch, Williams Fork River-Blue River divide, Williams Fork River-Straight Creek divide and Continental Divide; on S by Continental Divide; on W by Eagle River-TeNew Mexicoile Creek divide, I-70, Blue River, Cataract Creek and Gore Range Divide.
Elk Notes
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Elk are well distributed in all Middle Park units. Bull to cow ratios are good because the area is fairly steep and heavily timbered. Generally, trophy bulls are rare (a few are taken every year) because bulls are managed for hunter opportunity. With hunting pressure and snow, elk head for the inaccessible timber and private property.
Hunt the rough terrain and heavy cover away from roads and trails to increase your 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.
Management Plan
State Agency Website
Visit Colorado Parks and WildlifePhotos and Terrain Notes
The Continental Divide and the Gore Range Divide encircle Middle Park. Most of this terrain is steep to very steep. Sagebrush/shrubs are common on southern exposures at lower elevations. The past decadefts mountain pine beetle killed an estimated 80 percent of mature lodgepole pine trees in Grand County, creating numerous hazards along public roadways as these trees begin to fall.
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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
EF028P5R |
F
|
R
|
P5
|
LL
|
100%
|
76 | Permit Type B; License Valid for Units: 28, 37; | |
EF028O4R |
F
|
R
|
O4
|
LL
|
100%
|
79 | Permit Type B; License Valid for Units: 28, 37; | |
EF028O3R |
F
|
R
|
O3
|
LL
|
100%
|
79 | Permit Type B; License Valid for Units: 28, 37; | |
EF028O2R |
F
|
R
|
O2
|
LL
|
81%
|
75 | Permit Type B; License Valid for Units: 28, 37; | |
EF028O1R |
F
|
R
|
O1
|
LL
|
100%
|
76 | Permit Type B; License Valid for Units: 28, 37; | |
EF028O1M |
F
|
M
|
O1
|
LL
|
100%
|
74 | Permit Type B; License Valid for Units: 28, 37, 371; | |
EF028L1R |
F
|
R
|
L1
|
LL
|
100%
|
77 | Permit Type B; License Valid for Units: 28, 37; | |
EE028P4R |
E
|
R
|
P4
|
LL
|
100%
|
76 | Permit Type A; License Valid for Units: 28, 37; | |
EE028P1R |
E
|
R
|
P1
|
LL
|
100%
|
76 | Permit Type A; License Valid for Units: 28, 37; | |
EE028O4R |
E
|
R
|
O4
|
LL
|
100%
|
78 | Permit Type A; License Valid for Units: 28, 37; | |
EE028O1R |
E
|
R
|
O1
|
LL
|
100%
|
79 | Permit Type A; License Valid for Units: 28, 37; | |
EE028O1M |
E
|
M
|
O1
|
LL
|
100%
|
80 | Permit Type A; License Valid for Units: 28, 37, 371; |
Go Pro and get:
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- 1st choice license applications and licenses drawn
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Elk Harvest Stats (2020)
Manner | Season | Type | Sex | Hunters | Harvest | Male | Female | Youth |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
A
|
A
|
|
N/A | 1026 | 54 |
40
|
14
|
0
|
ALL
|
ALL
|
|
N/A | 3155 | 321 |
152
|
149
|
0
|
M
|
M
|
|
N/A | 211 | 28 |
18
|
10
|
0
|
R
|
O3
|
LL
|
F
|
214 | 24 |
0
|
24
|
0
|
R
|
PLO
|
|
N/A | 17 | 3 |
3
|
0
|
0
|
R
|
O4
|
LL
|
F
|
252 | 39 |
0
|
29
|
0
|
R
|
O4
|
|
N/A | 441 | 54 |
11
|
33
|
0
|
R
|
O4
|
LL
|
E
|
181 | 12 |
8
|
4
|
0
|
R
|
O3
|
|
N/A | 599 | 58 |
34
|
24
|
0
|
R
|
O2
|
|
N/A | 461 | 29 |
29
|
0
|
0
|
R
|
O2
|
LL
|
F
|
83 | 0 |
0
|
0
|
0
|
R
|
O1
|
|
N/A | 294 | 42 |
20
|
18
|
0
|
R
|
O1
|
LL
|
F
|
106 | 14 |
0
|
14
|
0
|
R
|
O1
|
LL
|
E
|
179 | 28 |
20
|
4
|
0
|
R
|
L0
|
|
N/A | 123 | 56 |
0
|
50
|
0
|
R
|
ALL
|
|
N/A | 123 | 56 |
0
|
50
|
0
|
R
|
R
|
|
N/A | 1918 | 239 |
94
|
125
|
0
|
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- 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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