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Hunting in

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GMU 471 - Pitkin County

Early seasons find elk anywhere from 7500ft to above timberline. With increased hunting pressure and snow, herds tend to move to remote areas or private landsÑaway from roads and hunters.

GMU 15 - Routt, Grand, and Eagle Counties

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.

GMU 27 - Grand and Routt 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.

GMU 30 - Garfield and Mesa Counties

GMU 82 - Alamosa and Saguache Counties

Elk hunting is good but requires hunters to pursue animals in challenging terrain. Overall, success rates for elk hunters in unlimited units in the San Luis Valley are generally lower than the statewide average. Weather is a dominant factor for hunters.

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.

GMU 371 - Summit County

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.

GMU 171 - Jackson County

Elk are distributed evenly throughout this unit. During the day, the bulls will be in dark timber - glass in the early morning and evening.

GMU 16 - Jackson County

Elk are distributed evenly throughout these units. During the day, the bulls will be in dark timberÑglass in the early morning and evening. The herd tends to stay in the coniferous timbered areas until late in the season.

GMU 70 - Dolores, Montrose, and San Miguel Counties

The elk population is holding steady and herds are at objective levels. You'll find them distributed widely throughout the eastern portion of the unit. Elk will move quickly into thick aspen, evergreens and rugged terrain with hunting pressure.

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.

GMU 19 - Larimer County

Elk summer range generally includes areas between 9,500 and 11,500 feet in elevation. These areas usually become available to elk as snowlines recede in mid to late May. The majority of elk in this area winter at elevations between 7,000 and 9,500 feet.

GMU 17 - Jackson County

Elk are distributed evenly throughout these units. During the day, the bulls will be in dark timber - glass in the early morning and evening.

GMU 62 - Delta, Mesa, Montrose, and Ouray Counties

The highest success rate for bull hunters occurs during first season, but expect hunting pressure there. Animals usually move to lower elevation private lands as hunting pressure increases.

GMU 751 - Archuleta, Hinsdale, La Plata, and San Juan Counties

Hunters must be prepared to walk into remote and forested areas. Do not expect to see elk from roads or areas open to OHVs. In early seasons, stick to cool areas on north-facing slopes in the spruce/fir and aspen forests.

GMU 11 - Moffat and Rio Blanco Counties

The large elk herd occupies all available habitat. The later seasons are usually better, especially on public land, due to snow and hunting pressure pushing the elk out of the adjacent units. The success rate is very good on late cow elk hunts.

GMU 7 - Larimer County

Elk summer range generally includes areas between 9,500 and 11,500 feet in elevation. These areas usually become available to elk as snowlines recede in mid to late May. The majority of elk in this area winter at elevations between 7,000 and 9,500 feet.

GMU 161 - Jackson County

The herd tends to stay in the coniferous timbered areas until late in the season, moving to lower elevations with snow and hunting pressure.

GMU 21 - Rio Blanco and Garfield Counties

GMU 411 - Mesa and Delta Counties

Most elk will be at higher elevations during the early seasons above 8,500 feet in thick timber and oak brush. Distribution changes in relation to weather and hunting pressure; so hunters should be prepared to adapt to conditions.