At a Glance
675Square Miles
52.8%Public Land
6,239 - 12,000Elevation Range
Quick Tips
- Bears can cause problems
- Expect rapid weather changes
- Good trout fishing in rivers, creeks and many lakes
Unit 12 in Colorado garners mixed reviews from hunters, with several emphasizing the importance of understanding the area's rugged terrain and adjusting strategies accordingly. The unit is noted for its challenging access and dense cover, which can make spotting game more difficult; however, those who invest time in scouting and learning the land often report better outcomes. Hunters have shared that timing the hunt with the peak rut season can increase chances of encountering elk and mule deer. Overall, patience and preparedness are key, with many advising to focus on secluded areas away from high-pressure spots to improve success rates.
The large unit is comprised of an even mixture of public and private lands. During the earlier seasons, hunters will find good opportunities in the higher elevations. As snow arrives for the later season and the game is pushed into lower elevations hunters will begin having some access issues as many of these areas are private lands.
The state sells an unlimited number of elk tags for late October and early November rifle seasons so hunting pressure is intense then, especially near roads. There is mostly private land in the north half of this unit and remote wilderness to the souteast. Expect heavy ATV traffic on the west portion of the unit.