Hunters have shared a wealth of insights about Colorado's Unit 61, focusing on draw odds, terrain challenges, and strategy for successful hunts. The preference point system is clearly key, with high point requirements often reflecting slim chances unless well-prepared. While some hunters express frustration over draw odds, which can seem misleading due to point creep, others emphasize the importance of understanding the hybrid draw's nuances and how quotas impact non-resident chances. Hunting in Unit 61 requires adaptability to rough terrain and strategic scouting, with many recommending early scouting to locate wallows or understanding elk movement related to terrain and seasonality. Positive experiences are often highlighted around using ATVs judiciously, understanding possible campsite layouts, and preparing for physically demanding hunts. For those planning to hunt this unit, leveraging local outfitters, particularly for rare tags, could maximize the quality of the hunt, while others stress the necessity of being physically prepared for tough terrain and having a clear plan going in, especially for deer and elk seasons.
| species | general Size | trophy potential |
|---|---|---|
| Mule Deer | 160"-180" | 180"+ |
| Elk | 300"-340" | 350"+ |
High
Low
A premier destination for elk and mule deer hunters, the western half of the Uncompahgre Plateau comprises most of this unit, which runs about 70 miles from Gateway near the Utah line all the way to Placerville. Hunters need many preference points to draw elk or mule deer tags.
This unit consistently yields big elk and mule deer. Hunter success is good even though hunters must deal with dense cover and few hike more than a mile from roads. The muzzleloader elk season offers a good chance to take a trophy class bull.
This unit consists of the western half of the Uncompahgre Plateau and the canyons and lowlands between the brim and the San Miguel River. The plateau is a flat-top mountain range that ranges is mostly between 8,300-9,200 feet above sea level and stretches about 90 miles from the northwest to the southeast. A handful of high points are more than 9,300 feet in elevation, including Spruce Mountain at 9,731 feet and Uncompahgre Butte at 9,679 feet. Divide Road leads to many canyons and benches. Most of the plateau itself is in the Uncompahgre National Forest, while most of the canyons and lowlands to the west are managed by the BLM.
Divide Road provides excellent access on the plateau with many roads branching to ridges and canyons. Some of those roads can be impassable after torrential rains or heavy snowstorms. Have a four-wheel-drive vehicle, and carry chains and extra tires. From the valleys below, access is limited in many places by private land. Carry a GPS with a land ownership overlay and learn where you can hike around ranches to reach lightly hunted public canyons. Roads serving Unit 61:
Low elevations have sagebrush, oak brush, thick pinyon pine forests and junipers along with cottonwoods and willows in creek bottoms. Foothills are covered with cedars, grasses, dense oak brush and sagebrush. Higher elevations host expansive stands of aspen, spruce and pine. Lush open meadows complete the dense forest mosaic.
BLM and National Forest lands are open to camping. Grand Junction, Delta, Montrose, Ridgway, Norwood, Nucla and Naturita have motels, restaurants, banks, medical facilities and service stations. Regional airports are at Grand Junction and Montrose.
Forest Service campgrounds:
Roughly 1,300 square miles
84.6% public land
Elevations from 4,600-10,000 feet
Interior roads start at State Routes 141, 145 and 62
Route 145 northwest and southeast of Norwood
Route 62 northeast of Placerville
Divide Road begins at Colorado Route 141
Dave Wood Road off of Colorado Route 62
Divide Forks, open April 24-November
Columbine, open mid-June-November
Iron Spring, open June-September