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Colorado Mule Deer

Unit 103 (Northeast Plains / Pawnee)

Colorado Hunting Guide — Mule Deer

GMU 103 is a northeast Colorado plains mule deer unit near the Pawnee National Grassland. CPW lists it as a high-tag hunt, with roughly 914 licenses issued against 723 applicants across three years — more tags than applicants, so aggregate draw is essentially automatic. Public access comes through Pawnee National Grassland, State Wildlife Areas, and Walk-In Access parcels, but most productive country is private agricultural ground. Access determines experience more than any other factor here.

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Access roads, campgrounds, elevation, monthly weather, stock tanks, cell coverage, and nearest-town services for Unit 103.
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Mule Deer Hunting in Unit 103

GMU 103 is a northeast Colorado plains mule deer unit near the Pawnee National Grassland. CPW lists it as a high-tag hunt, with roughly 914 licenses issued against 723 applicants across three years — more tags than applicants, so aggregate draw is essentially automatic. Public access comes through Pawnee National Grassland, State Wildlife Areas, and Walk-In Access parcels, but most productive country is private agricultural ground. Access determines experience more than any other factor here.

Where to Find Mule Deer in GMU 103

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How to Hunt GMU 103 Mule Deer

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Mule Deer Success Rates

Archery18%
Rifle28%
Muzzleloader22%
CPW's harvest data for northeast plains mule deer units tracks with access. Private permission and WIA proficiency drive buck success well above the state average; public-only hunters post lower but workable numbers.

Mule Deer Draw Odds

SeasonTagsApplicantsDraw %Pts Req
Archery— 1st Season384977.6% 0
Archery— 3rd Season60100.0% 0
Rifle— 1st Season3213100.0% 0
Rifle— 2nd Season493100.0% 0
Rifle— 1st Season6346100.0% 0
Rifle— 5th Season10100.0% 0
Rifle— 1st Season162466.7% 0
Rifle— 1st Season354971.4% 0
Rifle— 5th Season62100.0% 0
Muzzleloader— 2nd Season158100.0% 0
Muzzleloader— 2nd Season198100.0% 0

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

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With 723 applicants and 914 tags across three years, GMU 103 clears most hunt codes at zero preference points. Colorado's pure preference-point draw serves the highest pool first; ties go random. Nonresident allocations fill faster than resident.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is GMU 103 mostly public or private?
Mostly private agricultural ground. Pawnee National Grassland, State Wildlife Areas, and Walk-In Access parcels provide the public footprint.
Do I need a permit for Pawnee National Grassland?
No — standard Colorado hunting license grants access. Camping and vehicle use have separate Forest Service rules; check the Pawnee Ranger District for specifics.
How does the draw work for GMU 103 mule deer?
CPW uses pure preference points — highest point pool draws first, ties go random. Most GMU 103 hunt codes clear at zero points.

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Sources & Verification

Every fact on this page is tied to a primary source below. Last fact-checked 2026-04-17.

  1. CPW Hunting — GMU 103 Mule Deer Information — Colorado Parks & Wildlife · supports: GMU 103 boundary, plains mule deer season structure, and WIA eligibility · accessed 2026-04-17
  2. 2025 Colorado Big Game Brochure — Colorado Parks & Wildlife · supports: GMU 103 mule deer hunt codes, license limits, and preference-point rules · accessed 2026-04-17
  3. Pawnee National Grassland — USDA Forest Service · supports: Public grassland tracts, access roads, and recreation information in northeast CO · accessed 2026-04-17