Colorado Mule Deer Pronghorn Elk

Unit 104

Colorado Hunting Guide — Mule Deer, Pronghorn, Elk

Unit 104 in Colorado offers mule deer hunting managed by Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW). Tags are allocated through the CPW preference-point draw. Hunters should consult CPW publications for current boundaries, season dates, and regulations before applying.

View Draw Odds Colorado Hunting Guide

Mule Deer Hunting in Unit 104

Where to Find Mule Deer in Unit 104

Mule Deer distribution in Colorado Unit 104 follows typical seasonal patterns for the species. Refer to the CPW Hunting Atlas and unit-specific regulations for mapped habitat, public-land boundaries, and any seasonal closures before planning a hunt.

How to Hunt Mule Deer in Unit 104

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Mule Deer Success Rates

Rifle28%

Archery18%

Muzzleloader22%

Harvest results for Unit 104 mule deer are published annually by Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Consult the CPW Big Game Statistics page for the most recent official success-rate data by hunt code and season.

Mule Deer Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— 2nd Season	5	1	100.0%	0
Rifle— 2nd Season	7	5	100.0%	0
Rifle— 1st Season	2	290	0.7%	29
Rifle— 1st Season	29	12	100.0%	0
Rifle— 3rd Season	76	44	100.0%	0
Rifle— 1st Season	24	23	100.0%	0
Rifle— 2nd Season	2	0	100.0%	0
Rifle— 1st Season	10	58	17.2%	6
Rifle— 1st Season	80	99	80.8%	0
Rifle— 1st Season	110	101	100.0%	0
Rifle— 2nd Season	1	0	100.0%	0
Archery— 1st Season	481	357	100.0%	0
Archery— 3rd Season	13	8	100.0%	0
Muzzleloader— 3rd Season	1	0	100.0%	0
Muzzleloader— 2nd Season	5	6	83.3%	0
Muzzleloader— 2nd Season	33	20	100.0%	0
Muzzleloader— 3rd Season	0	0	0.0%	0

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

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Unit 104 mule deer tags are issued through the CPW preference-point draw. Point requirements vary by weapon type and residency. Check the current CPW draw statistics and the ProHunt Draw Odds tool for the latest published odds.

Pronghorn Hunting in Unit 104

Colorado Pronghorn Unit 104 is managed by Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) through its preference-point draw system. Tags are allocated annually via the CPW big game draw.

Where to Find Pronghorn in Unit 104

Pronghorn in Unit 104 hold on open sage and short-grass flats. Glass herds at dawn and dusk near water and cropland edges.

How to Hunt Pronghorn in Unit 104

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Pronghorn Success Rates

Rifle74%

Muzzleloader55%

Pronghorn success in Colorado is historically high — commonly 60-90% — when tags are limited and hunters can locate water and herds.

Pronghorn Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— 1st Season	3	429	0.7%	24
Rifle— 1st Season	111	82	100.0%	0
Rifle— 1st Season	13	98	13.3%	6
Rifle— 1st Season	79	327	24.2%	1
Rifle— 1st Season	5	5	100.0%	5
Muzzleloader— 1st Season	34	7	100.0%	0
Muzzleloader— 1st Season	62	70	88.6%	0

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

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Unit 104 pronghorn tags are issued through the CPW preference-point draw. Buck tags typically require more points than doe tags.

Elk Hunting in Unit 104

GMU 104 covers the northern Uncompahgre Plateau in Montrose and Delta counties, one of Colorado's premier elk hunting landscapes. The unit features a combination of OTC and limited-draw elk hunt codes depending on weapon type and season — verify the current structure at CPW's Big Game page. The Uncompahgre National Forest's extensive aspen and spruce-fir timber sustains strong elk numbers, and the plateau's relatively gentle terrain makes this a popular but productive western Colorado elk unit.

Where to Find Elk in GMU 104

Elk in GMU 104 use the plateau's aspen parks and spruce-fir drainages, with significant seasonal movement across the broad Uncompahgre Plateau.

Early Season Parks and Wallows

September archery season finds bulls in the aspen parks at 9,000–10,500 feet. Wallows on the plateau are productive locations for pre-season trail cameras and stand sites. The rut peaks in mid-September at these elevations, making this one of Colorado's best archery elk settings.

Rifle Season Timber Retreat

Rifle pressure pushes elk into the plateau's deep spruce-fir drainages. The Divide Road (FR 402) provides the backbone access route; hunters who push 1.5 miles off this road into north-facing drainages consistently find elk that avoid road-corridor pressure.

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How to Hunt GMU 104 Elk

The Uncompahgre Plateau's plateau-top terrain and road network give GMU 104 higher hunting pressure than remote mountain units — reward goes to hunters who put in the miles.

Archery Rut Hunting

September archery hunters targeting the aspen parks should focus on pre-season wallow locations and calling corridors between known bedding and feeding areas. The plateau's elk respond aggressively to bugles during the September rut peak.

Off-Road Distance Strategy

During rifle seasons, use the plateau's forest road network to get to trailheads quickly, then hunt on foot for 2 or more miles into drainages off the main roads. The plateau's gradual terrain allows for non-technical backcountry travel, making pack-in elk hunting relatively accessible.

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Elk Success Rates

Archery12%

Rifle19%

Muzzleloader15%

The Uncompahgre Plateau is one of Colorado's most productive elk areas. Rifle success in this region averages 20–30% for OTC hunters and higher for limited-draw codes. Archery success tracks at 10–15%. Review CPW Big Game Statistics for the most current GMU 104 harvest data.

Elk Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Archery— 1st Season	20	11	100.0%	0
Rifle— 1st Season	3	237	1.3%	26
Rifle— 5th Season	44	20	100.0%	0
Rifle— 1st Season	13	84	15.5%	7
Rifle— 2nd Season	13	61	21.3%	5
Rifle— 1st Season	10	8	100.0%	0
Rifle— 2nd Season	10	5	100.0%	0
Rifle— 3rd Season	10	3	100.0%	0
Rifle— 4th Season	5	1	100.0%	0
Muzzleloader— 1st Season	0	0	0.0%	0
Muzzleloader— 1st Season	6	2	100.0%	0

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

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GMU 104 includes both OTC and limited-draw elk hunt codes. OTC archery and some rifle seasons allow immediate purchase. Limited-draw rifle tags for the most productive seasons require preference points. Verify current license types at CPW's Big Game page before applying — the OTC vs limited structure in this unit is worth confirming annually.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I apply for a Unit 104 mule deer tag in Colorado?

Unit 104 mule deer tags are issued through the Colorado Parks and Wildlife preference-point draw. Apply through the CPW online licensing portal during the annual big-game draw application window.

Where can I find official harvest data for Unit 104?

Colorado Parks and Wildlife publishes per-unit harvest and success statistics on the CPW Big Game Statistics page. That is the authoritative source for Unit 104 mule deer results.

How do I apply for Unit 104 pronghorn?

Apply through the CPW spring big game draw using your preference points.

What is the success rate for Unit 104 pronghorn?

Colorado pronghorn units typically run 60-90% success. Check CPW Big Game Statistics for Unit 104-specific numbers.

Is the Uncompahgre Plateau a good OTC elk unit?

Yes — the Uncompahgre Plateau (which includes GMU 104) is one of Colorado's most productive OTC elk areas. The large, accessible aspen and spruce-fir terrain on the plateau top holds strong elk numbers. Hunter pressure is higher than in remote wilderness units, so getting off roads is critical for consistent success.

What is the Divide Road and how do I access GMU 104?

FR 402 (the Divide Road) runs the length of the Uncompahgre Plateau and is the primary access spine for GMU 104. Access points include Delta Road 24.50 Road from the north and Montrose roads from the south. The road is typically passable for most 2WD vehicles in dry conditions but can become impassable after heavy rain or snow.

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Sources & Verification

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

CPW Big Game Hunting — Colorado Parks and Wildlife · supports: Big game species managed by CPW, Official Colorado hunting information portal · accessed 2026-04-17
CPW Big Game Statistics — Colorado Parks and Wildlife · supports: Official harvest and success rate statistics, Per-GMU hunt result reporting · accessed 2026-04-17
CPW Big Game Draw — Colorado Parks and Wildlife · supports: Preference-point draw application process, Annual big game draw timelines · accessed 2026-04-17
CPW Hunting Atlas — GMU 104 — Colorado Parks and Wildlife / CSU NREL · supports: GMU boundary geometry, Uncompahgre NF public land layers · accessed 2026-04-17

Unit 104

Mule Deer Hunting in Unit 104

Where to Find Mule Deer in Unit 104

How to Hunt Mule Deer in Unit 104

Mule Deer Success Rates

Mule Deer Draw Odds

Pronghorn Hunting in Unit 104

Where to Find Pronghorn in Unit 104

How to Hunt Pronghorn in Unit 104

Pronghorn Success Rates

Pronghorn Draw Odds

Elk Hunting in Unit 104

Where to Find Elk in GMU 104

Early Season Parks and Wallows

Rifle Season Timber Retreat

How to Hunt GMU 104 Elk

Archery Rut Hunting

Off-Road Distance Strategy

Elk Success Rates

Elk Draw Odds

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

Permit Notes

Frequently Asked Questions

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Sources & Verification