Unit 126 (La Junta / Arkansas River Plains)

Colorado Hunting Guide — Mule Deer

GMU 126 covers southeast Colorado plains south of La Junta along the lower Arkansas River drainage. CPW lists it as a moderate-tag plains mule deer unit, with roughly 538 licenses against 720 applicants across three years. The unit is dominated by private agricultural ground; Comanche National Grassland tracts, CPW State Wildlife Areas, and Walk-In Access parcels provide the public footprint. Access and weather drive the experience.

View Draw Odds Colorado Hunting Guide

Mule Deer Hunting in Unit 126

Where to Find Mule Deer in GMU 126

Southeast plains bucks live in river bottoms, shinnery draws, and shelter belts — we hunt where cover concentrates.

Arkansas River Tributaries

Timpas, Purgatoire, and smaller tributary drainages give cottonwood cover and daytime shade.

Shinnery and Sand Sage

Sandhill country with shinnery oak and sand sage holds bucks through midday. Grassland tracts with these features produce.

CRP Edges

Unharvested CRP and shelter belts adjacent to ag attract deer at last light. Glass from county-road vantage points.

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How to Hunt GMU 126 Mule Deer

Access and weather matter more than any single tactic on southeast Colorado plains.

Lock In Ranches Early

Pre-season knock-and-talk secures private access before any other hunters think about it. A single good ranch often defines the trip.

Glass in Bursts

First and last hour of daylight are prime — we drive the grid between multiple glassing points rather than sitting one.

Work the Weather

Cold fronts push deer to remaining cover. We stay flexible and shift plans when a front rolls through.

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Mule Deer Success Rates

Rifle28%

CPW's harvest data on southeast plains mule deer units shows success tightly correlated with access. Private-permission hunters consistently top the posted rates; public-only hunters still connect with patience and weather luck.

Mule Deer Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— 1st Season	13	13	100.0%	0
Rifle— 1st Season	19	27	70.4%	0
Rifle— 1st Season	43	59	72.9%	0
Rifle— 1st Season	31	87	35.6%	1
Rifle— 2nd Season	31	7	100.0%	0
Rifle— 2nd Season	17	19	89.5%	0
Rifle— 2nd Season	4	1	100.0%	0
Rifle— 2nd Season	5	0	100.0%	0

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

With 720 applicants and 538 licenses across three years, GMU 126 typically requires zero to one preference points depending on hunt code. Colorado's pure preference-point draw serves the highest pool first; late-season buck codes are the tightest squeeze.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

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Road Conditions

US-50 and US-287 are paved. Ranch and grassland roads are graded gravel; mud follows any rain.

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Terrain Difficulty

Easy — rolling plains and river bottoms. Elevation 3,800–5,000 ft.

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Hunting Pressure

Moderate on private, heavier on public access parcels during openers.

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Weather

October and November can swing from mild to bitter. Pack layers for a 40-degree daily range.

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Cell Service

Decent near paved highways and towns; spotty in deeper country.

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Nearest Town

La Junta (full services), Rocky Ford, and Las Animas. Lamar is an alternative hub further east.

Note: Always carry the current Walk-In Access atlas and verify parcel status on CPW's website before a trip.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is GMU 126 a public-land-friendly unit?

Only partially — Comanche National Grassland, CPW State Wildlife Areas, and enrolled WIA parcels provide public footprint, but most productive country is private.

How many preference points do I need for GMU 126?

Typically zero to one point depending on season and weapon. Check CPW's current Big Game Brochure for specifics.

Do I need a separate permit for WIA?

No — a standard Colorado hunting or fishing license includes WIA access for the current year. Verify each parcel's open dates in the current WIA atlas.

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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 Hunting — GMU 126 Mule Deer Information — Colorado Parks & Wildlife · supports: GMU 126 boundary, plains mule deer season structure, and WIA eligibility · accessed 2026-04-17
2025 Colorado Big Game Brochure — Colorado Parks & Wildlife · supports: GMU 126 mule deer hunt codes, license limits, and preference-point rules · accessed 2026-04-17
Comanche National Grassland — USDA Forest Service · supports: Public grassland tracts and access roads in southeast Colorado · accessed 2026-04-17