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Colorado Mule Deer

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.

Mule Deer Hunting in Unit 126

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.

Where to Find Mule Deer in GMU 126

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How to Hunt GMU 126 Mule Deer

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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

SeasonTagsApplicantsDraw %Pts Req
Rifle— 1st Season1313100.0% 0
Rifle— 1st Season192770.4% 0
Rifle— 1st Season435972.9% 0
Rifle— 1st Season318735.6% 1
Rifle— 2nd Season317100.0% 0
Rifle— 2nd Season171989.5% 0
Rifle— 2nd Season41100.0% 0
Rifle— 2nd Season50100.0% 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

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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.

  1. 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
  2. 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
  3. Comanche National Grassland — USDA Forest Service · supports: Public grassland tracts and access roads in southeast Colorado · accessed 2026-04-17