Colorado Pronghorn Mule Deer Elk

Unit 128 (Canon City / Wet Mountain Valley)

Colorado Hunting Guide — Pronghorn, Mule Deer, Elk

GMU 128 covers the Wet Mountain Valley and foothills of Fremont and Custer counties in south-central Colorado, east of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Pronghorn populations in this unit occupy the sage-grass valleys and short-grass plains managed by CPW through the preference point draw. The scenic Wet Mountain Valley setting and accessible terrain make this a quality mid-range draw target.

View Draw Odds Colorado Hunting Guide

Pronghorn Hunting in Unit 128

Where to Find Pronghorn in GMU 128

Pronghorn in GMU 128 range across the sage-grass valleys of the Wet Mountain region, with animals visible year-round on the open valley floors and foothills grasslands.

Valley Floors and Benches

The Wet Mountain Valley floor provides excellent visibility for locating herds from county roads. Glass in the early morning when pronghorn are actively feeding before retreating to higher ground during midday heat.

September Rut

During the September rut, bucks are conspicuous as they herd does on valley grasslands. This is the best window for identifying trophy bucks and planning stalks. Bachelor herds break up completely and bucks can be found throughout the valley.

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How to Hunt GMU 128 Pronghorn

The Wet Mountain Valley's mix of private and public land requires careful planning to find huntable access points.

Public Land Identification

Use the CPW Hunting Atlas to identify BLM and state land parcels before your hunt. Some valley floor parcels are accessible via county roads. Glass pronghorn from roads and plan approaches entirely on verified public ground.

Decoys for Archery

Archery hunters targeting rut-active bucks can use pronghorn decoys to draw aggressive bucks into range. Set up the decoy where it is visible at 200+ yards, get into shooting position downwind, and wait for a buck to commit to an approach.

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Pronghorn Success Rates

Muzzleloader55%

Rifle74%

South-central Colorado pronghorn units with mixed valley and bench terrain typically see 60–75% rifle success rates. Archery success is lower given the open conditions. Review CPW Big Game Statistics for GMU 128 specific harvest data.

Pronghorn Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Muzzleloader— 1st Season	17	7	100.0%	0
Muzzleloader— 1st Season	34	62	54.8%	1
Rifle— 1st Season	53	42	100.0%	0
Rifle— 5th Season	20	12	100.0%	0
Rifle— 1st Season	72	286	25.2%	1

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

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GMU 128 pronghorn draw odds are generally moderate — accessible with 1–3 preference points for most rifle hunt codes. The Wet Mountain area attracts consistent but not extreme applicant pressure. Verify current point requirements in CPW's annual draw statistics.

Mule Deer Hunting in Unit 128

GMU 128 covers the Wet Mountain Valley and foothills of Fremont and Custer counties in south-central Colorado, east of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Mule deer use pinyon-juniper foothills, sage-grass valley floors, and oakbrush benches under CPW's preference-point draw.

Where to Find Mule Deer in Unit 128

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How to Hunt Mule Deer in Unit 128

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Mule Deer Success Rates

Archery18%

Rifle28%

Muzzleloader22%

GMU 128 mule deer rifle success varies with weather and hunter density. CPW harvest statistics are the authoritative source.

Mule Deer Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %
Archery— 2nd Season	64	86	74.4%
Archery— 4th Season	25	7	100.0%
Archery— 4th Season	2	0	100.0%
Rifle— 2nd Season	30	27	100.0%
Rifle— 1st Season	27	15	100.0%
Rifle— 2nd Season	11	1	100.0%
Rifle— 1st Season	42	91	46.2%
Muzzleloader— 3rd Season	0	0	0.0%
Muzzleloader— 2nd Season	6	0	100.0%
Muzzleloader— 2nd Season	11	9	100.0%
Muzzleloader— 3rd Season	0	0	0.0%

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

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Unit 128 mule deer tags run through Colorado's preference-point draw. Some hunt codes clear at moderate points; premier rifle codes consume more.

Elk Hunting in Unit 128

Unit 128 covers the Piedra River drainage in Archuleta County in southwestern Colorado, encompassing a mix of San Juan National Forest timber and lower mesa country. The unit sits adjacent to the South San Juan Wilderness and holds a consistent elk herd. Access is good from paved and improved forest roads out of Pagosa Springs.

Where to Find Elk in Unit 128

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How to Hunt Elk in Unit 128

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Elk Success Rates

Muzzleloader15%

Rifle19%

Unit 128 produces 22–32% rifle success for limited-license hunters. The proximity to Pagosa Springs services and South San Juan backcountry make this unit appealing to both road-accessible and backcountry hunters.

Elk Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Muzzleloader— 1st Season	4	0	100.0%	0
Rifle— 1st Season	57	27	100.0%	0

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

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Most elk seasons in Unit 128 require limited licenses. Archery tags are more accessible with 2–4 preference points; first and second rifle seasons typically need 5–10 points for residents.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

🥾

Terrain Difficulty

Easy to moderate — valley grasslands and sage foothills

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Hunting Pressure

Low to moderate — limited draw, mix of public and private land

🏘️

Nearest Town

Westcliffe (central in the Wet Mountain Valley)

📋

Permit Notes

Limited-draw; preference points required; significant private land — scout public parcels with CPW Hunting Atlas before applying

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Wet Mountain Valley (GMU 128) mostly private land?

The valley floor in GMU 128 is predominantly private ranch land. Huntable public parcels exist in the foothills and surrounding BLM areas — use the CPW Hunting Atlas to identify specific public land before committing to apply.

How accessible is GMU 128 from the Front Range?

GMU 128 is approximately 2–2.5 hours from Colorado Springs via CO-115 and CO-96. The relatively short drive makes it an attractive choice for Front Range hunters targeting a western unit without a long road trip.

Is Unit 128 a DIY unit?

Yes. Pike-San Isabel NF and BLM parcels provide good access into both the Wet Mountains and the Sangre de Cristos.

When to go?

2nd or 3rd rifle tracks traditional rut movement; archery works the September pinyon-juniper.

Can I access the South San Juan Wilderness from Unit 128?

Yes — Unit 128 borders the South San Juan Wilderness. Several trailheads off Forest Road 631 allow backcountry access. Wilderness regulations prohibit motorized vehicles but not stock animals.

What season timing is best for Unit 128 elk?

Second rifle season (late October) is considered a sweet spot — the rut is winding down but bulls are still visible and temperatures drop enough to push elk to mid-elevations.

Is there outfitter activity in Unit 128?

Yes — several permitted outfitters operate in the San Juan National Forest portions of Unit 128. DIY hunters should scout areas away from established outfitter camps for less pressure.

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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: GMU boundaries, Pronghorn license structure, Season dates · accessed 2026-04-17
CPW Big Game Statistics — Colorado Parks and Wildlife · supports: Pronghorn harvest totals, Hunter success rates, Population estimates per DAU · accessed 2026-04-17
CPW Big Game Draw — Colorado Parks and Wildlife · supports: Preference point system, Application period, Draw results · accessed 2026-04-17
CPW Hunting Atlas — GMU 128 — Colorado Parks and Wildlife / CSU NREL · supports: GMU boundary geometry, Public land ownership layers · accessed 2026-04-17
CPW Hunting — Big Game Unit Information — Colorado Parks and Wildlife · supports: GMU 128 boundary, Preference-point draw · accessed 2026-04-17
2025 Colorado Big Game Brochure — Colorado Parks and Wildlife · supports: 2025 mule deer season dates, Hunt codes for GMU 128 · accessed 2026-04-17
Pike and San Isabel National Forests — USDA Forest Service · supports: Public land in the Wet Mountains · accessed 2026-04-17

Unit 128 (Canon City / Wet Mountain Valley)

Pronghorn Hunting in Unit 128

Where to Find Pronghorn in GMU 128

Valley Floors and Benches

September Rut

How to Hunt GMU 128 Pronghorn

Public Land Identification

Decoys for Archery

Pronghorn Success Rates

Pronghorn Draw Odds

Mule Deer Hunting in Unit 128

Where to Find Mule Deer in Unit 128

Wet Mountain Foothills

Sangre de Cristo Edge

How to Hunt Mule Deer in Unit 128

Glass Foothill Edges

Hunt Oakbrush in Rifle

Mule Deer Success Rates

Mule Deer Draw Odds

Elk Hunting in Unit 128

Where to Find Elk in Unit 128

How to Hunt Elk in Unit 128

Elk Success Rates

Elk Draw Odds

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

Terrain Difficulty

Hunting Pressure

Nearest Town

Permit Notes

Frequently Asked Questions

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Sources & Verification