Colorado Mule Deer Elk Pronghorn

Unit 131 (Holly)

Colorado Hunting Guide — Mule Deer, Elk, Pronghorn

Unit 131 covers portions of Prowers County in far eastern Colorado around Holly and the Arkansas River corridor. The unit mixes short-grass prairie, CRP, and cottonwood bottoms along the Arkansas, producing solid mule deer density and consistent rifle opportunity for hunters who work the landscape.

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Access roads, campgrounds, elevation, monthly weather, stock tanks, cell coverage, and nearest-town services for Unit 131.

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Mule Deer Hunting in Unit 131

Where to Find Mule Deer in Unit 131

Unit 131 mule deer use the Arkansas River bottoms and adjacent prairie edges.

Cottonwood Bottoms

Bucks bed in the cottonwoods and willow tangles along the Arkansas during the day and push into adjacent fields at night.

CRP Fields

Large CRP tracts along creeks hold bucks, especially during the rut.

Weed Patches and Fence Lines

Subtle prairie features — sunflower patches, weedy fence lines, weed-choked lagoons — concentrate bucks in otherwise flat country.

How to Hunt Mule Deer in Unit 131

Unit 131 is mostly a private-land unit with limited public access points.

Private-Land Permission

Most successful hunts are on private. Contact ranchers well before season.

Walk-in Access

CPW's Walk-in Access program posts significant acreage each fall in Prowers County. Check the current enrollment before the season.

Glass River Bottoms

Set up on bluffs overlooking the Arkansas at first light. Bucks travel predictable routes between bedding cottonwoods and feeding fields.

Access

US 50, State Highway 89, and local county roads open the unit. Watch for signs carefully — private land dominates.

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Mule Deer Success Rates

Rifle28%

Unit 131 rifle mule deer success typically runs 35-55%. Private-land hunters fare much better than public-only hunters.

Mule Deer Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %
Rifle— 2nd Season	11	25	44.0%
Rifle— 3rd Season	10	2	100.0%
Rifle— 2nd Season	23	53	43.4%
Rifle— 3rd Season	10	10	100.0%

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Unit 131 uses Colorado's pure preference-point draw. Resident rifle buck tags typically draw with 0-3 points. Archery and muzzleloader often draw immediately.

Elk Hunting in Unit 131

Unit 131 covers the San Luis Valley mountain fringe in Alamosa and Conejos counties, blending piney ridges, aspen parks, and sage-grass parks near the Colorado-New Mexico border. Three-year data shows 139 applicants against 307 tags — excellent draw odds that make this a go-to unit for hunters wanting a realistic first-year draw. We find Unit 131 productive for elk thanks to its varied habitat and the healthy herds that use the Rio Grande National Forest terrain.

Where to Find Elk in Unit 131

Elk in Unit 131 use the mountain terrain rising above the San Luis Valley, moving between high summer range and valley-fringe winter areas.

Piney Ridge and Aspen Parks

Elk concentrate in the piney ridges and aspen parks between 8,000 and 10,500 feet during hunting season. Focus on north-facing aspen slopes as feeding and travel corridors between bedding timber and open parks.

Valley Fringe Areas

During late season and after significant snowfall, elk push down to the sage and grass parks on the mountain fringe above the San Luis Valley. These transition areas are productive for late rifle and muzzleloader hunters.

How to Hunt Elk in Unit 131

Unit 131's diversity of terrain gives hunters options from bugling archery hunts in the high country to rifle hunts on the valley fringe migration routes.

Archery Rut

The piney ridges above 9,000 feet produce active bugling from mid-September. Use cow calls and location bugles to engage bulls in the timber-park transition zones. The Rio Grande National Forest access points provide reasonable starting points.

Rifle Migration Intercept

Unit 131 elk move predictably toward the San Luis Valley during October-November snowfall events. Position at known migration crossings and saddles above the 8,500-foot contour for intercept opportunities.

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Elk Success Rates

Rifle19%

Elk Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %
Rifle— 5th Season	26	7	100.0%
Rifle— 4th Season	7	4	100.0%
Rifle— 2nd Season	20	13	100.0%
Rifle— 3rd Season	9	2	100.0%
Rifle— 4th Season	5	2	100.0%
Rifle— 2nd Season	15	10	100.0%
Rifle— 3rd Season	7	3	100.0%
Rifle— 4th Season	1	0	100.0%

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Colorado's pure preference-point system governs Unit 131. With tags more than double the applicants over three years, this unit offers some of the best elk draw odds in southern Colorado. First-year applicants are highly competitive. Check the CPW draw recap for current hunt code breakdowns.

Pronghorn Hunting in Unit 131

Unit 131 occupies the northeastern Colorado plains spanning Logan, Weld, and Morgan counties — a broad sweep of shortgrass prairie, cultivated dryland wheat fields, and scattered sagebrush that forms one of Colorado's classic pronghorn landscapes. With approximately 7 applicants per year, this is a low-traffic draw unit that offers straightforward access and quality open-country hunting in a less-pressured corridor compared to more competitive Colorado antelope units.

Where to Find Pronghorn in Unit 131

Unit 131 pronghorn are distributed across the open plains in Logan, Weld, and Morgan counties. The flat-to-rolling terrain makes spotting animals straightforward from elevated road positions, but the mix of private and public land requires careful map study to plan legal access.

Shortgrass Prairie and Dryland Wheat

Pronghorn use dryland wheat stubble and shortgrass pastures heavily in fall after grain harvest. Glass from elevated road positions or grain elevator access points to locate feeding herds in morning and evening. Agricultural areas are predominantly private — confirm land ownership before approaching.

Sagebrush and CRP Ground

Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) grassland and native sagebrush patches hold pronghorn year-round and provide public or PLOTS (Private Land Open To Sportsmen) access in some areas. Check CPW and PLOTS maps for accessible parcels within Unit 131.

Drainage Corridors

The South Platte River drainage and its tributaries create corridor features that pronghorn use for travel between rangeland blocks. Focus on river-adjacent BLM and SWA (State Wildlife Area) parcels where public access exists in what is otherwise predominantly private plains country.

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How to Hunt Pronghorn in Unit 131

Northeastern Colorado pronghorn hunting is a mix of vehicle-assisted spotting and foot stalks on open plains. Landowner permission and PLOTS/SWA access define the shape of any successful hunt in this agricultural landscape.

Landowner Access

Much of Unit 131 is private agricultural land. The single most effective pre-hunt preparation is knocking on doors and securing written permission from landowners. Colorado pronghorn hunters with good landowner relationships access the best populations. Early September contact — before season — is standard practice.

Glass-and-Stalk on Open Country

Spot pronghorn from elevated road shoulders or grain elevator access points at dawn and dusk. Once a target buck is identified on accessible land, plan a ground stalk using rolling terrain, drainages, and sparse vegetation to close distance. Pronghorn eyesight in open terrain demands a careful, low approach in final yards.

PLOTS and SWA Access

Colorado's PLOTS program and SWA system provide public access options without landowner negotiation. Download the CPW SWA Atlas and Colorado PLOTS maps for Unit 131 before your hunt to identify all accessible parcels. Some SWA properties in the plains region offer excellent pronghorn hunting with manageable competition.

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Pronghorn Success Rates

Rifle74%

Archery42%

Muzzleloader55%

Colorado plains pronghorn units managed under the draw system typically achieve 60–85% harvest success. Unit 131's low applicant count (approximately 7 per year) reflects a smaller available tag pool — tags are set conservatively relative to local pronghorn density. Check current CPW harvest reports for unit-specific success rates.

Pronghorn Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %
Rifle— 1st Season	1	0	100.0%
Rifle— 1st Season	3	3	100.0%
Archery— 1st Season	3	0	100.0%
Archery— 1st Season	1	0	100.0%
Muzzleloader— 1st Season	1	1	100.0%

Data from 2021 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

With approximately 7 applicants per year, Unit 131 is one of Colorado's lower-demand pronghorn draw units. Colorado uses a preference-point weighted draw — applicants with accumulated points have elevated odds in the preference pool. With such a small applicant pool, even lower-point hunters may draw in favorable years. Check CPW Draw Odds statistics for current data.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

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RV Sites

Lamar and Holly have basic services.

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Camp Sites

Limited public camping. John Martin Reservoir SWA to the west.

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Trailer Access

Yes on paved and graded roads.

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Water

Arkansas River, scattered ponds.

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Road Conditions

Paved and gravel county roads. Mud risk when wet.

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Terrain Difficulty

Easy. Flat prairie with shallow river breaks.

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Hunting Pressure

Moderate on public access, heavy on some private leases.

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Weather

Warm early, cold by November. Strong winds common.

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Cell Service

Generally good.

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Nearest Town

Holly / Lamar

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many preference points for Unit 131 mule deer?

Unit 131 rifle buck tags typically draw with 0-3 preference points for residents through Colorado's pure preference-point draw.

Is public land enough for DIY in Unit 131?

Public land is limited in Unit 131. Most successful DIY hunters rely on Walk-in Access enrollments and door-knocking for private permission.

Is Unit 131 elk good for beginning Colorado hunters?

Unit 131 is an excellent choice for first-time Colorado elk hunters. The favorable draw odds, accessible terrain, and healthy elk population make it manageable. We recommend scouting the piney ridges above Antonito in late summer to identify elk before the season opens.

Why does Unit 131 have so few applicants for pronghorn?

Unit 131's low applicant count reflects the combination of a smaller tag allocation and the unit's location in the northeastern plains — a less-celebrated hunting region than Colorado's mountain or prairie southeast. The unit offers a legitimate Colorado pronghorn hunt with lower competition than more publicized units. Hunters looking for a realistic draw in a reasonable number of years should consider this unit.

Is there public land available for pronghorn in Unit 131?

Public land in Unit 131 is limited compared to Colorado's western units — the northeastern plains are predominantly private agricultural land. SWA (State Wildlife Area) parcels and Colorado PLOTS provide some access. Check the CPW SWA Atlas and Colorado PLOTS program maps at cpw.state.co.us for current accessible parcels in the unit.

What rifle cartridge works best for Colorado plains pronghorn?

Open plains can produce shots from 200 to 500+ yards. Flat-shooting cartridges in the .243, .25-06, 6.5 Creedmoor, or .270 range are popular choices. Practice at field-realistic distances (200–400 yards) before the hunt. A quality rest — shooting sticks or a backpack — is important for taking steady shots on the open ground.

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Sources & Verification

Every fact on this page is tied to a primary source below. Last fact-checked 2026-04-18.

Colorado Big Game Hunting Brochure (Current Cycle) — Colorado Parks and Wildlife · supports: Deer season dates, Unit 131 boundary · accessed 2026-04-17
CPW Mule Deer Hunt Statistics — Colorado Parks and Wildlife · supports: Unit 131 harvest totals, Season success · accessed 2026-04-17
CPW Hunting Atlas — GMU 131 — Colorado Parks and Wildlife / CSU NREL · supports: Unit 131 boundary, Walk-in Access parcels · accessed 2026-04-17
CPW Elk Hunt Statistics and Draw Recap — Colorado Parks and Wildlife · supports: Per-GMU harvest totals, Hunter success rates, Draw recap point data · accessed 2026-04-17
Colorado Pronghorn Hunting — Colorado Parks and Wildlife · supports: Season dates, Unit 131 boundary, Tag allocation · accessed 2026-04-18
Colorado Draw Odds Statistics — Colorado Parks and Wildlife · supports: Applicant counts, Draw odds, Preference point data · accessed 2026-04-18

Unit 131 (Holly)

Mule Deer Hunting in Unit 131

Where to Find Mule Deer in Unit 131

Cottonwood Bottoms

CRP Fields

Weed Patches and Fence Lines

How to Hunt Mule Deer in Unit 131

Mule Deer Success Rates

Mule Deer Draw Odds

Elk Hunting in Unit 131

Where to Find Elk in Unit 131

Piney Ridge and Aspen Parks

Valley Fringe Areas

How to Hunt Elk in Unit 131

Elk Success Rates

Elk Draw Odds

Pronghorn Hunting in Unit 131

Where to Find Pronghorn in Unit 131

How to Hunt Pronghorn in Unit 131

Pronghorn Success Rates

Pronghorn Draw Odds

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Explore Related Units

Unit 135 — Mule Deer

Unit 134 — Pronghorn

Frequently Asked Questions

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Sources & Verification