Unit 16 (Steamboat Springs / Elk River)

Pronghorn in GMU 16 use the lower sagebrush benches and open rangeland of the Routt County valleys, occupying distinctly different terrain than the unit's moose and elk populations.

Sagebrush Benches

Focus on the sage-dominated lower elevation areas of GMU 16, particularly the wide valley floors and benchland north and west of Steamboat Springs. Pronghorn are visible from county roads during morning and evening feeding periods.

Mixed Private and Public Land

Pronghorn in this part of Routt County range across both private ranch land and BLM parcels. Identify public land boundaries before your hunt using the CPW Hunting Atlas to plan legal approach routes.

Pronghorn hunting in GMU 16 follows the same spot-and-stalk principles as any Colorado sage-country unit, with the added challenge of finding adequate public land access.

Road Glassing Strategy

Drive county roads in the lower valley areas at first and last light, glassing sage benches for pronghorn. Identify bucks by their larger body size and dark facial markings before planning a stalk on identified public ground.

September Rut

The September rut brings bucks into the open herding does on sagebrush flats — the most productive window for locating and approaching trophy bucks in the open country surrounding Steamboat Springs.

We glass at first and last light, stalk on the wind, and hunt doe groups during rut-timed late rifle windows. Aspen edges and rimrock transitions concentrate bucks in October and November.

Unit 16 elk use a seasonal migration pattern driven by weather and hunting pressure. Early-season animals occupy the high country; late-season hunting focuses on lower timber and drainages.

Archery Season (August-September)

During archery season, bull elk hold in high-elevation aspen parks, timbered north-facing slopes, and near secluded meadows. Locate wallows in the timber edges and glass open parks at first and last light. Bulls are vocal during the rut and respond to cow calls and bugles from mid-September through early October.

Rifle Season (October-November)

Rifle pressure pushes elk into heavier timber and brushy canyon bottoms. Focus on timbered north-facing slopes, aspen groves with dense understory, and draws that connect high and low terrain. Elk move during low-light periods — be in position before dawn.

Water Sources and Feed

Alpine springs, beaver ponds, and small creeks hold elk during summer and early fall. Late-season elk feed heavily on residual grasses in south-facing meadows and oakbrush-edge areas that hold forage after higher elevations freeze.

Unit 16 elk hunting rewards hunters who understand Colorado's elk behavior and invest in pre-season scouting and in-season persistence.

Pre-Season Scouting

Use CPW's Hunting Atlas and Google Earth to identify timbered north-facing drainages, water sources, wallows, and open parks within Unit 16. August scouting — either in person or via trail camera — identifies specific bulls and their home ranges before the season opens.

Archery Calling

September archery hunters should target wallow sites and elk concentrations in aspen parks. A locator bugle at first light identifies responsive bulls. Set up downwind of the expected approach and use cow calls or soft raking to draw bulls into range. Patience is critical — let the bull commit before drawing.

Rifle Season Strategy

On opening morning, position yourself before first light on terrain overlooking known travel routes and feeding areas. Elk move from timber to feeding areas at dawn and return before full light. After the opener, pressure shifts elk into heavier cover — focus subsequent days on slow, wind-careful still-hunting in dense timber.

Public Land Pressure Management

Unit 16 receives hunting pressure on public land. Getting farther from trailheads and roads — even 1-2 miles — dramatically reduces competition. Use a pack frame and plan for a kill at distance. Hunters willing to pack out game access less-pressured elk compared to those hunting within easy drag distance of a vehicle.

Unit 16 moose are concentrated in willow-choked riparian habitat and high-country parks where browse is abundant year-round.

Willow Flats and Beaver Ponds

Moose are riparian specialists — they concentrate in willow and alder thickets along streams and around beaver ponds throughout the season. These areas hold moose at all hours. Glass widely across willow flats from elevated positions at dawn and dusk for the best visibility.

High-Country Parks and Wet Meadows

Above 9,000 feet, moose use wet meadows, high parks, and alpine willow zones during summer and early fall. These open-country animals are often visible from distance, especially in the morning hours when they're actively feeding.

Spruce-Fir Forest Edges

Bull moose bed in spruce-fir forest adjacent to their feeding areas. During the September-October rut, bulls are more active and vocal. Cow calls can bring bulls out of timber and into the open during peak rut activity. A bull in rut may respond aggressively to antler raking and grunting.

Colorado moose hunting requires patience, the right terrain, and an understanding of moose behavior in the southern Rockies.

Glassing Riparian Habitat

Set up on elevated terrain overlooking willow flats and beaver ponds before first light. A 15x binocular or spotting scope covers large riparian areas quickly. Moose are large animals — once spotted, plan your approach using stream channels and willows for cover.

Rut Calling (September-October)

Bull moose are aggressive during the September-October rut. Cow calls, antler raking on brush, and bull grunts can draw bulls out of timber and into the open. Start with cow calls at long range to locate a responsive bull, then close the distance while continuing to call. An aggressive bull may close the distance quickly — be ready.

Post-Kill Planning

A moose is one of Colorado's largest animals — a mature bull can exceed 1,000 lbs. Have your pack-out plan established before you pull the trigger. Quarter the animal in the field, cache meat in a cool, shaded location, and plan for multiple pack trips or a pack string. Secure a meat haul strategy before the hunt.

Unit 16 mule deer follow a traditional two-season pattern between high summer range and lower winter terrain.

Early Season (Archery and Early Rifle)

In early fall, bucks hold at or above timberline and in the upper aspen-spruce zones. Glass from high vantage points into open parks and above-timber basins at dawn. Velvet bucks are predictable in their summer routine and often visible in the same locations for days at a time.

Rut Movement (October)

October rifle seasons align with Colorado's mule deer pre-rut. Bucks begin cruising the sagebrush and aspen terrain looking for does, making them visible throughout the day. Focus on doe groups and travel corridors between high and low terrain during the rut peak.

Winter Range and Sagebrush Flats

By late October and November, deer drop to sagebrush plateaus and canyon-bottom winter range. Canyon rims and talus slopes hold mature bucks that retreat from pressure into rugged terrain. These animals require committed stalking in steep country.

Hunting Unit 16 mule deer effectively requires understanding the seasonal patterns of Colorado deer and applying pressure-management tactics appropriate for the terrain.

Pre-Season Glassing

Invest time glassing Unit 16 in late August and early September when bucks are still in velvet and in summer patterns. Identify target bucks and memorize their terrain features. Velvet bucks are the most predictable — late August is the best time to find a specific animal before the season.

October Rut Hunting

Colorado's October rifle seasons are timed perfectly for the mule deer pre-rut and rut. Bucks abandon their tight summer ranges and cruise the terrain in search of does. Hunt all day during the peak rut — midday movement can be as good as dawn and dusk when bucks are actively covering ground.

Wind and Approach

Mule deer rely on their nose as much as their eyes. Hunt with the thermals — in mountain terrain, thermals rise as the day warms and fall at dawn and dusk. Plan your approach routes to keep wind in your favor at the time of day you're hunting each specific terrain feature.

Unit 16 pronghorn are distributed across the open country of this portion of Colorado. Pronghorn are creatures of open terrain and are typically visible from distance — the challenge is accessing them on legal ground.

Open Grassland and Sage Flats

Pronghorn use shortgrass prairie, native sage, and annual grass habitat. Glass widely from elevated positions at dawn to locate herds before they disperse. In fall, pronghorn congregate in herds of 10-50 animals, making initial spotting straightforward.

Agricultural Fields

Pronghorn feed in dryland wheat and alfalfa fields in agricultural areas bordering open range. Herds move between open range bedding areas and fields — glass from roads at dawn and dusk to locate feeding animals. Confirm land ownership before approaching in agricultural landscapes.

Water Sources

Stock tanks and ephemeral water sources concentrate pronghorn, especially in dry conditions. Locate water on public land within Unit 16 for reliable observation points. Pronghorn visit water predictably in early morning and late afternoon during warm conditions.

Colorado pronghorn hunting in Unit 16 is a mix of long-range glassing, vehicle-assisted spotting, and spot-and-stalk across open terrain.

Pre-Hunt Preparation

The single most important preparation for a successful Unit 16 pronghorn hunt is confirming legal access. Map all public land (BLM, SWA, PLOTS) before your hunt. Contact ranchers early — August or September — to request permission for any private land parcels you want to hunt.

Glass-and-Stalk

Spot pronghorn from elevated road shoulders or high points at dawn. Once a target buck is identified on accessible land, commit to a careful stalk using terrain — draws, rises, and sparse vegetation — to close distance. Pronghorn have exceptional long-range vision; approach from behind terrain features and stay low in the final approach.

Water Sources and Ambush

Stock tanks and water developments on public land can concentrate pronghorn — especially in dry conditions. A well-placed sit near water with a favorable wind can produce point-blank shots at running distances. A blind or low-profile setup near a water source is effective when direct stalks are impossible due to terrain.