Colorado Moose Elk

Unit 361

Colorado Hunting Guide — Moose, Elk

Unit 361 sits along the South Platte River corridor in Park and Jefferson counties, offering one of Colorado's few moose hunting opportunities on the Front Range side of the mountains. Willows along the river bottoms and beaver ponds provide ideal moose habitat. Tags are extremely limited and highly sought-after through the draw.

View Draw Odds Colorado Hunting Guide

Moose Hunting in Unit 361

Where to Find Moose in Unit 361

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How to Hunt Moose in Unit 361

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Moose Success Rates

any legal weapon85%

Moose success rates in Colorado are consistently high — typically above 80% for hunters who draw a tag. Unit 361 follows this trend, though the riparian terrain can make recovery and pack-out physically demanding.

Moose Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Any Legal Method— 1st Season	1	45	2.2%	3

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Moose tags in Unit 361 are extremely limited. Residents typically need 10–15 preference points; non-residents face even longer waits. Apply early and accumulate points.

Elk Hunting in Unit 361

Unit 361 covers the South Park watershed and Platte River headwaters in Park County, offering elk hunting across a landscape of open basin meadows, aspen-fringed slopes, and spruce-fir drainages. This central Colorado unit produces quality bulls in an accessible setting with a mix of public land and private ranches.

Where to Find Elk in Unit 361

Elk in Unit 361 summer on the timbered north slopes and alpine meadows above 10,000 feet, then descend to the South Park basin floor and aspen edges as fall arrives. Focus on the transition zones between spruce-fir timber and the open grass parks at first and last light.

The drainages feeding the South Platte River headwaters hold elk throughout the season, with bulls concentrating near wallows and seeps in September during the rut.

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How to Hunt Elk in Unit 361

Glass South Park's open terrain from elevated positions before sunrise to locate feeding elk before they retreat to timber. During September, aggressive calling in the timbered drainages above the basin floor can bring rutting bulls into range.

For rifle seasons, work travel corridors between the high-country bedding timber and the grass parks where elk feed in the evening. First and last light are most productive, especially after opening-day pressure pushes elk into predictable patterns.

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Elk Success Rates

Rifle19%

Unit 361 elk rifle success typically runs 15-25%, in line with central Colorado draw units. Archery success is lower at 8-12%. Early-season tags before concentrated pressure provide the best quality bull opportunities.

Elk Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— 1st Season	19	12	100.0%	0

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Unit 361 elk tags are allocated through the CPW preference-point draw. Central Colorado basin units like 361 generally fall in the mid-tier point requirements; consult the current CPW draw recap for specific hunt codes.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

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Road Conditions

Paved and maintained county roads to trailheads; some high-clearance 4WD roads

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Terrain Difficulty

Moderate — river bottom and willow flats with steep approach terrain

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Hunting Pressure

Very low — few tags issued annually

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Cell Service

Limited in valleys; better on ridge tops

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Nearest Town

Fairplay, CO (approx. 20 miles)

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many moose tags are issued for Unit 361?

CPW issues very few moose tags per unit annually — typically single digits. Competition is extreme and preference points are required.

When is the moose rut in Unit 361?

The moose rut typically peaks from late September through mid-October. Bulls become more visible and responsive to calling during this period.

What habitat should I focus on in Unit 361?

Focus on willow riparian corridors along the South Platte and its tributaries, especially near beaver ponds and slow-moving side channels.

Is Unit 361 a draw-only elk unit?

Yes. Unit 361 elk tags are allocated through the CPW preference-point draw. Verify current regulations for available hunt codes and point requirements.

What weapon seasons are available in Unit 361?

Colorado typically offers archery, muzzleloader, and multiple rifle seasons for elk in Unit 361. Each has different hunt codes and point requirements — check the current CPW brochure.

How does South Park terrain affect elk hunting in Unit 361?

The open basin floor provides excellent glassing opportunities, while the surrounding timbered slopes give elk refuge during pressure. Learning to use the transition zones at first and last light is key to success.

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Sources & Verification

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

CPW Big Game Hunting — Colorado Parks and Wildlife · supports: Season structure, License types · accessed 2026-04-18
CPW Big Game Statistics — Colorado Parks and Wildlife · supports: Harvest data, Hunter success rates · accessed 2026-04-18
CPW Big Game Draw — Colorado Parks and Wildlife · supports: Preference-point draw process, Tag allocation · accessed 2026-04-18