Unit 42 (Vail / Tenmile)

Colorado Hunting Guide — Elk, Elk

Unit 42 covers the high country between Vail and Frisco, straddling the Tenmile Range and Gore Range foothills. White River National Forest dominates, with elevations from 8,000 feet in the Eagle River valley to 13,000+ feet on Gore peaks. Elk tag quotas are generous relative to applicants.

View Draw Odds Colorado Hunting Guide

Elk Hunting in Unit 42

Where to Find Elk in Unit 42

Unit 42 elk move vertically with snow and pressure more than any other variable.

Archery

Bulls hold in the spruce-fir at 10,500-12,000 feet near Vail Pass and along the Gore Range east slope. Wallows below Copper Mountain fire up consistently.

Early Rifle

First rifle finds elk still high in timber above Officers Gulch and the Blue River drainage. Late bugling is common at elevation.

Late Rifle and Snow

Third and fourth rifle push elk into the aspen-oakbrush transition near Wolcott and the Eagle River corridor as snow stacks up.

How to Hunt Elk in Unit 42

Unit 42 rewards hunters who embrace altitude and read weather closely.

Wilderness Backpack

Eagles Nest Wilderness access from the Meadow Creek or Gore Creek trailheads puts hunters into lightly-pressured basins at 11,000+ feet.

Snow-Triggered Push

Stage gear at mid-elevation camps near FSR 701. When the first major snow lands, shift downslope to intercept migrating elk.

Vehicle Access

Shrine Pass (FSR 709) and Red Sandstone Road (FSR 700) open alpine basins to hunters without wilderness gear.

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Elk Success Rates

Rifle19%

Unit 42 elk success runs 15-22% for rifle, 8-12% for archery, and 12-16% for muzzleloader. Late seasons with snowfall regularly boost rifle success above 25%.

Elk Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %
Rifle— 2nd Season	202	106	100.0%
Rifle— 5th Season	229	139	100.0%
Rifle— 3rd Season	123	69	100.0%
Rifle— 4th Season	42	16	100.0%

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Colorado preference points apply. Unit 42 bull rifle typically draws with 0-3 points for residents; cow tags often leftover. Non-residents face tighter odds with the 35% cap.

Elk Hunting in Unit 42

Unit 42 is situated in Colorado's Western Slope — characterized by deep canyon systems, sagebrush plateaus, and high-country aspen and spruce, offering a Colorado elk hunting opportunity characterized by sagebrush plateaus, canyon rims, and aspen-covered benches typical of Western Slope Colorado. With approximately 63 applicants per year, this unit provides hunters with a legitimate shot at drawing a tag through Colorado's preference-point system. Colorado Parks and Wildlife manages the elk herd under a Data Analysis Unit (DAU) framework to balance harvest with long-term population objectives.

Where to Find Elk in Unit 42

Unit 42 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.

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How to Hunt Elk in Unit 42

Unit 42 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 42. 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 42 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.

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Elk Success Rates

Rifle19%

Colorado elk harvest success varies significantly by unit, weapon type, and season timing. Rifle hunters average 15-25% success statewide, with archery running lower at 8-12%. Limited-entry units with lower pressure typically see higher success rates than OTC units. Unit 42's success rate depends on tag type and hunt timing. Check current CPW Elk Hunt Statistics for unit-specific harvest data.

Elk Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %
Rifle— 2nd Season	202	106	100.0%
Rifle— 5th Season	229	139	100.0%
Rifle— 3rd Season	123	69	100.0%
Rifle— 4th Season	42	16	100.0%

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Unit 42 is a lower-demand elk draw unit with approximately 63 applicants per year. Colorado uses a preference-point weighted draw — applicants with accumulated points gain access to the preference pool for better odds. Check CPW Draw Odds statistics for current point requirements by hunt code. Both first-choice and second-choice applications are worth filing for this unit.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

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Trailer Access

Yes — I-70 and CO-91 are paved throughout. Developed campgrounds at Gore Creek and Heaton Bay handle trailers up to 35 feet.

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Water

Excellent. Eagle River, Blue River, Gore Creek, and dozens of alpine drainages flow year-round.

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Road Conditions

I-70 and CO-91 paved; FSR 700 and FSR 709 are maintained gravel. 4WD needed for two-tracks off Shrine Pass and Vail Pass.

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Terrain Difficulty

Difficult. Elevations 8,000-13,000 feet with steep timber and alpine. Altitude demands acclimation.

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Hunting Pressure

Moderate to heavy on road corridors during first rifle; backcountry wilderness areas stay quieter.

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Weather

Early-season snow common at elevation. Expect 10-60F rifle season, with temperature drops of 30F overnight.

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Cell Service

Good along I-70 and near Vail/Frisco. Spotty once you leave the interstate corridor.

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Nearest Town

Vail (population ~5,000), Frisco (~3,200), Silverthorne (~5,000) — all with full services including lodging and outfitter shops.

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Permit Notes

Most Unit 42 licenses are limited. Watch CPW leftover lists in August for late-season cow tags.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hunt Unit 42 as a flatlander?

Yes, but altitude is real. Arrive 3-5 days early to acclimate above 9,000 feet. Plan conservative vertical mileage the first day in the field.

How much Unit 42 is public?

Roughly 75-80% is public land, dominated by White River National Forest and Eagles Nest Wilderness. Private parcels cluster in the Eagle River valley floor.

How competitive is the draw for Unit 42 elk?

Unit 42 elk draw competitiveness depends on the specific hunt code (weapon type, season, sex restriction). With approximately 63 applicants per year, check CPW's Draw Odds statistics for current point requirements by hunt code. Colorado's preference-point system rewards consistent annual applications — apply every year to accumulate points.

How much public land is available in Unit 42?

Colorado's mountain GMUs typically contain significant USFS and BLM public land. Use CPW's Hunting Atlas (accessible at ndismaps.nrel.colostate.edu) to view the land ownership layers for Unit 42. The atlas shows BLM, USFS, State Land Board, and private land boundaries — essential for planning legal access to hunting areas.

What rifle caliber should I use for Unit 42 elk?

Colorado mountain elk country can produce shots at any range from 50 to 500+ yards depending on terrain. A flat-shooting caliber in the .270, .30-06, 7mm Rem Mag, or .300 Win Mag range covers the range of shot opportunities. Practice at field-realistic distances (200-400 yards) before the hunt. A quality bolt-action rifle with a 3-9x or 4-14x scope is the standard tool for Colorado elk.

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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 Statistics — Colorado Parks and Wildlife · supports: Unit 42 elk harvest totals, Weapon-type success rates, Multi-year population trend · accessed 2026-04-17
White River National Forest — USDA Forest Service · supports: White River NF boundaries in Unit 42, Eagles Nest Wilderness access, Dispersed camping rules · accessed 2026-04-17
CPW Big Game Draw — Colorado Parks and Wildlife · supports: Preference-point draw mechanics, Unit 42 hunt codes, Leftover tag system · accessed 2026-04-17
Colorado Big Game Hunting — Colorado Parks and Wildlife · supports: Season dates, Unit 42 boundary, Tag allocation, Regulations · accessed 2026-04-18
Colorado Draw Odds Statistics — Colorado Parks and Wildlife · supports: Applicant counts, Draw odds data, Preference point requirements · accessed 2026-04-18