Unit 45

Colorado Hunting Guide — Elk, Elk

Unit 45 sits in the rugged mountains of Grand and Eagle counties, covering high-elevation spruce-fir drainages and aspen parks below the Eagle's Nest Wilderness. We see consistent elk numbers here, with three-year draw data showing 161 applicants against 156 tags — a reasonably accessible limited draw. The mix of wilderness roadless core and accessible National Forest fringe makes this unit productive for both archery spot-and-stalk hunters and rifle hunters willing to push into the timber.

View Draw Odds Colorado Hunting Guide

Elk Hunting in Unit 45

Where to Find Elk in Unit 45

Elk in Unit 45 use a classic high-country seasonal pattern across the Eagle's Nest Wilderness boundary and the lower National Forest drainages.

Early Season (Archery — August through September)

Bulls summer in the high basins above 10,500 feet near the Eagle's Nest Wilderness. Focus on north-facing spruce-fir timber pockets and the seeps and wallows that form in the wet alpine meadows. Bugling is most productive in the pre-dawn hours in mid-September.

Rifle Season (October)

Elk shift to the mid-elevation aspen parks between 9,000 and 10,500 feet as weather turns. Key drainages on the east and south sides of the unit funnel elk toward lower winter range. Work the aspen-spruce transition edges at dawn and dusk.

Late Season Concentration

After the first significant snowfall, elk push toward the unit's lower sage and oak brush benches near the Eagle River valley. Late rifle and muzzleloader hunters find elk bunched and predictable in these lower corridors.

How to Hunt Elk in Unit 45

Unit 45 rewards hunters who master both bugling and terrain-based rifle tactics depending on season.

Archery Bugling

We recommend setting up 200-400 yards from a herd and using aggressive location bugles at first light to localize bulls. Work in tight with a cow call once contact is made. The alpine basin heads in the Eagle's Nest drainage concentrate bulls during peak rut in mid-September.

Rifle Glassing Strategy

Park at key trailheads and glass aspen parks from high vantage points at dawn. Elk feed for 20-30 minutes before retreating to timber — identify entry and exit points and close the gap during midday when elk are bedded.

Post-Snow Push

When snow hits the high country, drive the lower unit roads before dawn and glass oak brush benches. Elk move fast during migration and congregate in predictable staging areas at the 8,500-foot contour.

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Elk Success Rates

Rifle19%

Elk Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %
Rifle— 4th Season	22	9	100.0%
Rifle— 2nd Season	72	52	100.0%
Rifle— 3rd Season	32	18	100.0%
Rifle— 4th Season	7	3	100.0%

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Colorado uses a pure preference-point system for limited-license units. Unit 45 elk shows 161 applicants against 156 tags over three years — a competitive but achievable draw. Residents with 3-6 points are typically competitive for first-choice tags. Non-residents face tighter odds. Check the CPW draw statistics for the latest point totals by hunt code.

Elk Hunting in Unit 45

Unit 45 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 9 applicants per year — a low-demand unit with realistic draw prospects, 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 45

Unit 45 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 45

Unit 45 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 45. 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 45 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 45'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— 4th Season	22	9	100.0%
Rifle— 2nd Season	72	52	100.0%
Rifle— 3rd Season	32	18	100.0%
Rifle— 4th Season	7	3	100.0%

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Unit 45 is a lower-demand elk draw unit with approximately 9 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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Camp Sites

Dispersed camping on USFS land. Several developed campgrounds near Gore Creek and the Eagle River corridor.

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Road Conditions

Paved access to main trailheads. Spur roads are rough gravel and may require 4WD after rain.

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Terrain Difficulty

Strenuous. Elevation 8,000-12,500 feet. Steep drainages and wilderness backcountry.

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Hunting Pressure

Moderate. Wilderness core sees low pressure; accessible trailhead areas receive more.

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Weather

Expect 15-45F during rifle seasons. Afternoon thunderstorms common in archery season. Early snow possible in late September.

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Cell Service

Limited to none in backcountry. Satellite communicator recommended.

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Nearest Town

Kremmling or Eagle

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many preference points do I need for Unit 45 elk?

Unit 45 elk draws at roughly even odds based on recent data (161 applicants, 156 tags). Residents with 2-5 points are typically competitive. Non-residents should plan for 4-8 points. Always verify current point requirements in the CPW draw statistics.

Is Unit 45 accessible for a DIY backcountry elk hunt?

Yes. Multiple USFS trailheads provide access into the Eagle's Nest Wilderness. We recommend a pack-in camp for archery season to get away from road pressure. Horse and mule access is popular here for gear-heavy rifle hunters.

How competitive is the draw for Unit 45 elk?

Unit 45 elk draw competitiveness depends on the specific hunt code (weapon type, season, sex restriction). With approximately 9 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 45?

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 45. 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 45 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 Hunting Atlas — GMU 45 — Colorado Parks and Wildlife / CSU NREL · supports: GMU boundary geometry, Public land ownership layer, Migration corridors and severe winter range · accessed 2026-04-17
Colorado Big Game Hunting Brochure (Current Cycle) — Colorado Parks and Wildlife · supports: Season dates, License type structure, Tag quotas per hunt code · 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 preference point data · accessed 2026-04-17
Colorado Big Game Hunting — Colorado Parks and Wildlife · supports: Season dates, Unit 45 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