Colorado Elk Mule Deer

Unit 471 (Roaring Fork)

Colorado Hunting Guide — Elk, Mule Deer

Unit 471 covers the Roaring Fork River drainage in Pitkin and Eagle Counties, with 70% public land on the White River NF. The terrain between Aspen and Glenwood Springs features steep oakbrush slopes, dark timber ridges, and alpine basins that hold strong elk numbers. Pressure is high near the Roaring Fork valley towns, but the steep terrain above rewards fit hunters.

View Draw Odds Colorado Hunting Guide

Elk Hunting in Unit 471

Where to Find Elk in Unit 471

Elk in Unit 471 distribute across the Roaring Fork drainage from the valley floor near Carbondale to the alpine ridges above Aspen.

Archery Season (August-September)

During archery season, bulls hold in the high timber above 10,000 feet in the White River NF above the Roaring Fork valley. Focus on wallows and alpine meadow edges in the spruce-fir transition.

Rifle Season (October-November)

Once rifle pressure builds in the Roaring Fork valley, elk shift into the thick oakbrush benches and dark timber draws between 7,500-10,000 feet. The steep drainages feeding the Roaring Fork River concentrate elk in travel corridors.

Water and Feed

Elk depend on the Roaring Fork River, Crystal River, and numerous tributaries flowing through the White River NF. Springs in the timber provide water at higher elevations.

How to Hunt Elk in Unit 471

Unit 471 rewards hunters who climb above the Roaring Fork valley into the oakbrush-to-timber transition zones.

Glassing the Openings

The mountain parks and aspen openings above the Roaring Fork valley offer good glassing. Set up on ridgelines between Aspen and Carbondale at first and last light.

Calling and the Rut

September archery hunters should bugle the White River NF timber above 9,500 feet along the Roaring Fork drainage. Bulls respond to location bugles in the quiet morning hours.

Still-Hunting Timber

During rifle season, slow-hunt the oakbrush and aspen draws above the Roaring Fork valley on snowy days. Focus on transition zones between oakbrush and dark timber.

Access Strategy

Access via CO 82 between Aspen and Glenwood Springs, then forest roads into the NF. Trailheads along the Roaring Fork provide backcountry access. Getting above the valley floor is critical.

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Elk Success Rates

Rifle19%

Unit 471 elk success rates have been steady over recent seasons. Rifle hunters average 17-21% success, with archery sitting around 8-10%. Muzzleloader falls between at 11-14%. Success tends to spike in years with early October snowfall that pushes elk into predictable travel corridors and feeding areas at lower elevations.

Elk Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %
Rifle— 4th Season	2	0	100.0%
Rifle— 5th Season	2	0	100.0%
Rifle— 2nd Season	9	3	100.0%
Rifle— 4th Season	1	0	100.0%
Rifle— 3rd Season	4	1	100.0%

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Unit 471 elk tags: Residents can expect first-choice rifle tags with 5-10 points, while non-residents typically need a few more. Second-choice options for archery and muzzleloader are accessible with 1-5 points. A practical unit for hunters building points.

Mule Deer Hunting in Unit 471

Unit 471 provides mule deer hunting in the Roaring Fork drainage between Aspen and Glenwood Springs in Pitkin and Eagle Counties, with 70% public land. The oakbrush benches, aspen draws, and dark timber of the White River NF create productive buck habitat. Pressure is high near valley towns but quality bucks hide in the steep terrain above.

Where to Find Mule Deer in Unit 471

Mule deer in Unit 471 use the full elevation range from the Roaring Fork valley at 6,000 feet to the alpine edges above 12,000 feet.

Early Season (September-October)

Bucks hold in the higher aspen and spruce-fir zones above the Roaring Fork valley, feeding in meadow edges and bedding in timber. Glass south-facing oakbrush slopes at first light.

Rifle Season and the Rut (October-November)

As the rut approaches, bucks move to mid-elevation oakbrush and aspen zones above Carbondale and Basalt. Focus on doe groups near the Roaring Fork and Crystal River drainages.

Water and Terrain

The Roaring Fork River, Crystal River, and NF tributaries provide abundant water. Springs concentrate deer at higher elevations.

How to Hunt Mule Deer in Unit 471

Mule deer hunting in Unit 471 centers on the oakbrush-to-aspen transitions above the Roaring Fork valley.

Spot-and-Stalk Glassing

The oakbrush benches and aspen draws above Carbondale and Basalt reward dedicated glassers. Set up on ridgelines at dawn.

Hunting the Rut

During the November rut, bucks cruise the oakbrush openings above the Roaring Fork valley. Glass doe groups and watch for cruising bucks.

Ambush Points

Saddles between drainages, creek crossings on the Crystal River, and trail junctions in the NF funnel deer.

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Mule Deer Success Rates

Rifle28%

Mule deer success rates in Unit 471 run around 28-35% for rifle hunters, with archery at 12-18%. The rut-timed fourth rifle season typically produces the highest success as bucks drop their guard. Years with good summer moisture grow better browse and concentrate deer in predictable habitat.

Mule Deer Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— 1st Season	21	28	75.0%	0

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Unit 471 mule deer tags: Residents typically need 3-7 preference points for first-choice rifle, with archery accessible at 0-3 points. The unit offers reasonable draw odds for hunters building a medium-term point strategy.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

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RV Sites

Limited near Carbondale and Basalt. NF campgrounds along the Crystal River.

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Camp Sites

Dispersed camping on White River NF throughout. Developed campgrounds along the Crystal River and near Redstone.

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Trailer Access

Short trailers on forest roads. CO 82 and CO 133 are paved.

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Water

Roaring Fork River, Crystal River, NF tributaries. Abundant. Always filter.

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Road Conditions

CO 82 and CO 133 paved. Forest roads maintained through October. 4WD for spur roads.

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Terrain Difficulty

Moderate to strenuous. Elevation 6,000-12,000 feet. Steep oakbrush, aspen, dark timber.

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Hunting Pressure

High near Roaring Fork valley. Moderate in backcountry above 8,500 feet.

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Weather

Expect 15-45F during rifle season. Snow common October onward. Heavy snowfall area.

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Cell Service

Good in Roaring Fork valley towns. Limited in backcountry. Satellite communicator recommended.

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Nearest Town

Carbondale

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many preference points do I need for Unit 471 elk?

Unit 471 elk draw odds vary by weapon type. Residents can expect first-choice rifle tags with 5-10 points, while non-residents typically need a few more. Check the CPW draw statistics for the most current point requirements.

What is the best season to hunt elk in Unit 471?

Archery season offers the best bugling action in September, while second and third rifle seasons in October provide the highest harvest rates. Late season can be productive if snow pushes elk to lower elevations in the Grand Mesa plateau area.

Is Unit 471 good for a DIY elk hunt?

Yes. With 70% public land in the Grand Mesa National Forest, Unit 471 supports DIY hunts. Success requires physical fitness, pre-season scouting, and willingness to get away from roads into the flat-topped mesa with dense spruce-fir, aspen groves, oakbrush lower slopes.

When is the best time to hunt mule deer in Unit 471?

The November rut during fourth rifle season typically produces the best buck movement. Early rifle seasons offer less competition. Archery hunters find good opportunity in September before pressure builds across the Grand Mesa plateau area.

What kind of bucks can I expect in Unit 471?

Trophy quality is average for Colorado. Most harvested bucks are 3x3 to 4x4 class, with occasional larger bucks taken by hunters working the remote areas of the flat-topped mesa with dense spruce-fir, aspen groves, oakbrush lower slopes.

How much public land is in Unit 471 for deer hunting?

Approximately 70% of Unit 471 is publicly accessible through Grand Mesa National Forest and BLM lands. Check the CPW atlas and a GPS mapping app for exact boundaries before hunting.

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Sources & Verification

Every fact on this page is tied to a primary source below. Last fact-checked 2026-04-16.

Colorado Big Game Hunting Brochure (Current Cycle) — Colorado Parks and Wildlife · supports: Big game season dates (archery/muzzleloader/rifle), License type structure (limited vs OTC), GMU boundaries and special regulations, Tag quotas per hunt code · accessed 2026-04-16
CPW Elk Conservation and Management — Colorado Parks and Wildlife · supports: Elk herd management plans (DAU), Population objectives per DAU, Herd composition targets · accessed 2026-04-16
CPW Elk Hunt Statistics — Colorado Parks and Wildlife · supports: Per-GMU harvest totals (most recent season), Hunter success rates by season and hunt code, Population estimates per DAU · accessed 2026-04-16
CPW Hunting Atlas — GMU 471 — Colorado Parks and Wildlife / CSU NREL · supports: GMU boundary geometry, Public land (BLM/USFS/SLB) ownership layer, Migration corridors + severe winter range, Walk-in Access areas · accessed 2026-04-16
Colorado Elk Unit 471 Profile — GOHunt · supports: Hunter-community unit profile, Historical draw odds snapshot, Public-access overview · accessed 2026-04-16
CPW Mule Deer Conservation and Management — Colorado Parks and Wildlife · supports: Mule Deer herd management plans (DAU), Population objectives per DAU, Herd composition targets · accessed 2026-04-16
CPW Mule Deer Hunt Statistics — Colorado Parks and Wildlife · supports: Per-GMU harvest totals (most recent season), Hunter success rates by season and hunt code, Population estimates per DAU · accessed 2026-04-16
Colorado Mule Deer Unit 471 Profile — GOHunt · supports: Hunter-community unit profile, Historical draw odds snapshot, Public-access overview · accessed 2026-04-16

Unit 471 (Roaring Fork)

Elk Hunting in Unit 471

Where to Find Elk in Unit 471

Archery Season (August-September)

Rifle Season (October-November)

Water and Feed

How to Hunt Elk in Unit 471

Elk Success Rates

Elk Draw Odds

Mule Deer Hunting in Unit 471

Where to Find Mule Deer in Unit 471

Early Season (September-October)

Rifle Season and the Rut (October-November)

Water and Terrain

How to Hunt Mule Deer in Unit 471

Mule Deer Success Rates

Mule Deer Draw Odds

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Explore Related Units

Unit 15 — Elk

Unit 54 — Elk

Unit 471 — Mule Deer

Frequently Asked Questions

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Sources & Verification