Unit 73

Colorado Hunting Guide — Elk, Elk

Colorado GMU 73 offers an elk hunting opportunity managed by Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW). Limited-draw elk tags are allocated through CPW's preference-point draw; some seasons may also offer OTC or leftover opportunities. This page is our starting reference for Unit 73 before diving into CPW's statistics, hunting atlas, and current-year elk regulations.

View Draw Odds Colorado Hunting Guide

Elk Hunting in Unit 73

Where to Find Elk in Unit 73

We use the CPW Hunting Atlas to find USFS parcels, migration corridors, and severe winter range within Unit 73. Elk work dark timber, aspen benches, and oak-brush transitions — we scout those areas between summer and winter range before the hunt.

How to Hunt Elk in Unit 73

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Elk Success Rates

Rifle19%

Hunter success in Unit 73 varies year to year with weather, tag numbers, and herd trends. We review the most recent CPW Big Game Statistics release for season-by-season success percentages and the three-year rolling average before applying.

Elk Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— 5th Season	6	12	50.0%	0
Rifle— 2nd Season	6	58	10.3%	4
Rifle— 3rd Season	8	28	28.6%	3
Rifle— 4th Season	8	12	66.7%	0

Data from 2021 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Unit 73 elk limited-draw tags are allocated through CPW's pure preference-point draw. Point creep and required points fluctuate with applicant demand and tag quotas; we check the CPW draw summary for the prior cycle before applying.

Elk Hunting in Unit 73

Unit 73 is situated in Colorado's Front Range foothills corridor, offering a Colorado elk hunting opportunity characterized by mixed foothills terrain of ponderosa pine, oak brush, and open parks along the Front Range. With approximately 18 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 73

Unit 73 elk occupy Front Range foothills terrain characterized by ponderosa and mixed conifer forests, open parks, and brushy draws.

Timbered Draws and North-Facing Slopes

Elk in Front Range units prefer timbered north-facing slopes and brushy draws during midday. Glass from elevated ridgelines at dawn and dusk to catch elk in the open. Once rifle season opens, bulls retreat to the densest timber cover available.

Open Parks and Meadow Edges

Elk feed in open parks and meadow edges at dawn and dusk. Focus on the timber-grass transition zones where elk move between bedding cover and feeding areas. September archery hunters should target wallows in aspen groves near park edges.

Lower-Elevation Winter Range

Late-season elk drop to lower elevations as high-country snow deepens. Southern exposures with residual grass and oakbrush hold concentrations of elk by late October through November rifle seasons.

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How to Hunt Elk in Unit 73

Unit 73 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 73. 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 73 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 73'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 %	Pts Req
Rifle— 5th Season	6	12	50.0%	0
Rifle— 2nd Season	6	58	10.3%	4
Rifle— 3rd Season	8	28	28.6%	3
Rifle— 4th Season	8	12	66.7%	0

Data from 2021 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Unit 73 is a lower-demand elk draw unit with approximately 18 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

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I apply for Unit 73 elk?

Unit 73 limited elk tags are issued through CPW's preference-point draw. We apply through the CPW online licensing portal before the annual April deadline.

Is Unit 73 mostly public land?

Unit 73 has significant USFS public land in the San Juan region. We use the CPW Hunting Atlas to confirm exact parcel boundaries before scouting or applying.

How competitive is the draw for Unit 73 elk?

Unit 73 elk draw competitiveness depends on the specific hunt code (weapon type, season, sex restriction). With approximately 18 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.

Where can I access public land in Unit 73?

Unit 73 contains a mix of USFS, BLM, and private land typical of Colorado's Front Range region. Use CPW's Hunting Atlas to view land ownership and access layers before your hunt. State Wildlife Area (SWA) properties also provide public hunting access within or adjacent to many Front Range units.

What rifle caliber should I use for Unit 73 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 Hunting — Colorado Parks and Wildlife · supports: Elk season structure, License types · accessed 2026-04-17
CPW Big Game Statistics — Colorado Parks and Wildlife · supports: Per-GMU harvest totals, Hunter success rates · accessed 2026-04-17
CPW Big Game Draw — Colorado Parks and Wildlife · supports: Preference-point draw, Tag allocation · accessed 2026-04-17
Colorado Big Game Hunting — Colorado Parks and Wildlife · supports: Season dates, Unit 73 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

Unit 73

Elk Hunting in Unit 73

Where to Find Elk in Unit 73

How to Hunt Elk in Unit 73

Elk Success Rates

Elk Draw Odds

Elk Hunting in Unit 73

Where to Find Elk in Unit 73

Timbered Draws and North-Facing Slopes

Open Parks and Meadow Edges

Lower-Elevation Winter Range

How to Hunt Elk in Unit 73

Pre-Season Scouting

Archery Calling

Rifle Season Strategy

Public Land Pressure Management

Elk Success Rates

Elk Draw Odds

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

Permit Notes

Frequently Asked Questions

Plan Your Hunt with ProHunt Pro+AI

Sources & Verification