Unit 99

Mule deer in GMU 99 inhabit the oakbrush and pinyon-juniper mesas of the Uncompahgre Plateau, using the canyon rims and deep draws as thermal cover and travel corridors.

Early Season Bucks

In archery season, mature bucks are in velvet on the higher oak and aspen edges. Glass from the mesa rims at first light — bucks feed in the open before retreating to oakbrush beds by mid-morning. The plateau's north-facing slopes are most productive in warm September conditions.

Rifle Season

The October rut pushes bucks into the open on rimrock benches and canyon edges. Focus on the pinyon-juniper transition zones above canyon systems for bucks following does. Morning thermals in the canyons require careful wind management.

The Uncompahgre Plateau's mesa-and-canyon topography rewards hunters who use high points to cover terrain efficiently with glass before committing to approaches.

Glassing Mesa Rims

Position yourself on rim edges above major drainages before first light. The canyon terrain creates consistent thermal patterns — bucks are often visible on opposite canyon walls or below rimrock in the early morning. A quality spotting scope is essential.

Still-Hunting Oakbrush

During midday, still-hunt dense oakbrush patches on north-facing slopes. Move slowly, pause frequently, and watch for ear tips and antler tines above the brush line before deer detect you.

Unit 99 mule deer occupy the plains-grassland landscape of eastern Colorado, using a combination of agricultural fields, sagebrush pastures, and riparian corridors.

Agricultural Fields and Dryland Wheat

Mule deer in plains units feed heavily on dryland wheat stubble, corn residue, and alfalfa during fall. Deer move from bedding cover in CRP grassland, draws, and cattail patches to ag fields at dawn and dusk. Glassing from elevated road shoulders can locate deer in open terrain.

Riparian Corridors and Draws

River and creek drainages provide the primary travel corridors and bedding cover in plains units. Cottonwood and willow riparian zones on public land — including SWA properties — hold deer through the season. Focus morning and evening hunts on these transition zones between open fields and cover.

CRP Ground and Sagebrush Pastures

Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) grassland and native sagebrush provide bedding cover and travel habitat. Check Colorado PLOTS and SWA maps for publicly accessible parcels within Unit 99 before your hunt.

Hunting Unit 99 mule deer effectively requires understanding the seasonal patterns of Colorado deer and applying pressure-management tactics appropriate for the terrain.

Pre-Season Glassing

Invest time glassing Unit 99 in late August and early September when bucks are still in velvet and in summer patterns. Identify target bucks and memorize their terrain features. Velvet bucks are the most predictable — late August is the best time to find a specific animal before the season.

October Rut Hunting

Colorado's October rifle seasons are timed perfectly for the mule deer pre-rut and rut. Bucks abandon their tight summer ranges and cruise the terrain in search of does. Hunt all day during the peak rut — midday movement can be as good as dawn and dusk when bucks are actively covering ground.

Wind and Approach

Mule deer rely on their nose as much as their eyes. Hunt with the thermals — in mountain terrain, thermals rise as the day warms and fall at dawn and dusk. Plan your approach routes to keep wind in your favor at the time of day you're hunting each specific terrain feature.

Unit 99 pronghorn are distributed across the open country of this portion of Colorado. Pronghorn are creatures of open terrain and are typically visible from distance — the challenge is accessing them on legal ground.

Open Grassland and Sage Flats

Pronghorn use shortgrass prairie, native sage, and annual grass habitat. Glass widely from elevated positions at dawn to locate herds before they disperse. In fall, pronghorn congregate in herds of 10-50 animals, making initial spotting straightforward.

Agricultural Fields

Pronghorn feed in dryland wheat and alfalfa fields in agricultural areas bordering open range. Herds move between open range bedding areas and fields — glass from roads at dawn and dusk to locate feeding animals. Confirm land ownership before approaching in agricultural landscapes.

Water Sources

Stock tanks and ephemeral water sources concentrate pronghorn, especially in dry conditions. Locate water on public land within Unit 99 for reliable observation points. Pronghorn visit water predictably in early morning and late afternoon during warm conditions.

Colorado pronghorn hunting in Unit 99 is a mix of long-range glassing, vehicle-assisted spotting, and spot-and-stalk across open terrain.

Pre-Hunt Preparation

The single most important preparation for a successful Unit 99 pronghorn hunt is confirming legal access. Map all public land (BLM, SWA, PLOTS) before your hunt. Contact ranchers early — August or September — to request permission for any private land parcels you want to hunt.

Glass-and-Stalk

Spot pronghorn from elevated road shoulders or high points at dawn. Once a target buck is identified on accessible land, commit to a careful stalk using terrain — draws, rises, and sparse vegetation — to close distance. Pronghorn have exceptional long-range vision; approach from behind terrain features and stay low in the final approach.

Water Sources and Ambush

Stock tanks and water developments on public land can concentrate pronghorn — especially in dry conditions. A well-placed sit near water with a favorable wind can produce point-blank shots at running distances. A blind or low-profile setup near a water source is effective when direct stalks are impossible due to terrain.