Colorado Unit 86 Hunting Information

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Overview of CO GMU 86 Hunting Facts

The western border of unit 86 is the backbone of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains north of Great Sand Dunes National Preserve. Most of the foothills and the Wet Mountain Valley below are privately owned. Hunters have good chances to see mature bulls and bucks in this unit. For more Colorado Unit 86 hunting information, check out the Info for Cities Near Unit 86 section on the right.

CO Unit 86 Species Hunting Info

Unit 86 Mule Deer
Unit 86 Elk
Unit 86 Antelope

INFO: Mule Deer Hunting in Colorado Unit 86

Mule deer are typically seen near the high reaches of the San Isabel National Forest and the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness during the early seasons and start migrating down to lower elevations as the weather starts to get colder. Be aware that hunting in the high country can be strenuous. Tags drawn in this season are also valid in units: 69, 84, 691, 86.
SUCCESS RATES for Mule Deer Hunting in Colorado Unit 86
5 Year Estimated Average for Deer
Archery 32%
Muzzleloader 30%
Early Rifle 57%
2nd Rifle 44%
3rd Rifle 45%
Mule Deer TROPHY QUALITY for Unit 86 Colorado
Average Quality 150″ – 170″
Trophy Potential 170″+
Buck to Doe Ratio 23:100
Colorado Unit 86 Mule Deer Hunting FORUM Coming Soon!

INFO: Elk Hunting in Colorado Unit 86

Unit 86 is not managed for trophy class bulls, but there have been hunters with good success in this unit. Look for elk near grassy meadows in aspen groves and on steep slopes covered by spruces and firs. Hunt near water sources during the dryer seasons. Keep in mind that bulls must have at least four points on one antler to be legal to harvest.
SUCCESS RATES for Elk Hunting in Colorado Unit 86
5 Year Estimated Average for Elk
Archery 7%
Muzzleloader 15%
1st Rifle 20%
2nd Rifle 17%
3rd Rifle 13%
4th Rifle 11%
Elk TROPHY QUALITY for Unit 86 Colorado
Average Quality 240″ – 280″
Trophy Potential 290″+
Bull to Cow Ratio 20:100
Colorado Unit 86 Elk Hunting FORUM Coming Soon!

INFO: Antelope Hunting in Colorado Unit 86

Antelope tend to be seen near low flats, farm ground and rolling sagebrush hills in the southeast part of unit 86. Public access is limited in this unit, so be aware of property boundaries when out scouting. Try to contact landowners early to secure permission to hunt their land.
SUCCESS RATES for Antelope Hunting in Colorado Unit 86
5 Year Estimated Average for Antelope
Archery 14%
Muzzleloader 42%
Rifle 57%
Antelope TROPHY QUALITY for Unit 86 Colorado
Average Quality 65″ – 70″
Trophy Potential 70″+
Buck to Doe Ratio 27:100
Colorado Unit 86 Antelope Hunting FORUM Coming Soon!

Available Hunts for Colorado Unit 86

No data found!

Total Acreage: 316,160 acres over 494 square miles

Total Public Land: 177,049 acres or 56%

Land Ownership Mix: 44% Private; 56% Public

Species: Black Bear, Elk, Mule Deer, Moose, Pronghorn

Elevation Variances: 6,500 ft. to 14,197 ft.

Terrain Difficulty Overall: Mild to Moderate

Most of the big game hunting takes place around 8,000 and 12,000 feet above sea level near the mountains of the San Isabel National Forest and the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness. Lower elevations are mostly private land that drops to 6,500 feet in the Wet Mountain Valley. Higher elevations tend to be more rugged, with steep and rocky peaks, many of them exceeding 13,000 feet and Crestone Needle exceeding 14,000 feet.

Lower elevations have flats and rolling hills covered with sagebrush, grass, pinyon pines and juniper trees along with crop fields on the valley floor with scattered cottonwood trees along creeks. Some areas will have ponderosa pines and oak brush. Middle elevations mainly consist of spruce and fir trees mixed with large, scattered aspen groves along with flats covered with grass and wildflowers on ridges. High elevations have steep slopes leading to the barren. The rocky peaks above timberline are covered in grass, wildflowers and loose scrabble.

Most of the peaks are in Sangre de Cristo Wilderness, where no vehicles are allowed. Road access to the mountainous country below is limited to the four-wheel-drive roads, Hermit Pass, Cloverdale Basin and South Colony Creek. The middle elevation has a few roads through it, but access is limited because of private land. Most low land is private.

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Colorado Unit 86 Hunting Information

Overview of CO GMU 86 Hunting Facts

Table of Contents

CO Unit 86 Species Hunting Info

Available Hunts for Colorado Unit 86

No data found!

Info For Cities Near CO GMU 86

Colorado Unit 86 Topo Map

Lay of the Land in CO Unit 86

Terrain in GMU 86 CO

Vegetation in GMU Unit 86 CO

Access Points in CO GMU 86

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