Boasted as one of Colorado’s top units, Unit 301 has plenty of bang for your buck! Nestled in the northwestern territory of Colorado in Moffat County, this unit has some of the highest success rates in the state, especially for mule deer and antelope. The healthy herd numbers combined with the mild terrain continues to attract hunters every year! For more Colorado Unit 301 hunting information, check out the Info for Cities Near Unit 301 section on the right.
Mule deer tags in Unit 301 Colorado are some of the most sought after tags in the state. Archery and muzzleloader seasons for Unit 301 are also valid in Units 3, 4, 5, 214, and 441 and give hunters the option to purchase an add-on bear tag. Mule deer inhabit the unit and the herd concentration is high, giving hunters the opportunity to be selective when choosing the right buck to shoot.
| Archery | 60% |
| Muzzle Loader | 50% |
| 2nd Rifle | 65% |
| 3rd Rifle | 70% |
| 4th Rifle | 70% |
| Average Quality | 140″ – 160″ |
| Trophy Potential | 170″+ |
| Buck to Doe Ratio | 34:100 |
A large resident elk herd inhabits Unit 301, mostly accessible in the later seasons when the temperatures drop. The elk tags are available for purchase OTC for archery, 2nd rifle and 3rd rifle seasons. This accessibility does drive up hunting pressure, but do not let that get you down. There is plenty of space to spread out, but do be mindful of private land ownership.
| Archery | 22% |
| Muzzle Loader | Unavailable |
| 1st Rifle | 30% |
| 2nd Rifle | 15% |
| 3rd Rifle | 20% |
| 4th Rifle | 15% |
| Average Quality | 260″ – 300″ |
| Trophy Potential | 300″+ |
| Bull to Cow Ratio | 19:100 |
The high success rates for antelope in Unit 301 Colorado makes this unit a favorite for hunting pronghorn. The semi-arid climate makes for excruciating summers for the antelope creating a great hunting opportunity for hunters! Herds can be found at water sources as means to beat the heat, which provides the best situation for sitting in a nearby blind or stand. Decoy hunting has proven successful, especially during the rut.
| Archery | 55% |
| Muzzle Loader | 80% |
| Rifle | 80% |
| Average Quality | 70″ – 75″ |
| Trophy Potential | 75″+ |
| Buck to Doe Ratio | 39:100 |
Total Acreage: 235,000 acres over 367 square miles
Total Public Land: 37,000 acres or 15%
Land Ownership Mix: 85% Private; 15% Public; BLM: 27,328 acres; State: 1,856 acres
Species: Black Bear, Elk, Mule Deer, Moose, Pronghorn
Elevation Variances: 6,100 ft. to 7,500 ft.
Terrain Difficulty Overall: Mild to Moderate
Land Coverage/Vegetation: Land cover includes 40% evergreen forest, 32% grassland, 11.5% shrub/scrub, and 9% deciduous forest
Unit 301 Boundaries: (Moffat County Colorado) bounded on North by Moffat County Roads 5, 158, 3 and 108; on East by Colorado 13/789; on South by Yampa River; on West by Moffat County Road 17
The terrain of Colorado GMU 301 has enough versatility that hunters can expect an ease of travel appropriate for their physical abilities, which greatly improves the enjoyment of the hunt. This is a dry unit consisting of rocky hillsides, ravines, ridges and shrub-covered flats. The ridges help hunters find the perfect vantage point for glassing herds at first and last light.
Depending on the elevation you are hunting, the vegetation of Unit 301 Colorado will vary. Coniferous forests cover the higher elevations with a blend of spruces and firs. Colorado Unit 301 is a winter haven for migratory herds. The pinyon-juniper and sagebrush, combined with several other varieties of shrubbery and small foliage provides an ideal source of nutrition in the winter for the big game that migrate here.
US Route 40 runs horizontally through the midsection of the unit and connects with Co-13 in Craig. Co-13 winds along the eastern border of the unit and small roads weave throughout the unit, but four-wheel drive is recommended. The smaller roads can be washed out or impassable after wet weather conditions.
