Colorado Unit 35 Hunting Information

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Overview of GMU 35 Hunting Facts

Situated in Eagle County, Colorado Hunting Unit 35 is opportunistic for any hunter at any skill level. The tag availability is very generous with mule deer tags being drawn sometimes after the first purchased preference point. The mule deer tags purchased for Unit 35 are also valid in Units 36, 45 and 361 for all hunters for all seasons. The Colorado River runs along the western border of Unit 35, providing a necessary area for big game to congregate. The USDA Forest Service – Holy Cross Ranger Station is also conveniently located in the southern portion of the unit. If mule deer isn’t on your mind, there are OTC elk and antelope tags available in this unit. The tags are also valid in Units 36, 45 and 361 so broaden your horizons to include scouting those other units to increase your chances. For more Colorado Unit 35 hunting information, check out the Info for Cities Near Unit 35 section on the right.

Unit 35 Species Hunting Info

Unit 35 Mule Deer
Unit 35 Elk
Unit 35 Antelope

INFO: Mule Deer Hunting in Colorado Unit 35

With the availability of OTC tags, this unit has significant hunting pressure. The more daring hunters hike several miles from roads to find a place where he or she can sequester from everyone else. If your plan is to glass mule deer herds, then you need to beat the crowds out there. There is a lot of competition for good spots out there and it’s first come, first serve! The average quality mule deer out of Colorado unit 35 is 140” to 160” with the trophy potential measure above 160”.

SUCCESS RATES for Mule Deer Hunting in Colorado Unit 35

5 Year Estimated Average for Deer

Archery	15%
Muzzle Loader	18%
2nd Rifle	25%
3rd Rifle	40%
4th Rifle	60%

Mule Deer TROPHY QUALITY for Unit 35 Colorado

Average Quality	140″ – 160″
Trophy Potential	160″+
Buck to Doe Ratio	30:100

Colorado Unit 35 Mule Deer Hunting FORUM Coming Soon!

INFO: Elk Hunting in Colorado Unit 35

Despite the substantial hunting pressure, Unit 35 continues to draw hunters to its limits. An “Either Sex” elk tag can be purchased over-the-counter for archery season, as well as 2nd & 3rd rifle seasons. As is a good practice among all units that share private and public land, make sure that you come equipped with a GPS unit so that you make sure you’re hunting the right land. Also, the areas where the private and public land meet can be a busy area for elk and other large game. Once the season gears up and there’s commotion in the unit, the elk begin moving off of the public land to private land.

SUCCESS RATES for Elk Hunting in Colorado Unit 35

5 Year Estimated Average for Elk

Archery	10%
Muzzle Loader	17%
1st Rifle	22%
2nd Rifle	8%
3rd Rifle	12%
4th Rifle	18%

Elk TROPHY QUALITY for Unit 35 Colorado

Average Quality	270″ – 310″
Trophy Potential	320″
Bull to Cow Ratio	28:100

Colorado Unit 35 Elk Hunting FORUM Coming Soon!

INFO: Antelope Hunting in Colorado Unit 35

Unit 35 offers an OTC antelope tag for “either sex” having its own timeframe in the season and “bucks only” having its own timeframe to be harvested in the season. The antelope inhabit the near 10% of grassland this unit has available.

Available Hunts for Colorado Unit 35

Info for Cities Near Unit 35

Eagle, CO

Gypsum, CO

Lay of the Land in Unit 35

Total Acreage: 170,000 acres over 265 square miles

Total Public Land: 120,000 acres or 70%

Land Ownership Mix: 30% Private; 70% Public; BLM: 119,808 acres

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

Elevation Variances: 6,000 ft. to 11,000 ft.

Terrain Difficulty Overall: Mild to Moderate

Land Coverage/Vegetation: 52.5% shrub/scrub, 25.4% Evergreen Forest, 9.9% Deciduous Forest, 8.3% Grassland/Herbaceous, 0.9% Pasture/Hay

Unit 35 Boundaries: (Eagle County Colorado) bounded on North by Colorado River; on East by Colorado 131; on South by Eagle River; on West by Colorado River

Colorado Unit 35 Topo Map

Terrain in GMU 35 CO

Colorado Unit 35 has a versatile terrain ranging from the high mountains in the north to the dry rolling hills of the southwestern portion of the unit. There are an abundance of small creeks, reservoirs and springs that feed into the Colorado River on the western side of the unit. Castle Peak is the 9th highest summit of the Rocky Mountains standing at a staggering 14,279 feet! Be sure to prepare your breathing to the high altitudes by spending a day or two in the area prior to your season starting.

Vegetation in GMU Unit 35 CO

The higher elevations consist of alpine forests and evergreenery. When the snow piles up and the foliage dies, the wildlife begin descending to the lower elevations and their diet consists of a blend of sagebrush, oak brush, pinyon and junipers.

Access Points in GMU 35

There are a total of 95 miles of trails with a trailhead located at Castle Peak. These trails assist hunters to access the more remote areas of the unit. There is a network of roads that weave through the unit named “Trail Gulch Road 1”, “Trail Gulch Road 2”, “Trail Gulch Road 3”, etc. Keep yourself informed on what areas motor vehicles are prohibited and what areas they are permitted for transportation.