Colorado Unit 40 Hunting Information

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Overview of GMU 40 Hunting Facts

Located in Mesa County, southwest of Grand Junction and on the western side of Colorado, bordering eastern Utah is unit 40. Considering that this area is inundated with private land (58%), the mule deer and elk population are going strong and able to produce mature bucks and bulls. This unit measures at a grand scale of 750 square miles. The northern area is most often referred to as Glade Park and the southern area proclaimed as Pinon Mesa. Combined with its attractive hunting success rates, this unit also appeals to hunters for its trophy potential for mule deer and elk alike. In Grand Junction, there is also a CPW Office located with tons of hunting information for Colorado Unit 40. Along with a mule deer or elk tag, unit 40 qualifies for an add-on OTC archery or muzzleloader bear license. There are 4 Wilderness Study Areas (WSA) in Unit 40, each contributing a natural and untouched habitat for mule deer and elk. Hunting is permitted in the WSA, but be sure to verify the rules and regulations of where you plan on hunting. For more Colorado Unit 40 hunting information, check out the Info for Cities Near Unit 40 section on the right.

Unit 40 Species Hunting Info

Unit 40 Mule Deer
Unit 40 Elk
Unit 40 Antelope

INFO: Mule Deer Hunting in Colorado Unit 40

Located in Mesa County, southwest of Grand Junction and on the western side of Colorado, bordering eastern Utah is Unit 40. Considering that this area is inundated with private land (58%), the mule deer and elk population are going strong and able to produce mature bucks and bulls. This unit measures at a grand scale of 750 square miles. The northern area is most often referred to as Glade Park and the southern area proclaimed as Pinon Mesa. Combined with its attractive hunting success rates, this unit also appeals to hunters for its trophy potential for mule deer and elk alike. In Grand Junction, there is also a CPW Office located with tons of hunting information for Colorado Unit 40. Along with a mule deer or elk tag, Unit 40 qualifies for an add-on OTC archery or muzzleloader bear license. There are 4 Wilderness Study Areas (WSA) in Unit 40, each contributing a natural and untouched habitat for mule deer and elk. Hunting is permitted in the WSA, but be sure to verify the rules and regulations of where you plan on hunting.

SUCCESS RATES for Mule Deer Hunting in Colorado Unit 40

5 Year Estimated Average for Deer

Archery	50%
Muzzle Loader	72%
2nd Rifle	60%
3rd Rifle	80%

Mule Deer TROPHY QUALITY for Unit 40 Colorado

Average Quality	160″ – 180″
Trophy Potential	180″+
Buck to Doe Ratio	35:100

Colorado Unit 40 Mule Deer Hunting FORUM Coming Soon!

INFO: Elk Hunting in Colorado Unit 40

Unit 40 is a legendary trophy class elk unit averaging 320” – 350” and trophy potential at a staggering 360” and up! The number of tags that are issued is limited, thereby reducing the overall hunting pressure of the unit. The prohibition of OTC elk tags in Unit 40 also contributes to maintaining control of the hunting pressure. Lower hunting pressure helps mature the elk to a larger size and makes hunting more enjoyable. Unit 40 provides resources that offer year-round sustainability for the elk population. Therefore, the elk do not typically migrate out of the unit.

SUCCESS RATES for Elk Hunting in Colorado Unit 40

5 Year Estimated Average for Elk

Archery	48%
Muzzle Loader	45%
1st Rifle	70%
2nd Rifle	65%
3rd Rifle	50%
4th Rifle	45%

Elk TROPHY QUALITY for Unit 40 Colorado

Average Quality	320″ – 350″
Trophy Potential	360″+
Bull to Cow Ratio	26:100

Colorado Unit 40 Elk Hunting FORUM Coming Soon!

INFO: Antelope Hunting in Colorado Unit 40

Unit 40 provides an antelope oasis with its vast meadows full of alfalfa, blended grass species, and abundant water sources. The terrain is predominantly flat and the climate is drier. Groves of desert shrubbery such as sagebrush and pinyon-juniper paint the landscape where the antelope roam. The archery tags for antelope are available OTC, so you can either solely hunt for antelope in Unit 40 or purchase an OTC tag to complement a deer or elk hunt.

Colorado Unit 40 Antelope Hunting FORUM Coming Soon!

Available Hunts for Colorado Unit 40

Info for Cities Near Unit 40

Fruita, CO

Gateway, CO

Grand Junction, CO

Lay of the Land in Unit 40

Total Acreage: 475,000 over 742 square miles

Total Public Land: 279,105 acres or 58%

Land Ownership Mix: 42% Private; 58% Public; USFS: 7,616 acres; BLM: 266,496 acres; Other Govt Owned: 21,760

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

Elevation Variances: 4,560 ft. to 9,700 ft.

Terrain Difficulty Overall: Mild to Moderate

Land Coverage/Vegetation: 39.4% shrub/scrub, 38% evergreen forest, 13.4% deciduous forest

Unit 40 Boundaries: (Mesa County Colorado) bounded on North by Colorado River; on East by US-South Highway 50; on South by Colorado 141 and Dolores River; on West by Utah

Colorado Unit 40 Topo Map

Terrain in GMU 40 CO

The terrain in Unit 40 blends elements of higher elevations, starting from the center and sloping to lower elevations around it. The eastern territory contains an arid, lower elevation terrain with desert shrubberies such as pinyon pine, juniper, and sagebrush. A common geographical feature that is found throughout unit 40 is sandstone canyons with majestic rock formations.

Vegetation in GMU Unit 40 CO

The lower elevations of Unit 40 contain a blend of pinyon pine, juniper, and desert shrubbery. The middle elevations contain the majority of the sagebrush and oak brush in the unit. The higher elevations contain picturesque Colorado ever greenery such as aspens, spruces, and firs. There are riparian plants such as cottonwood trees and willows found along the riverbanks and creeks.

Access Points in GMU 40

Access in Unit 40 can be a little touch-and-go, depending on which areas of the unit you are desiring access to. The private land boundaries must be maneuvered around and some areas can be too steep for motor vehicles. Horseback and/or on foot will be advisable for such areas. SH-141 runs along the southern border of the unit with few smaller roads that branch off from it. With the Colorado River flowing along the northern border of the unit, there are several creeks and streams that disperse throughout the unit, allowing for water access as an option for accessing hunting areas. Unit 40 contains 280 miles of trails with a trailhead near Cactus Park.