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Colorado Unit 69 Hunting Information

Overview of GMU 69 Hunting Facts

Located in Fremont and Custer counties, Colorado Unit 69 provides a unique hunting experience that cannot be matched. Its abundance of natural resources and untouched wilderness in the San Isabel National Forest and Upper Grape Creek Wildlife Study Area makes Colorado Unit 69 an exceptional habitat for wildlife. The Arkansas River winds along the northern boundary line and the National Forest runs southeast and northwest through the unit. There are a number of lakes, creeks and streams that map their way throughout the area. As a local resource for hunting information in Colorado Unit 69, there is a Forest Service Office and BLM Field Office located in the northern portion of the unit near Canon City. For more Colorado Unit 3 hunting information, check out the Info for Cities Near Unit 69 section on the right.

Table of Contents

Unit 69 Species Hunting Info

  • Mule Deer Sihouette Unit 69 Mule Deer
  • Elk Silhouette        Unit 69 Elk       
  • Pronghorn Siohouette Unit 2 Antelope

INFO: Mule Deer Hunting in Colorado Unit 69

Mule deer tags drawn for unit 69 archery and muzzleloader seasons are legal for hunting either gender of deer and are also valid in Units 84, 86, 691 and 861. Second, third and fourth rifle season tags are only available for hunting bucks and are legitimate in units 69, 84, 86, 691 and 861. In addition to the limited draw for season tags, there is an OTC month-long doe season tag available for purchase, but pay attention to the specific boundaries that are reserved for this tag. The Wet Mountains in San Isabel National Forest is a promising territory for harvesting deer, especially in the earlier seasons before the cold pushes the herds down.

SUCCESS RATES for Mule Deer Hunting in Colorado Unit 69

5 Year Estimated Average for Deer
Archery 35%
Muzzle Loader 30%
2nd Rifle 40%
3rd Rifle 48%
4th Rifle 60%

Mule Deer TROPHY QUALITY for Unit 69 Colorado

Average Quality 140″ – 160″
Trophy Potential 170″ 
Buck to Doe Ratio 28:100

Colorado Unit 69 Mule Deer Hunting FORUM Coming Soon!

INFO: Elk Hunting in Colorado Unit 69

Unit 69 Colorado provides such versatility in its environment that the wildlife herds are content staying in the boundaries of the unit year-round. There are numerous creeks and streams for which to find elk in the warmer seasons and low-lying areas complete with meadows full of vegetation to sustain life during the winter. As far as licensing laws go, unit 69 is a draw-only unit with no OTC availability for elk tags. For archery, muzzleloader, 2nd, 3rd and 4th rifle seasons, the tags are valid for hunting either gender and are legitimate in units 69 and 84. First rifle season is only for hunting bulls in units 69 and 84

SUCCESS RATES for Elk Hunting in Colorado Unit 69

5 Year Estimated Average for Elk
Archery 10%
Muzzle Loader 20%
1st Rifle 30%
2nd Rifle 22%
3rd Rifle 45%
4th Rifle 50%

Elk TROPHY QUALITY for Unit 69 Colorado

Average Quality 260″ – 300″
Trophy Potential 310″ +
Bull to Cow Ratio 37:100

Colorado Unit 69 Elk Hunting FORUM Coming Soon!

INFO: Antelope Hunting in Colorado Unit 69

Due to the expansive grasslands and foothills in unit 69, the antelope herds are existent and thriving. Pronghorn can be found grazing in the grassy prairies that can be found throughout the unit. One in particular would be the DeWeese Reservoir State Wildlife Area, which antelope are known to frequent. Lake DeWeese provides a constant water source for the antelope to gather, especially in the heat. Antelope archery tags are OTC for either sex in unit 69. For muzzleloader and rifle seasons, the “either gender” tags are per draw-only and are valid in units 69, 84, 85, 86, 691 and 861.

SUCCESS RATES for Antelope Hunting in Colorado Unit 69

5 Year Estimated Average for Antelope
Archery 20%
Muzzle Loader 30%
Rifle 50%

Antelope TROPHY QUALITY for Unit 69 Colorado

Average Quality 65″ – 70″
Trophy Potential 70″+
Buck to Doe Ratio 31:100

Colorado Unit 69 Antelope Hunting FORUM Coming Soon!

Info for Cities Near Unit 69

Canon City, CO


Westcliffe, CO

Lay of the Land in Unit 69

Total Acreage: 187,000 acres over 292 square miles

Total Public Land: 74,000 acres or 39%

Land Ownership Mix: 61% Private; 39% Public; USFS: 48,704 acres; BLM: 12,032 acres; State: 3,328 acres; Other Govt. Owned: 704 acres

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

Elevation Variances: 5,100 ft. to 10,402 ft.

Terrain Difficulty Overall: Mild to Moderate

Land Coverage/Vegetation: 45% evergreen forest, 27% grassland, 20% shrub/scrub and 2% deciduous forest

Unit 69 Boundaries: (Custer, Fremont County Colorado) bounded on North by US-South Highway 50; on East by Colorado 67; on South by Colorado 96; on West by Colorado 69, Grape Creek and Arkansas River

Colorado Unit 69 Topo Map

Terrain in GMU 69 CO

The terrain in Unit 69 Colorado is moderately flat with shrub-covered foothills along with high-altitude mountainous terrain through the Wet Mountains and expansive valleys at the base. The ground surface ranges from rocky to vegetation-rich with lush soil. Mostly, the gradient is gradual but Unit 69 does have its fair share of rugged terrain in some areas. Be sure to map out your travel routes with topographic maps to ensure that you are embarking on a trek that is practical for you.

Vegetation in Unit 69 CO

The vegetation in Colorado Unit 69 contains forests with evergreenery, as well as deciduous trees, namely Birch, that paint the entire area in the colors of Autumn and signal Hunting Season! There are meadows full of various grasses, surrounded by coniferous forests, full of spruces, aspens and firs. The lower foothills are densely populated with sage and pinyon-juniper blends.

Access Points in GMU 69

Unit 69 in Colorado is bounded on the west by SH-69, the south by Hwy 96, the north by US-50 and the east by SH-67. These are the main highways in this unit and they basically just make the framework for the unit. Branching from these main highways are several county and BLM roads that will lead you throughout the unit. Be aware of what areas permit and what areas prohibit motorized vehicles.