Colorado Unit 109 Mule Deer Hunting Guide

Colorado Unit 109 is a mule deer hunting unit that draws attention from hunters combing through the draw system for a workable tag, but this is a unit that demands a clear-eyed look at the numbers before hunters commit points or cash to an application. With only 4% public land across 666,631 total acres and elevations ranging from 3,658 to 4,721 feet, Unit 109 sits in a category of Colorado units where land access, not deer density, is the limiting factor for most hunters. Understanding how that access reality intersects with harvest trends and herd data is essential before deciding whether this unit deserves a spot on an application.

This article breaks down what the available data actually shows for Unit 109 — harvest success, herd composition, trophy potential, and the application process — so hunters can make an informed decision rather than relying on guesswork or outdated forum chatter.

HuntPilot Analysis: Is Unit 109 Worth Applying For?

The honest answer, based on the data available through HuntPilot, is that Unit 109 is a mixed bag that leans toward being a tough unit for the average DIY hunter, and a unit that experienced private-land hunters or those with existing property access will find far more appealing.

The single biggest factor working against Unit 109 is the 4% public land figure. That means 96% of this 666,631-acre unit is privately held. For a hunter without a landowner voucher, a lease arrangement, or a personal connection to a ranch in the area, the practical hunting ground in Unit 109 is extremely limited. This unit is not one where a hunter can show up with a general strategy of "find public dirt and start glassing" — the public land base simply isn't there to support that approach at scale.

Harvest success rates, however, tell a more encouraging story for those who do have access. In 2025, 398 hunters harvested 124 deer for a 31% success rate. That's actually an improvement over the previous two years — 2024 saw 898 hunters harvest 241 deer (27% success), and 2023 posted 801 hunters and 210 harvested animals (26% success). The trend of rising success rates alongside a shrinking hunter count in 2025 suggests either tighter tag allocations, more selective hunters, or both — but the takeaway is that hunters who get out into the field in Unit 109 are finding results at a rate that's respectable relative to many Colorado deer units.

Trophy potential in the counties overlapping Unit 109 is best described as moderate. There is a documented history of trophy-class bucks coming from this area, but it isn't a unit with a deep or consistent pedigree of exceptional entries. Hunters should view Unit 109 as a place where a quality buck is possible, not a unit to bank max points on in pursuit of a wall-hanger.

The wildlife survey data adds another layer of caution. The single 2024 survey reported a buck:doe ratio of 36:100 across one survey year. With only one year of data available, this figure should be treated as a single snapshot rather than a definitive trend indicator. A 36:100 ratio is on the lower end for mule deer herds and suggests a buck population that is not heavily skewed toward mature age classes, which aligns with the moderate trophy assessment above.

Putting it together: Unit 109 works best for hunters who already have a private land access plan in place and are looking for a unit with a reasonably solid success rate. For hunters without that access, the 4% public land number should be a serious red flag before spending points or application fees here.

Harvest Success Rates

Unit 109's harvest numbers over the past three seasons show a unit trending in the right direction for hunters who draw a tag:

• 2025: 398 hunters, 124 harvested, 31% success
• 2024: 898 hunters, 241 harvested, 27% success
• 2023: 801 hunters, 210 harvested, 26% success

The jump from a 26-27% success range in 2023-2024 to 31% in 2025 is worth noting, especially paired with a significant drop in hunter numbers (from 898 down to 398). Fewer hunters in the field with a higher success rate could point to reduced tag numbers concentrating pressure into better opportunities, or it could reflect a stronger deer year. Either way, hunters who do draw a tag in Unit 109 have historically had roughly a one-in-four to one-in-three chance of tagging out, which is a solid baseline for a mule deer unit anywhere in Colorado.

Trophy Quality

Trophy data for the counties overlapping Unit 109 points to a moderate trophy history. This is not a unit with a deep well of record-book entries, but trophy-class bucks have come from the broader area historically. Hunters should treat Unit 109 as a unit where a mature, quality buck is achievable rather than one where trophy potential is the primary draw. As with all Colorado units, remember that record-book entries are attributed at the county level and are shared across neighboring units, so this moderate assessment reflects the broader region rather than being exclusive to Unit 109's boundaries.

Given the low public land percentage, much of the better-quality deer habitat and the bucks that reach maturity in this unit are likely concentrated on private ground where hunting pressure is lower and bucks have more years to grow. That dynamic is common in units with heavy private land ownership — the deer that survive to older age classes often do so because they're living where hunter access is restricted.

Herd Health & Population Trends

The available wildlife survey data for Unit 109 is limited to a single survey year (2024), which reported a buck:doe ratio of 36:100. This is a modest ratio by mule deer standards and, importantly, it comes from only one year of surveying. With just one data point, it's not possible to establish a reliable trend for buck recruitment or herd composition over time in this unit. Hunters should treat this figure as a snapshot rather than a definitive read on herd health, and should look for updated survey data in future years to see whether this ratio holds, improves, or declines.

A 36:100 ratio does align with the moderate trophy assessment discussed above — it suggests a herd where bucks are present but not accumulating in the higher ratios that typically correlate with strong mature buck numbers and trophy potential.

Access & Terrain

Access is the defining challenge of Unit 109. With only 4% of the unit's 666,631 acres classified as public land, this is overwhelmingly a private-land unit. Hunters without an established access arrangement — whether through a landowner relationship, lease, or outfitter connection — will find very little huntable public ground to work with here. This is not a unit where hunters can rely on general public land strategies; success is far more dependent on securing private access before ever setting foot in the field.

Elevation in Unit 109 ranges from 3,658 to 4,721 feet, which is relatively low compared to many of Colorado's mountain mule deer units. This lower elevation profile suggests terrain that likely includes rolling foothills, sagebrush flats, and lower-elevation drainages rather than high alpine basins. There is no wilderness acreage in this unit (0%), which means there are no wilderness-specific access restrictions to plan around — but that fact is overshadowed by the private land access issue, which is the far more significant constraint for hunters planning a trip here.

Given the terrain and access profile, hunters serious about scouting Unit 109 should use mapping tools — including HuntPilot's public land overlays — to precisely identify the scattered parcels of public ground that do exist, since the margin for error in a 4%-public unit is thin.

How to Apply

Note that both resident and nonresident applicants must hold a qualifying license before applying — this license fee is separate from and in addition to the application fee and any point fee paid. Nonresident hunters should budget for the full cost stack: license fee, application fee, and the significantly higher tag fee if drawn.

For current draw odds specific to Unit 109, hunters should check HuntPilot's Colorado state page at /states/co, where year-specific data is maintained.

Application dates and fees change every draw cycle. For the current deadlines, fees, and draw odds, see HuntPilot's Colorado page at /states/co.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is harvest success like in Colorado Unit 109? Recent data shows harvest success rates of 31% in 2025, 27% in 2024, and 26% in 2023. Success has trended upward even as hunter numbers dropped significantly between 2024 and 2025, suggesting hunters who draw tags here have a reasonably strong chance of connecting.

What is the terrain like in Unit 109? Unit 109 sits at relatively low elevation for a Colorado mule deer unit, ranging from 3,658 to 4,721 feet, with no wilderness acreage. The terrain profile suggests lower-elevation foothill and sagebrush-type habitat rather than high alpine country. The unit's defining terrain characteristic, however, is land ownership — with 96% of the unit in private hands, access is far more limiting than elevation or terrain ruggedness.

Is Unit 109 worth applying for? It depends heavily on access. With only 4% public land, Unit 109 is a difficult unit for DIY hunters without an existing private land connection. Hunters with landowner access or lease arrangements will find a unit with solid harvest success rates and moderate trophy potential. Hunters relying purely on public land should look closely at the public land percentage before committing points here.

How big are the deer in Unit 109? Trophy history for the counties overlapping Unit 109 is moderate — the area has produced trophy-class bucks historically, but it is not known as a unit with deep, consistent trophy production. Combined with a 2024 survey buck:doe ratio of 36:100, the data suggests a herd capable of producing quality bucks, particularly on private ground, but not one where hunters should expect a high volume of mature, trophy-class deer.

What should hunters know about accessing Unit 109 before applying? The most important factor is the 4% public land figure. Hunters without a landowner voucher, lease, or outfitter arrangement should expect very limited legal hunting ground. Before applying or spending preference points, hunters should confirm they have a viable access plan — public land alone will not support a full hunt in this unit.