Colorado Unit 39 Mule Deer Hunting Guide

Colorado Unit 39 sits in the high country of the state's western reaches, with elevations ranging from 7,049 feet up to 14,236 feet across 236,179 acres. This dramatic elevation spread — from sagebrush foothills to alpine peaks — defines everything about hunting mule deer here, from where deer summer to where they push down as weather changes. For hunters researching Unit 39 mule deer hunting, this is a unit that offers real public land access and a genuine mix of terrain types, but it also comes with a fair amount of competition and a herd structure that warrants a closer look before committing points or planning a trip.

With 72% public land, Unit 39 gives DIY hunters plenty of room to work without needing to negotiate private land access for the bulk of their hunt. Add in 16% wilderness acreage, and hunters have both road-accessible country and more remote, foot-and-horseback terrain to choose from depending on how deep they want to go. This is a unit that rewards hunters willing to climb, but it's not exclusively a wilderness proposition — there's enough non-wilderness public ground to build a hunt around for those without pack stock.

HuntPilot Analysis: Is Unit 39 Worth Applying For?

The honest answer is that Unit 39 is a solid, accessible option for hunters who prioritize opportunity and public land access over chasing a specific trophy-class buck. Harvest data pulled from HuntPilot shows success rates that have fluctuated in recent seasons: 42% in 2025, 28% in 2024, 26% in 2023, and 30% in 2022. That 2025 success rate stands out as a notable jump, but hunters should view it in the context of hunter numbers — only 654 hunters were afield in 2025 compared to 1,055 in 2024 and 1,273 in 2023. Fewer hunters chasing the same deer population naturally pushes success rates upward, so the 2025 figure likely reflects reduced pressure and possibly tag allocation changes rather than a sudden improvement in herd quality or huntability.

Looking at the broader four-year window, success rates in the high-20s to low-30s percent range are the more reliable baseline for what hunters should expect. That's a respectable success rate for a public-land mule deer unit in Colorado, but it's not a slam-dunk unit where tags guarantee venison in the freezer.

Where Unit 39 falls short is on the trophy side. The counties overlapping this unit show only a limited history of trophy-class record entries, meaning hunters chasing a genuine wall-hanger buck should temper expectations. This is not a unit with a deep or consistent trophy pedigree, and hunters whose primary goal is scoring a record-book buck may want to look elsewhere or treat Unit 39 as a long-term point-building strategy rather than a trophy destination.

The buck:doe ratio data adds another layer of caution. The available survey data shows a ratio of 28:100, drawn from a single survey year (2024). That's a low ratio relative to healthy mule deer herds, and with only one year of data reported, hunters should be careful not to over-interpret it as a definitive trend. Still, a ratio in this range — even accounting for limited sample size — suggests a herd with fewer mature bucks relative to does than hunters might hope for, which aligns with the limited trophy history noted above.

Put together, Unit 39 is best framed as an opportunity unit: solid public access, a workable success rate for hunters willing to put in the legwork, and reasonable draw accessibility for both residents and nonresidents. It's not the unit to chase if the goal is a mature, heavy-horned buck, but it's a legitimate option for hunters wanting a mountain mule deer experience with a fair chance of tagging out.

Access & Terrain

Unit 39's terrain is defined by its enormous elevation range — 7,049 feet at the low end to 14,236 feet at the highest points. That span means hunters can encounter everything from lower-elevation sagebrush and transitional brush country to true alpine basins above treeline, depending on where they focus their hunt and what time of year they're in the field. Forum discussion around this unit and its neighboring Unit 46 describes terrain that hunters find approachable, with one hunter noting they felt "fairly comfortable with the terrain" and didn't anticipate heavy private land interference — a sentiment that lines up with the unit's 72% public land figure.

With 16% of the unit designated wilderness, hunters have the option to push into more remote, non-motorized country if they're willing to hike or bring stock. The remaining public land outside the wilderness boundary offers road-accessible options for hunters who want to cover ground efficiently or set up a base camp closer to a vehicle. This mix gives Unit 39 flexibility — hunters can choose a low-effort, road-based hunt in the foothills or commit to a multi-day backcountry push into higher basins where pressure typically drops off.

Given the extreme elevation ceiling near 14,000 feet, hunters targeting the highest country should be prepared for genuine alpine conditions, sudden weather shifts, and physically demanding terrain. Conditioning matters here more than in low-relief units, and hunters unfamiliar with high-altitude hunting should factor in acclimatization time.

Herd Health & Population Trends

The wildlife survey data available for Unit 39 is limited to a single reporting year — 2024 — which showed an average buck:doe ratio of 28:100. Because this figure comes from only one survey year, it should be treated as a snapshot rather than a definitive trend. A ratio in this range is on the lower end for mule deer herds generally, and it's consistent with the unit's limited trophy record history — fewer bucks per 100 does typically means fewer bucks surviving to older age classes, which in turn reduces the odds of encountering a mature, wide-racked buck.

Hunters should treat this data point cautiously given the single-year sample, but absent additional years of survey data to establish a trend, it's the best available indicator of current herd composition. Hunters planning multi-year point strategies around Unit 39 should keep an eye on HuntPilot for updated survey data in future seasons to see whether this ratio holds, improves, or declines further.

Harvest Success Rates

Harvest numbers for Unit 39 over the past four seasons show a unit with meaningful hunter pressure and moderate, if variable, success:

• 2025: 654 hunters, 276 harvested, 42% success
• 2024: 1,055 hunters, 294 harvested, 28% success
• 2023: 1,273 hunters, 336 harvested, 26% success
• 2022: 1,055 hunters, 319 harvested, 30% success

The clear takeaway is that hunter numbers have trended downward over this period — from over 1,270 hunters in 2023 to roughly half that in 2025 — while the number of deer harvested has remained in a comparable range (276 to 336 animals per year). That combination is what's driving the higher success percentage in 2025. Hunters should not assume that success rates will continue climbing; instead, the multi-year average in the high-20s to low-30s percent range is the more dependable expectation when planning a hunt here.

For a public-land unit with 72% public access and no shortage of hunter interest, these numbers reflect a unit that produces results for hunters who scout, put in effort, and adapt to elevation and terrain — not a unit where success is guaranteed simply by having a tag in hand.

Trophy Quality

Available trophy record data indicates that the counties overlapping Unit 39 have only a limited history of producing trophy-class mule deer entries. This points to limited trophy potential for hunters specifically targeting a record-caliber buck. That doesn't mean mature bucks don't exist in the unit — they do, as evidenced by ongoing harvest activity — but hunters should not treat Unit 39 as a unit with a strong or established trophy pedigree.

Combined with the low buck:doe ratio noted in the 2024 survey data, the picture that emerges is a unit better suited to hunters seeking a solid, representative mule deer and a quality mountain hunting experience rather than those specifically chasing an exceptional set of antlers. Hunters with trophy-first priorities may want to weigh Unit 39 against other Colorado units with deeper trophy records before committing preference points here.

How to Apply

Colorado's draw system uses a preference point structure, and for hunters targeting Unit 39 mule deer, the 2026 application windows and fees are as follows.

2026 Deer — Resident:

• Application opens: March 1, 2026
• Application deadline: April 7, 2026
• Application fee: $9
• Tag fee: $51
• License fee (required to apply): $53.19
• Point fee: $50

2026 Deer — Nonresident:

• Application opens: March 1, 2026
• Application deadline: April 7, 2026
• Application fee: $11
• Tag fee: $507
• License fee (required to apply): $117.62
• Point fee: $100

Results for both resident and nonresident regular draw applicants are expected May 26, 2026, based on the HuntPilot draw calendar. Note that Colorado requires hunters to hold a qualifying license before applying — the license fee listed above is separate from the application fee and must be factored into the total cost of applying, not just the cost of the tag itself.

Nonresident hunters should budget for a substantially higher total cost given the $507 tag fee and $117.62 license fee, compared to the resident tag fee of $51 and license fee of $53.19. Both residency classes face the same application deadline, so there's no advantage in submitting early beyond avoiding last-minute technical issues.

Dates and fees are subject to change. Always verify current application details at the state wildlife agency website before applying, or check HuntPilot's Colorado state page at /states/co for the latest application calendar and unit-specific data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the terrain like in Colorado Unit 39? Unit 39 spans an enormous elevation range from 7,049 feet to 14,236 feet, meaning hunters can encounter sagebrush foothills, timbered mid-elevation slopes, and true alpine basins all within the same unit. With 72% public land and 16% wilderness, hunters have options ranging from road-accessible hunting to deeper backcountry pushes for those willing to hike or use stock.

What is harvest success like in Unit 39? Recent harvest data shows success rates of 42% in 2025, 28% in 2024, 26% in 2023, and 30% in 2022. The 2025 figure benefited from a notable drop in hunter numbers (654 hunters versus over 1,000 in prior years), so the more reliable baseline for planning purposes is the high-20s to low-30s percent range seen across the broader four-year window.

How big are the mule deer in Unit 39? Available trophy record data shows only a limited history of trophy-class entries from the counties overlapping this unit, and the single year of buck:doe survey data (28:100 in 2024) suggests a herd with fewer mature bucks relative to does. Hunters should approach Unit 39 as a unit for a solid, representative buck and a quality mountain hunt rather than a trophy destination.

Is Unit 39 worth applying for? For hunters prioritizing public land access, varied terrain, and a reasonable chance at filling a tag, yes — the harvest data supports it as a workable option. For hunters specifically chasing a trophy-class buck, the limited trophy record history and low buck:doe ratio suggest other units may be a better fit for that specific goal.

What should hunters know before applying for Unit 39 in 2026? Both resident and nonresident applications for the 2026 season open March 1, 2026 and close April 7, 2026, with results posted May 26, 2026. Nonresidents face significantly higher tag and license fees ($507 tag fee and $117.62 license fee) compared to residents ($51 tag fee and $53.19 license fee), and both residency classes must hold a qualifying license before applying. Check HuntPilot's Colorado page at /states/co for the most current application details.