Colorado Unit 40 Mule Deer Hunting Guide
Colorado Unit 40 sits in a mid-elevation corridor spanning roughly 475,000 acres across terrain that ranges from around 4,300 feet at its lower reaches to nearly 9,700 feet at its highest points. That elevation band — wide enough to hold deer across multiple habitat types — is one of the defining characteristics of this unit, and it shapes everything from where deer spend summer to where hunters find them during the draw seasons. With 68% of the unit in public ownership, Unit 40 offers meaningful DIY access for hunters willing to put in the scouting work. There is no designated wilderness within the unit, which means no guide requirements for nonresident hunters and no pack-in-only country standing between a hunter and legal ground.
This is a mule deer unit that rewards hunters who do their homework. The harvest numbers are strong, the draw sits at a moderate difficulty level compared to Colorado's most coveted units, and the county-level trophy history provides reason for optimism about buck quality. For hunters considering where to invest their Colorado preference points, Unit 40 deserves serious evaluation.
HuntPilot Analysis: Is Colorado Unit 40 Worth Applying For?
The data collected by HuntPilot paints a clear picture of Unit 40: this is one of Colorado's more productive mule deer units in terms of raw harvest success, and it draws enough hunters each year to generate statistically meaningful results.
Over the five-year window from 2021 through 2025, Unit 40 has posted consistent success rates. In 2023, 745 hunters took to the field and 551 connected — a 74% success rate. The 2024 season was nearly identical: 726 hunters, 537 harvested, 74% success. Even in 2022, when the hunter count climbed to 800, 543 came out successful at 68%. The 2021 season saw fewer hunters (396) but maintained 72% success with 287 harvested. The 2025 data shows 348 hunters and 247 harvested at 71% — a smaller cohort, but the success rate held.
That consistency across varying hunter counts is meaningful. When success rates remain in the 68–74% range regardless of pressure volume, it speaks to a unit that genuinely holds deer in accessible areas. Hunters aren't just getting lucky — the deer are there, and they're findable.
The 2024 wildlife survey recorded a buck:doe ratio of 33:100. That figure comes from a single survey year, which limits statistical confidence, but it falls within a reasonable range for a managed mule deer herd under moderate hunting pressure. It isn't an exceptional ratio, but it isn't alarming either. A herd holding one mature buck for every three does in a multi-season unit is functional and capable of producing quality animals.
The trophy history in the counties overlapping Unit 40 is noteworthy. This area has produced trophy-class mule deer over time, with consistent records suggesting that above-average bucks are available to patient hunters who select their target carefully. Trophy potential here falls into the "strong" category, though hunters should enter with realistic expectations — this is not one of Colorado's extreme trophy-or-nothing limited-entry units, but the genetics and habitat are present to produce quality animals.
Bottom line: Unit 40 is a strong candidate for hunters seeking a balance of realistic draw expectations, solid success rates, and legitimate trophy potential. It is not a max-point trophy destination, but it is far from a consolation draw. For hunters at low-to-moderate preference point levels, this unit merits a hard look.
Harvest Success Rates
The five-year harvest record for Colorado Unit 40 is one of the more compelling data sets among Colorado's draw mule deer units:
| Year | Hunters | Harvested | Success Rate | |------|---------|-----------|--------------| | 2025 | 348 | 247 | 71% | | 2024 | 726 | 537 | 74% | | 2023 | 745 | 551 | 74% | | 2022 | 800 | 543 | 68% | | 2021 | 396 | 287 | 72% |
Across 2021–2025, success rates have never dropped below 68% and have averaged approximately 72%. That kind of floor is rare in big game hunting. Hunters planning a trip to Unit 40 should be prepared to put meat on the ground — the odds of going home empty-handed are historically low.
The variation in hunter counts — from 348 in 2025 to 800 in 2022 — likely reflects draw structure changes and tag allocation shifts between years. The important takeaway is that even at 800 hunters in 2022, the unit still produced a 68% success rate, suggesting the deer population can absorb meaningful pressure without catastrophic success rate collapse.
Trophy Quality
The counties overlapping Colorado Unit 40 carry a legitimate trophy history for mule deer. Based on available trophy record data, this region has produced notable bucks across multiple decades, with a pattern of consistent production rather than isolated one-off animals. Trophy quality here is best described as strong — hunters who prioritize antler size over guaranteed success have taken impressive bucks from this country.
That said, trophy-class mule deer anywhere require significant field time, selective passing, and some favorable conditions. Unit 40 is not the kind of unit where exceptional bucks are regularly walked past — they are present but uncommon enough that a dedicated hunter should plan to spend time behind glass rather than shooting the first legal buck encountered. The unit's elevation range, from foothill terrain up into the 9,000-foot zone, provides the habitat diversity that allows some bucks to reach maturity in less-pressured pockets.
Hunters with trophy ambitions in Unit 40 should commit to glassing and patience. The success rate data confirms that filling a tag is achievable — the harder challenge is holding out for a buck worth the effort.
Herd Health & Population Trends
The wildlife survey data for Unit 40 is limited to a single year (2024), which constrains trend analysis. The 2024 buck:doe ratio of 33:100 provides a baseline reference point. A single survey snapshot is not enough to declare a trend in either direction, but the ratio itself is consistent with a unit under moderate regulated hunting pressure.
Combined with the multi-year harvest data showing stable success rates, the indirect evidence suggests the deer population in Unit 40 is in reasonable shape. Success rates haven't been declining — if anything, 2023 and 2024 posted the unit's strongest recent numbers. Herd collapses typically manifest as declining success rates before they show up in population surveys. The harvest data gives hunters reason for cautious optimism about deer numbers heading into the 2026 season.
Access & Terrain
Unit 40 covers approximately 475,151 total acres with 68% in public ownership. That translates to roughly 323,000 acres of accessible ground for DIY hunters — a substantial footprint that gives hunters real options for scouting and hunting without relying on private land permission.
The unit contains no designated wilderness, which simplifies access logistics. Nonresident hunters can run a self-guided hunt without any legal requirement to hire an outfitter or guide. The absence of wilderness also generally means motorized access is more available, though hunters should verify current road conditions and closures with the relevant federal land management offices before committing to specific access routes.
The elevation range — 4,332 feet at the low end, 9,691 feet at the high end — means Unit 40 is not a flat-country unit. Deer in this terrain tend to use elevation strategically, pushing into higher basins during warm early-season periods and drifting lower as temperatures drop and hunting pressure builds. Hunters targeting the upper reaches of the unit's elevation band will be working in physically demanding country. Those targeting mid-elevation sagebrush and oak brush draws may find slightly more forgiving terrain but will also be hunting where access is easiest — and where pressure concentrates.
The mix of public and private land means hunters must be diligent about boundary awareness. With 32% of the unit in private hands, not all of the best terrain will be legally accessible without landowner permission. Identifying public-land pockets that border or adjoin private holdings — where deer may concentrate — is a worthwhile pre-season exercise.
How to Apply
Colorado uses a preference point system for mule deer draws. Points accumulated in prior unsuccessful years carry forward and improve draw position. Unit 40 draws applicants across a range of point levels, making it accessible compared to Colorado's most competitive trophy units, though nonresidents should expect to accumulate points before drawing in this unit.
2026 Application Details:
For resident hunters, the 2026 application window opens March 1, 2026 with a deadline of April 7, 2026. Draw results are scheduled for May 26, 2026.
- Application fee: $9.00
- Tag fee: $51.00
- License fee (required to apply): $53.19
- Point fee (if not drawing): $50.00
For nonresident hunters, the same application dates apply — opens March 1, 2026, deadline April 7, 2026, with results on May 26, 2026.
- Application fee: $11.00
- Tag fee: $507.00
- License fee (required to apply): $117.62
- Point fee (if not drawing): $100.00
Important: Colorado requires hunters to purchase a valid license before applying for the draw. The license fees listed above are separate from the application and tag fees. Budget for the license fee regardless of whether a tag is drawn.
Hunters who don't draw will receive a preference point if they paid the point fee, which automatically improves their position for future draw years. Visit the HuntPilot Colorado page at /states/co to research current draw odds by point level and compare Unit 40 against other units in the state.
Dates and fees are subject to change. Always verify current application details at the Colorado Parks and Wildlife website before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the terrain like in Colorado Unit 40?
Unit 40 spans a wide elevation range from approximately 4,300 feet to just under 9,700 feet, giving it habitat variety from lower foothill terrain through mid-elevation sagebrush and oak brush country and up into higher-elevation zones where deer spend warmer months. The unit totals roughly 475,000 acres with 68% public land and no designated wilderness, making it physically accessible for DIY hunters without pack-in-only barriers. Expect mixed terrain that rewards hunters who are willing to glass and move with elevation changes throughout the season.
What is the harvest success rate in Colorado Unit 40 mule deer hunting?
Unit 40 has posted consistently strong harvest success across recent seasons. From 2021 through 2025, annual success rates ranged from 68% to 74%, with 2023 and 2024 both hitting 74%. In raw terms, the unit has seen between 247 and 551 deer harvested per year across varying hunter counts. This is one of the more reliable success rate records among Colorado draw mule deer units.
How big are the mule deer in Colorado Unit 40?
The counties overlapping Unit 40 carry a strong history of producing trophy-class mule deer. The unit is not in the same tier as Colorado's most exclusive, max-point limited-entry units, but it does have legitimate trophy genetics and habitat to grow quality bucks. Hunters who glass thoroughly and exercise patience in buck selection give themselves a realistic chance at an above-average animal. Entering with realistic expectations is wise — expect quality, not a guaranteed wall-hanger.
Is Colorado Unit 40 worth applying for?
For most hunters, yes — particularly those at low to moderate preference point levels who want a realistic chance of drawing and a strong probability of filling a tag. The five-year average success rate approaching 72%, combined with 68% public land access and no wilderness complications, makes Unit 40 a practical and productive target. Hunters with deep point banks chasing a once-in-a-lifetime mule deer may find Colorado's more exclusive units better suited to that goal. For the hunter who wants a genuine chance at a quality public-land mule deer without burning a decade of points, Unit 40 is a serious contender. For current draw odds by point level, visit the HuntPilot Colorado page at /states/co.
How much does it cost to apply for a Unit 40 mule deer tag in Colorado?
In 2026, resident hunters need to budget for a $9 application fee, a $53.19 license (required to apply), a $51 tag fee if drawn, and a $50 point fee if they don't draw. Nonresident hunters face an $11 application fee, a $117.62 license (required to apply), a $507 tag fee if drawn, and a $100 point fee if not drawn. Note that the license must be purchased before submitting a draw application — it is not an optional cost.