Colorado Unit 48 Elk Hunting Guide

Colorado Unit 48 sits high in the central mountains, with elevations ranging from 8,803 feet up to 14,422 feet across 191,931 acres of rugged terrain. For elk hunters researching this unit, the numbers tell a clear story: this is a limited-entry destination with real public access, real elevation, and a reputation among hunt-talk forums as a multi-year point investment. With 92% public land and 32% designated wilderness, Unit 48 offers serious backcountry elk hunting for hunters willing to put in the scouting time — and the points.

This unit draws attention because it combines high-alpine terrain with strong public access, which is a rare pairing in Colorado's more popular elk country. But strong access and difficult country cut both ways — hunters need to know what they're getting into before investing years of points into a tag. This article breaks down what the data actually shows about harvest trends, herd health, trophy potential, and how to apply, using figures sourced from HuntPilot.

Access & Terrain

Unit 48 is defined by extreme vertical relief, spanning nearly 5,600 feet from valley floor to summit-level terrain at 14,422 feet. That elevation range means hunters can expect everything from lower-elevation timber and sagebrush transition zones to alpine basins above treeline, depending on where in the unit they hunt and how the season progresses.

With 92% of the unit in public ownership, this is about as good as it gets for DIY access in Colorado. The vast majority of the unit is open to hunters without needing to negotiate private land access or lease arrangements. That said, 32% of the unit falls within designated wilderness, which means a meaningful chunk of the best backcountry elk habitat requires foot or stock access only — no mechanized entry, no e-bikes, no vehicle-assisted retrieval. Hunters targeting the wilderness portions should plan for pack-in logistics, physical conditioning for high-elevation travel, and a strategy for game retrieval well before opening day.

Forum accounts from hunters who've drawn tags in Unit 48 consistently describe rough, physically demanding country, with bulls often pushed into steep, remote basins away from easier access points. Drought years have also been noted to disrupt water sources and forage quality above treeline, which can concentrate or scatter elk depending on conditions in a given season. Hunters should scout multiple elevation bands and water sources rather than committing to a single drainage, and HuntPilot's public land and terrain overlays are a useful starting point for identifying likely staging areas before boots hit the ground.

Harvest Success Rates

Recent harvest data for Unit 48 shows a downward trend in both hunter numbers and success rates over the past four years:

• 2022: 539 hunters, 200 harvested, 37% success
• 2023: 678 hunters, 194 harvested, 29% success
• 2024: 678 hunters, 186 harvested, 27% success
• 2025: 354 hunters, 89 harvested, 25% success

The trend line is worth paying attention to. Success rates have fallen from 37% in 2022 to 25% in 2025, even as hunter numbers dropped sharply in the most recent year. A declining success rate alongside declining hunter pressure suggests something beyond simple crowding is affecting outcomes — possibly herd distribution, weather variability, or access difficulty in the wilderness portions of the unit. Whatever the cause, hunters should treat 25-30% as a realistic recent baseline rather than the 37% peak seen in 2022. This is still a respectable success rate for a limited-entry mountain unit, but it's trending the wrong direction and hunters should plan accordingly — meaning more scouting time, not less.

Herd Health & Population Trends

Wildlife survey data collected across six survey years (2018-2024) shows an average bull:cow ratio of 24:100 for Unit 48. This is a modest ratio compared to many limited-entry Colorado units, and it suggests a bull population that is being hunted at a meaningful rate relative to the cow herd. A 24:100 ratio is not alarming, but it's not the kind of number that points to an under-hunted secret unit, either. Hunters should view this as evidence of a healthy, actively managed elk population rather than a herd stockpiling mature bulls.

Without year-by-year breakdowns provided, it's difficult to assess whether this ratio has trended up or down over the survey period, but the six-year average gives a reasonably reliable picture of the herd's bull representation. Hunters targeting Unit 48 should not expect exceptionally bull-heavy encounters, but decent bull numbers are present relative to the cow population, consistent with a unit that receives real hunting pressure but isn't overrun.

Trophy Quality

Trophy record data for the counties overlapping Unit 48 shows a limited history of entries. This doesn't mean big bulls don't come out of this country — the terrain, elevation, and wilderness character of the unit certainly support the potential for mature animals — but the record-book history is thin. Hunters chasing a wall-hanger as their primary goal should treat Unit 48 as a unit where trophy quality is possible but unproven at scale, rather than a unit with a demonstrated pedigree of producing exceptional bulls.

It's worth noting that record-book entries are attributed at the county level, not the specific hunt unit, so any records associated with the counties overlapping Unit 48 are shared with neighboring units in those same counties. Given the limited entry history available, hunters should set realistic expectations: this is a unit where filling a tag on a solid mature bull is a reasonable goal, and forum accounts back this up — several hunters report specifically hunting Unit 48 for meat and experience rather than trophy pursuit, with multiple posts mentioning family hunts, first-timers, and freezer-focused goals rather than record-book ambitions.

HuntPilot Analysis

Is Unit 48 worth applying for? For hunters who value public land access, rugged high-elevation terrain, and a real backcountry experience, the answer leans yes — with clear-eyed expectations. The 92% public land figure is exceptional and removes most of the access headaches that plague elk hunters elsewhere in Colorado. The 32% wilderness component adds a legitimate backcountry element for hunters willing to hike or pack in for less pressured hunting.

However, the harvest trend is a yellow flag. Success rates falling from 37% to 25% over four years, combined with a modest 24:100 bull:cow ratio and limited trophy record history, means Unit 48 should be approached as a solid, honest elk unit — not a trophy unit and not a guaranteed-success unit. Forum chatter consistently backs this up: hunters describe multi-year point waits (several posts reference needing four to five years of points to draw), tough terrain, and inconsistent elk encounters depending on drought and water conditions.

This unit makes the most sense for hunters who prioritize public land, wilderness character, and a genuine mountain hunting experience over trophy potential or high odds of quick success. Hunters chasing maximum trophy potential or the highest possible success percentages may want to compare Unit 48 against other Colorado units using HuntPilot's data tools before committing points to the draw.

How to Apply

Colorado's elk draw operates on an annual application cycle, and Unit 48 falls under the same statewide deadlines as other limited-entry units.

More granular 2026 application details are also available.

Colorado's elk draw uses a true preference system, meaning the highest point holders draw first for a given hunt code, and a sufficient point level can guarantee a tag in some cases. Forum posts referencing multi-year point requirements (several hunters mention needing roughly four to five years of points for Unit 48) align with this being a competitive, limited-entry unit rather than an easy annual draw. Alternatively, check HuntPilot's Colorado state page (/states/co) for the latest draw calendar updates.

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 the terrain like in Colorado Unit 48? Unit 48 spans an enormous elevation range from 8,803 feet to 14,422 feet, encompassing everything from mid-elevation timber to high alpine basins above treeline. With 32% of the unit in designated wilderness, much of the best elk habitat is foot-and-stock access only. Hunters should expect steep, physically demanding country and should plan for extended pack-in logistics if hunting the wilderness portions.

What is harvest success like in Unit 48? Recent harvest data shows success rates trending downward, from 37% in 2022 to 25% in 2025. Hunter numbers have also dropped significantly, from 678 hunters in 2023-2024 to 354 in 2025. Hunters should plan around a realistic 25-30% success expectation based on the most recent years rather than the higher rates seen a few years back.

How big are the elk in Unit 48? Trophy record history for the counties overlapping Unit 48 is limited, meaning the unit lacks a strong documented pedigree of producing exceptional record-book bulls. The bull:cow ratio has averaged 24:100 across recent survey years, indicating a modest but present bull population. Hunters should treat Unit 48 as a solid opportunity for a mature bull rather than a unit known for consistently producing trophy-class animals.

Is Unit 48 worth applying for? Yes, for hunters who prioritize public land access (92%) and a genuine wilderness elk hunting experience over guaranteed high success or trophy potential. The declining harvest trend and thin trophy record history mean expectations should be set on filling a tag and enjoying rugged mountain hunting rather than chasing a record-book bull.

How many points does it take to draw Unit 48? HuntPilot's Colorado unit page and current draw odds data are the best resource for exact point requirements, since draw odds shift annually. Forum accounts from hunters who've drawn the tag mention point investments in the range of several years, consistent with a competitive, limited-entry unit rather than an over-the-counter opportunity.