Colorado Unit 68 Mule Deer Hunting Guide
A High-Country Draw Unit with Genuine Public Access and Consistent Harvest Numbers
Colorado Unit 68 sits in a dramatic elevation band — from roughly 7,600 feet at its lowest points to nearly 13,800 feet at the highest peaks — creating the kind of vertical terrain that mule deer exploit seasonally as they push between summer alpine range and lower winter habitat. At nearly 386,000 acres with 90% public land, this is one of the more accessible limited-entry mule deer units in Colorado's western slope draw system. Hunters who pull a tag here aren't fighting private land checkerboards or competing with landowner tags — the vast majority of the unit is open to the public.
Unit 68 is a limited-entry draw unit in Colorado's preference point system, meaning it takes an investment of points to punch a tag. The unit draws serious attention from mule deer hunters because of its combination of huntable public terrain, meaningful elevation diversity, and a harvest record that trends favorably when hunters commit to working the country. With 6% designated wilderness, the terrain doesn't require a guide for most of the unit's huntable acreage — a significant plus for DIY hunters targeting western Colorado mule deer.
This article draws on data compiled by HuntPilot to give hunters a clear-eyed look at what Unit 68 actually delivers: harvest success rates over five years, trophy potential, herd survey data, and application logistics for the 2026 draw cycle.
Harvest Success Rates
The five-year harvest record for Unit 68 tells an honest story — this is a unit where success rates are real, not inflated by easy hunting or oversized tag allocations.
| Year | Hunters | Harvested | Success Rate | |------|---------|-----------|--------------| | 2021 | 881 | 424 | 48% | | 2022 | 959 | 442 | 46% | | 2023 | 919 | 415 | 45% | | 2024 | 852 | 327 | 38% | | 2025 | 679 | 394 | 58% |
The five-year average hovers in the mid-to-upper 40% range, which is solid for a western Colorado limited-entry mule deer unit. The 2024 season stands out as a down year — 38% success despite 852 hunters in the field, the lowest success rate in the dataset. That dip likely reflects a combination of factors: weather patterns, deer movement timing, and increased field pressure. The 2025 rebound to 58% success is notable and came with a smaller hunter count (679), suggesting either better conditions, more concentrated deer, or both.
One trend worth watching: hunter numbers have dropped from a peak of 959 in 2022 to 679 in 2025 — a 29% reduction in field pressure over three years. That declining pressure, combined with a strong 2025 success rate, is a positive signal for hunters entering the 2026 draw.
The raw harvest numbers (394–442 in most years) are consistent enough to indicate a healthy, stable deer population that can sustain moderate harvest pressure year after year. This isn't a boom-and-bust unit.
Trophy Quality
Counties overlapping Unit 68 carry a moderate history of trophy-class mule deer production. This isn't the same caliber as Colorado's elite trophy units in the southwest or Gunnison basin, but hunters willing to put in the legwork will find mature bucks in this country. The unit has produced trophy-class animals, though hunters should approach it with realistic expectations — it's not a destination-level trophy factory, and the limited draw pressure doesn't immediately translate to wall-hanger density.
The elevation profile is favorable for growing mature bucks: high alpine summer range allows deer to put on mass during the growing season, and the unit's rugged topography creates natural refuges where older age-class animals can survive past their first few years. Forum accounts from hunters who've spent time in the unit reference respectable, mature bucks — not giants, but the kind of deer that justify investing preference points.
For hunters chasing a true trophy-quality buck, Unit 68 should be considered a solid but not exceptional option. The moderate trophy history suggests the unit supports some quality animals without being in the upper tier of Colorado's most coveted draw tags.
Herd Health & Population Trends
The available wildlife survey data for Unit 68 is limited — only a single survey year (2024) is in the dataset, showing a buck-to-doe ratio of 25:100. That figure should be interpreted carefully given the single data point. A 25:100 ratio is on the lower end of what managers typically target for a healthy, trophy-producing herd — most Colorado mule deer managers aim for ratios in the 30–40 bucks per 100 does range.
That single survey number alone isn't cause for alarm, but it does warrant attention. Without multi-year trend data to compare against, it's difficult to determine whether the 2024 ratio represents a temporary dip, a structural trend, or a survey artifact from limited sample coverage. Hunters should keep an eye on Colorado Parks & Wildlife's annual herd management updates for Unit 68, particularly the herd management plan objectives for this unit, to understand how the current ratio compares to management targets.
The harvest data provides some indirect evidence of herd health. The unit sustained consistent harvests in the 415–442 range from 2021–2023, suggesting deer numbers were holding. The 2024 harvest dropping to 327 despite 852 hunters in the field — the largest hunter count in the dataset — could reflect tighter deer numbers or behavioral changes in response to weather and pressure. The 2025 bounce-back to 394 harvested with significantly fewer hunters suggests the population responded positively to reduced pressure or favorable conditions.
Access & Terrain
Unit 68 covers nearly 386,000 acres with 90% public land — one of the strongest public land access profiles a hunter can find in Colorado. For DIY hunters, this is a major asset. There's no need to knock on ranch doors or pay for trespass fees to access the bulk of this unit. The 10% private land does exist, and hunters should verify boundaries before pressing into drainages that front private inholdings, but the overall access picture is excellent.
The elevation range — from 7,583 feet to 13,822 feet — is textbook western Colorado mule deer country. The lower elevations provide sage and oakbrush habitat, transition zones that deer favor during seasonal movements. Mid-elevation timbered slopes offer security cover. The high alpine basins above treeline serve as summer range and early-season holding areas where deer feed heavily on forbs and grasses before the first hard frosts push them down.
With 6% wilderness designation, a small portion of the unit falls under designated wilderness. In Colorado — unlike Wyoming — nonresidents are not required to hire a guide to hunt wilderness. DIY hunters can access wilderness areas within Unit 68 without guide or outfitter assistance. That said, wilderness terrain in this unit will be more demanding: rougher country, longer pack-in distances, and pack-out logistics for harvested animals require physical fitness and solid backcountry planning.
Forum accounts describe some areas of the unit as road-accessible while other sections require genuine boot leather to reach the best country. The unit's combination of 90% public land and mixed road/non-road access means hunters at varying fitness levels can find huntable terrain — from hunters running a spike camp in the high country to those working timbered benches accessible from lower trailheads.
HuntPilot Analysis: Is Unit 68 Worth Applying For?
Short answer: Yes — with clear-eyed expectations.
Unit 68 checks the core boxes that make a limited-entry Colorado mule deer draw worth pursuing: 90% public land, consistent 40–50%+ harvest success over five years, legitimate elevation diversity, and moderate trophy potential. The 2025 season's 58% success rate with lower hunter numbers is an encouraging trend.
The unit is not a slam-dunk trophy destination. Hunters chasing a record-class mule deer should probably be targeting Colorado's more prestigious trophy units, where points requirements are steeper and trophy density is higher. But for hunters who want a realistic shot at a quality mature buck on excellent public land without the decade-long point grind that elite Colorado units demand, Unit 68 is a compelling option.
The 25:100 buck-to-doe ratio from the 2024 survey is something to monitor — a single year of data doesn't define a unit, but it does suggest hunters shouldn't assume exceptional trophy density. The harvest data is more reassuring: five consecutive years of positive harvest in the 38–58% range indicate a unit that consistently produces opportunities.
DIY hunters will appreciate the 90% public land and the manageable wilderness footprint. Backcountry-capable hunters willing to push into the high alpine zones and timber should find less-pressured deer than hunters working road-accessible areas. The declining hunter counts from 2022 to 2025 also suggest the unit may be drawing less competitive application attention in recent years — potentially a value play for mid-tier point holders.
How to Apply
Unit 68 mule deer tags are distributed through Colorado's limited-entry draw system, which uses a preference point hierarchy — the highest-point applicants are drawn first, making point accumulation critical for competitive units.
2026 Application Details:
Applications for the 2026 draw open March 1, 2026, with a deadline of April 7, 2026. Draw results are released May 26, 2026.
Resident costs (2026):
- Application fee: $8.93 (exact)
- License fee: $53.19 (required to apply — this must be purchased before submitting a draw application)
- Tag fee: $51.00
- Preference point fee (if not drawing): $50.00
Nonresident costs (2026):
- Application fee: $11.49 (exact)
- License fee: $117.62 (required to apply — this must be purchased before submitting a draw application)
- Tag fee: $507.00
- Preference point fee (if not drawing): $100.00
Important: Colorado requires hunters to purchase an annual hunting license before submitting a draw application. The license fees listed above are separate from the application and tag fees. Nonresidents should budget the license fee as a real upfront cost of entering the draw — even if they don't draw a tag, the license fee is not refundable.
For current draw odds by point level, visit HuntPilot's Colorado draw page at /states/co — draw percentages shift annually and should be verified against the most recent data before applying.
Dates and fees are subject to change. Always verify current application details at the Colorado Parks & Wildlife website before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the terrain like in Colorado Unit 68?
Unit 68 covers nearly 386,000 acres of western Colorado country ranging from approximately 7,600 feet to nearly 13,800 feet in elevation. Hunters will encounter sagebrush and oakbrush at lower elevations, timbered mid-slopes, and open alpine terrain above treeline. With 90% public land, most of the unit is freely accessible. A small wilderness component (6%) exists but does not require a guide for Colorado hunters, resident or nonresident.
What is the harvest success rate in Colorado Unit 68?
Over the five years from 2021 to 2025, harvest success in Unit 68 has ranged from 38% (2024) to 58% (2025), with most years landing in the 45–48% range. The unit averaged between 327 and 442 deer harvested annually across that period, with hunter counts ranging from 679 to 959.
How big are the mule deer in Colorado Unit 68?
The counties overlapping Unit 68 have a moderate trophy history. The unit can produce mature, quality bucks — particularly in less-pressured high-country terrain — but it doesn't rank among Colorado's elite trophy destinations. Hunters should expect an opportunity at a legitimate mature mule deer; exceptional record-class bucks are possible but not the norm.
Is Colorado Unit 68 worth applying for?
For hunters who prioritize accessible public land, consistent harvest success, and a fair shot at a mature mule deer without an extreme preference point investment, Unit 68 is worth serious consideration. The 90% public land profile is excellent for DIY hunters. Trophy expectations should be moderate — this isn't a unit where hunters routinely take record-book deer, but quality animals are available to hunters who hunt hard and know the country. Check current draw odds at HuntPilot's Colorado page before committing points.
What are the application fees for Colorado Unit 68 mule deer in 2026?
For 2026, resident hunters pay an $8.93 application fee plus a $53.19 license (required to apply) and a $51.00 tag fee if drawn. Nonresidents pay an $11.49 application fee plus a $117.62 license (required to apply) and a $507.00 tag fee if drawn. Applications open March 1, 2026, and close April 7, 2026, with results posted May 26, 2026.