Colorado Unit 87 Pronghorn Antelope Hunting Guide

Colorado Unit 87 presents an intriguing opportunity for pronghorn hunters seeking consistent harvest success in the eastern plains. Located at elevations ranging from 4,819 to 6,385 feet across 714,794 acres, this unit has demonstrated reliable performance with harvest success rates consistently above 55% in recent years. The terrain consists of rolling prairie and agricultural lands typical of Colorado's eastern region, offering hunters a chance to pursue pronghorn in classic high plains habitat.

Unit 87's appeal lies in its proven track record for harvest success rather than exceptional trophy potential. With 56% success in 2025 and 62% success in 2023, hunters can expect reasonable odds of filling their tag while experiencing quality pronghorn hunting in expansive eastern Colorado country. The unit's moderate trophy history suggests opportunities for quality animals exist, though hunters should focus on the hunting experience and meat harvest rather than expecting record-book potential.

The unit encompasses 24% public land, meaning the majority of huntable terrain lies in private ownership. This creates both challenges and opportunities for hunters willing to secure access through landowner permission or outfitter services. The absence of designated wilderness areas simplifies access planning, as no special guide requirements apply for any hunter category.

HuntPilot Analysis

Unit 87 represents a solid choice for pronghorn hunters prioritizing harvest opportunity over trophy potential. The data from HuntPilot reveals consistently strong success rates, with four recent years showing harvest success between 56% and 62%. These figures place Unit 87 among Colorado's more reliable pronghorn units for hunters seeking to fill their tag.

The harvest numbers tell a compelling story of hunting opportunity. In 2024, 1,511 hunters took 853 pronghorn for 56% success, while 2023 saw 1,408 hunters harvest 867 animals at 62% success. Even the reduced hunter numbers in 2025 (755 hunters) maintained the 56% success rate with 424 animals harvested. This consistency across varying hunter participation levels demonstrates the unit's stable pronghorn population and huntable numbers.

Wildlife survey data shows an average buck-to-doe ratio of 40:100 across six surveys from 2018-2024. This ratio indicates a healthy breeding population with adequate buck numbers for hunting opportunity. While not exceptional by Colorado standards, the sustained ratio suggests good herd management and recruitment.

The primary challenge facing hunters in Unit 87 centers on land access. With only 24% public land, successful hunters typically need to secure private land permission or invest in outfitter services. This access limitation explains why some hunters achieve success while others struggle, depending largely on their ability to navigate the private land landscape.

For hunters comfortable with private land negotiations or willing to hire professional services, Unit 87 offers excellent value. The combination of consistent success rates and moderate trophy potential makes this unit worth applying for, particularly for hunters seeking their first Colorado pronghorn or those prioritizing harvest success over record-book aspirations.

Harvest Success Rates

Recent harvest data reveals Unit 87 as one of Colorado's more consistent pronghorn producers. Over the four-year period from 2022-2025, harvest success has remained remarkably stable, fluctuating only between 56% and 62%.

The 2023 hunting period produced the highest success rate at 62%, with 1,408 hunters harvesting 867 pronghorn. This represented the peak year for both hunter participation and total harvest in the recent data set. The following year, 2024, saw increased hunter numbers rise to 1,511 but harvest success dropped slightly to 56% with 853 animals taken.

Interestingly, 2025 showed a significant reduction in hunter numbers to 755, yet maintained the 56% success rate with 424 pronghorn harvested. This consistency despite lower hunter pressure suggests the unit's pronghorn population remains stable and huntable numbers persist across varying participation levels.

The 2022 season established the baseline for this successful period, with 1,025 hunters achieving 59% success and harvesting 606 animals. This four-year average of approximately 58% success places Unit 87 in the upper tier of Colorado pronghorn units for harvest reliability.

These success rates reflect both the unit's healthy pronghorn population and the hunting pressure dynamics created by limited public access. Hunters who successfully navigate the private land access challenges tend to find quality hunting opportunities, while those restricted to the 24% public land face more competition and potentially lower success rates.

Trophy Quality

Unit 87 demonstrates moderate trophy potential based on historical records from counties overlapping the unit boundaries. The area has produced trophy-class pronghorn over multiple decades, though hunters should calibrate expectations appropriately for a unit that emphasizes harvest opportunity over exceptional trophy production.

The moderate trophy history indicates that quality pronghorn exist within Unit 87's boundaries, with trophy-class animals taken periodically from the area. However, the unit's primary strength lies in consistent harvest opportunity rather than producing exceptional trophies. Hunters seeking their first quality pronghorn or those focused on meat harvest will find the trophy potential adequate for their goals.

Trophy production appears linked to the unit's habitat quality and herd management rather than exceptional genetics or protected populations. The rolling plains and agricultural edges provide good forage and cover for pronghorn development, supporting animals that can reach respectable maturity given adequate protection from hunting pressure.

Hunters should approach Unit 87 with realistic trophy expectations. While trophy-class animals have been recorded from the area, the unit serves better as a reliable harvest opportunity than a destination for record-book pursuits. The moderate trophy potential combined with strong success rates makes this an excellent choice for hunters building experience or seeking quality table fare.

Herd Health & Population Trends

Wildlife survey data from 2018-2024 indicates a stable pronghorn population with adequate breeding ratios for sustained hunting opportunity. The six-year average buck-to-doe ratio of 40:100 falls within acceptable parameters for pronghorn management, suggesting healthy recruitment and population dynamics.

This 40:100 ratio provides sufficient breeding stock while maintaining huntable buck numbers. While not exceptional compared to some premium Colorado units, the consistency of this ratio across multiple survey years demonstrates stable herd composition and successful fawn recruitment into the adult population.

The harvest data supports the survey findings, with total harvest numbers remaining relatively stable despite fluctuating hunter participation. The ability to maintain 56-62% success rates across varying hunter pressure indicates a resilient pronghorn population that can sustain current harvest levels while maintaining breeding viability.

Population trends appear stable based on the available data, with no indication of significant decline or boom-bust cycles that sometimes affect pronghorn herds. This stability benefits hunters by providing predictable hunting opportunities and supporting the unit's consistent success rates over time.

The combination of adequate buck ratios and stable harvest success suggests Unit 87's pronghorn population is well-managed and sustainable under current hunting pressure levels. Hunters can expect this stability to continue, making the unit a reliable choice for future applications.

Access & Terrain

Unit 87's 24% public land creates significant access challenges that define the hunting experience for most hunters. The majority of the unit lies in private ownership, requiring hunters to secure landowner permission, hire outfitters, or compete for limited opportunities on the available public ground.

The terrain consists of typical eastern Colorado plains habitat, with rolling prairie, agricultural fields, and scattered draws providing classic pronghorn country. Elevations range from 4,819 to 6,385 feet, creating moderate topographic relief compared to the completely flat terrain found in some pronghorn units. This elevation variation provides hunting advantages through terrain breaks and natural funnels that can concentrate pronghorn movement.

The agricultural component of Unit 87's landscape creates both opportunities and challenges. Crop fields provide excellent pronghorn habitat and feeding areas, but access often depends entirely on landowner relationships. Hunters who invest time in securing private land permission often find productive hunting on these agricultural edges where pronghorn concentrate for feeding.

Public land hunters face intense competition for limited opportunities. The small percentage of publicly accessible ground concentrates hunting pressure, potentially reducing success rates for do-it-yourself hunters unwilling or unable to secure private access. However, determined hunters with good scouting skills can still find success on public ground, particularly those willing to work harder for their opportunities.

The absence of designated wilderness areas eliminates guide requirements and access restrictions that complicate hunting in other Colorado units. All hunters, regardless of residency status, can hunt Unit 87 independently without mandatory guide services, assuming they can secure land access through private arrangement or public opportunity.

How to Apply

For 2026, Colorado pronghorn applications open March 1 with a deadline of April 7. Both residents and nonresidents must submit applications during this narrow window to enter the draw process.

Nonresident hunters face total costs of $635.62 for 2026, including an $11 application fee, $507 tag fee, $117.62 license fee (required to apply), and $100 point fee. The license fee represents a mandatory requirement that must be purchased before submitting the application, separate from the tag fee collected upon drawing.

Resident hunters pay significantly less at $163.19 total, broken down as $9 application fee, $51 tag fee, $53.19 license fee (required to apply), and $50 point fee. Colorado residents enjoy substantial savings compared to nonresident hunters, making Unit 87 particularly attractive for in-state applicants.

The point fee applies regardless of draw success, allowing hunters to accumulate preference points for future applications even if unsuccessful in the current year. Colorado operates a true preference point system where highest point holders receive priority in tag allocation.

Hunters must purchase the required hunting license before submitting their application. This license fee is separate from and additional to the application fee, representing a mandatory cost for all applicants regardless of draw outcome.

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 Unit 87? Unit 87 features rolling plains terrain typical of eastern Colorado, with elevations ranging from 4,819 to 6,385 feet. The landscape includes agricultural fields, native prairie, and scattered draws that create natural terrain breaks. This moderate topographic relief provides hunting advantages through terrain features that concentrate pronghorn movement, though the country remains predominantly open plains habitat suitable for long-range glassing and shooting opportunities.

What is the harvest success in Unit 87? Recent harvest data shows consistently strong success rates between 56% and 62% over the 2022-2025 period. The 2023 season achieved the highest success at 62% with 1,408 hunters harvesting 867 pronghorn, while 2024 and 2025 both recorded 56% success rates. This four-year consistency places Unit 87 among Colorado's more reliable pronghorn units for hunters seeking good odds of filling their tag.

How big are the pronghorn in Unit 87? Unit 87 demonstrates moderate trophy potential with a history of trophy-class animals taken from the area over multiple decades. However, hunters should expect the unit to provide good hunting opportunity rather than exceptional trophy production. The area's trophy potential is adequate for hunters seeking their first quality pronghorn or those focused on the hunting experience and meat harvest rather than record-book aspirations.

Is Unit 87 worth applying for? Yes, Unit 87 represents excellent value for hunters prioritizing harvest opportunity and hunting experience. The consistent 56-62% success rates, stable pronghorn population, and moderate trophy potential make this unit worth applying for, particularly for hunters comfortable with private land access challenges or willing to hire professional services. The unit serves well for first-time Colorado pronghorn hunters or those seeking reliable harvest opportunity over exceptional trophy potential.

What are the access challenges in Unit 87? The primary challenge is land access, with only 24% public land meaning most hunting opportunities require private landowner permission or outfitter services. Public land hunters face intense competition for limited opportunities, while those who secure private access often find excellent hunting conditions. The absence of wilderness areas eliminates guide requirements, but the private land dominance requires hunters to plan access strategies well in advance of their hunt.