Colorado — Elk

CO Elk Unit 53

Name: Colorado Unit 53 Elk Hunting Data
Creator: HuntPilot
License: https://huntpilot.ai/terms

Total Acres

253,634

Public Land

80%

Wilderness

31%

Elevation

5,323–12,688 ft

Season Dates

Year	Weapon	Dates	Tag Type	Sex
2026	Archery — EE-053-V-1-A	Sep 2, 2026 — Sep 30, 2026	—	either
2026	Muzzleloader — EM-053-O-1-M	Sep 12, 2026 — Sep 20, 2026	—	male
2026	Muzzleloader — EF-053-O-1-M	Sep 12, 2026 — Sep 20, 2026	—	female
2026	Rifle — EF-057-O-3-R	Nov 18, 2026 — Nov 22, 2026	—	female
2026	Rifle — EF-053-P-5-R	Dec 1, 2026 — Jan 31, 2027	—	female
2026	Rifle — EF-053-O-4-R	Oct 24, 2026 — Nov 1, 2026	—	female
2026	Rifle — EF-053-O-3-R	Nov 7, 2026 — Nov 15, 2026	—	female
2026	Rifle — EF-053-O-2-R	Oct 24, 2026 — Nov 1, 2026	—	female
2026	Rifle — EF-053-O-1-R	Oct 14, 2026 — Oct 18, 2026	—	female
2026	Rifle — EE-053-P-4-R	Nov 18, 2026 — Nov 22, 2026	—	either
2026	Rifle — EM-053-O-4-R	Nov 18, 2026 — Nov 22, 2026	—	male
2026	Rifle — EE-053-P-1-R	Oct 14, 2026 — Oct 18, 2026	—	either
2026	Rifle — EM-053-O-1-R	Oct 14, 2026 — Oct 18, 2026	—	male
2026	Rifle — EF-057-O-4-R	Nov 18, 2026 — Nov 22, 2026	—	female

Trophy Data

B&C Entries

Avg Score

379.7

Top Score

397.2

Recent (5yr)

Herd Data

Bull : Cow

18per 100

2024 Survey

Population Est.

8,360

2024 Survey

AI Scout Analysis

# CO 53 Tactical Analysis ## Terrain & Conditions Unit 53 spans high-elevation terrain (5,323–12,688 ft) with 80% public land and 31% wilderness—a challenging, remote hunt requiring excellent fitness and mountain navigation skills. Forum reports describe demanding conditions with moderate elk densities and recommend early/late season timing and proficiency with elk calling. ## Herd Quality The six-year average bull:cow ratio of 19:100 is **below average**, indicating moderate harvest pressure...

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Tag Quotas & Applicant Volume

Year	Weapon	Residency	Applicants	Tags issued
53 recent records available — Sign up to see current data
2023	Rifle (Either S4)	resident	5	8
2023	Rifle (Either S4)	nonresident	2	2
2023	Muzzleloader (Female S1)	resident	9	9
2023	Muzzleloader (Female S1)	nonresident	9	8
2023	Rifle (Female S1)	resident	27	8
2023	Rifle (Female S1)	nonresident	23	7
2023	Rifle (Female S2)	resident	40	20
2023	Rifle (Female S2)	nonresident	17	5
2023	Rifle (Female S3)	resident	30	24
2023	Rifle (Female S3)	nonresident	13	10
2023	Rifle (Female S4)	resident	7	15
2023	Rifle (Female S4)	nonresident	1	1
2023	Muzzleloader (Male S1)	resident	23	25
2023	Muzzleloader (Male S1)	nonresident	48	52
2023	Rifle (Male S1)	resident	46	42
2023	Rifle (Male S1)	nonresident	121	35
2023	Rifle (Male S4)	resident	3	7
2023	Rifle (Male S4)	nonresident	1	2
2023	Rifle (Either S1)	resident	17	34
2023	Rifle (Either S1)	nonresident	26	27
2023	Rifle (Female S5)	resident	81	69
2023	Rifle (Female S5)	nonresident	3	3
2023	Rifle (Female S3)	resident	163	88
2023	Rifle (Female S3)	nonresident	7	4
2023	Rifle (Female S4)	resident	85	104
2023	Rifle (Female S4)	nonresident	3	4

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Harvest Data

Year	Weapon	Hunters	Harvest	Success
16 recent records available — Sign up to see current harvest data
2023	Archery	1,170	115	10.0%
2023		2,067	275	13.0%
2023	Rifle	806	157	19.0%
2023	Muzzleloader	91	3	3.0%