Colorado — Elk

CO Elk Unit 85

Name: Colorado Unit 85 Elk Hunting Data
Creator: HuntPilot
License: https://huntpilot.ai/terms

Total Acres

751,836

Public Land

18%

Wilderness

Elevation

5,988–13,560 ft

Season Dates

Year	Weapon	Dates	Tag Type	Sex
2026	Archery — EE-085-V-1-A	Sep 2, 2026 — Sep 30, 2026	—	either
2026	Archery — EF-085-V-1-A	Sep 2, 2026 — Sep 30, 2026	—	female
2026	Muzzleloader — EE-085-O-1-M	Sep 12, 2026 — Sep 20, 2026	—	either
2026	Muzzleloader — EF-085-O-1-M	Sep 12, 2026 — Sep 20, 2026	—	female
2026	Rifle — EF-085-O-3-R	Nov 7, 2026 — Nov 15, 2026	—	female
2026	Rifle — EF-085-O-2-R	Oct 24, 2026 — Nov 1, 2026	—	female
2026	Rifle — EF-085-P-6-R	Dec 1, 2026 — Dec 31, 2026	—	female
2026	Rifle — EF-085-L-1-R	Dec 15, 2026 — Dec 31, 2026	—	female
2026	Rifle — EF-085-P-5-R	Oct 14, 2026 — Nov 30, 2026	—	female
2026	Rifle — EE-085-P-1-R	Oct 14, 2026 — Oct 18, 2026	—	either
2026	Rifle — EE-085-O-4-R	Nov 18, 2026 — Nov 22, 2026	—	either
2026	Rifle — EE-085-O-1-R	Oct 14, 2026 — Oct 18, 2026	—	either
2026	Rifle — EF-085-O-4-R	Nov 18, 2026 — Nov 22, 2026	—	female

Trophy Data

B&C Entries

Avg Score

378.8

Top Score

400.2

Recent (5yr)

Herd Data

Bull : Cow

32per 100

2024 Survey

Population Est.

15,530

2024 Survey

AI Scout Analysis

# CO 85 Tactical Analysis **Terrain & Access:** Unit 85 spans high elevation (5,988–13,560 ft) with only 18% public land, making access restrictive and requiring strong pre-hunt scouting or outfitter knowledge to locate huntable areas. High alpine and subalpine terrain will demand solid fitness and pack capability. **Herd Quality:** The 6-year wildlife survey average shows a 27:100 bull:cow ratio—**below average** herd composition, indicating moderate harvest pressure or natural recruitment...

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Tag Quotas & Applicant Volume

Year	Weapon	Residency	Applicants	Tags issued
46 recent records available — Sign up to see current data
2023	Muzzleloader (Either S1)	resident	94	75
2023	Muzzleloader (Either S1)	nonresident	112	40
2023	Rifle (Either S1)	resident	138	59
2023	Rifle (Either S1)	nonresident	48	21
2023	Rifle (Either S4)	resident	47	75
2023	Rifle (Either S4)	nonresident	34	36
2023	Rifle (Either S1)	resident	85	89
2023	Rifle (Either S1)	nonresident	121	121
2023	Rifle (Female S1)	resident	45	32
2023	Rifle (Female S1)	nonresident	4	4
2023	Muzzleloader (Female S1)	resident	12	58
2023	Muzzleloader (Female S1)	nonresident	1	16
2023	Rifle (Female S2)	resident	78	37
2023	Rifle (Female S2)	nonresident	11	5
2023	Rifle (Female S3)	resident	30	39
2023	Rifle (Female S3)	nonresident	8	10
2023	Rifle (Female S4)	resident	3	28
2023	Rifle (Female S5)	resident	213	135
2023	Rifle (Female S5)	nonresident	22	8
2023	Rifle (Female S6)	resident	184	137
2023	Rifle (Female S6)	nonresident	13	13

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Harvest Data

Year	Weapon	Hunters	Harvest	Success
17 recent records available — Sign up to see current harvest data
2023		2,931	528	18.0%
2023	Rifle	1,708	389	23.0%
2023	Archery	1,051	107	10.0%
2023	Muzzleloader	173	32	18.0%