CO Mule Deer Unit 851

CO 851 — Tactical Analysis. Terrain & Access CO 851 spans 280,000 acres across dramatic elevation—from 6,000 ft to over 14,000 ft—creating distinct high-country and lower-elevation habitat zones. With only 19% public land, access is constrained; much of the unit is private or difficult to reach. Hunters will need to plan access carefully and expect to work hard for ground, particularly at lower elevations where private dominates. The vertical relief offers opportunity for elevation-based scouting and hunting strategy, but limited public acreage means competition for accessible areas. Herd Quality The recent buck:doe ratio reflects an above average..