GMU 118 GMU 118 — El Paso Co.
High-plains pronghorn country in the shadow of the Front Range, almost entirely private
El Paso County plains — east of Colorado Springs, Palmer Divide edge · Last reviewed 2026-07-12
Area
505
sq mi
Public land
3%
approx.
Elevation
5,300–6,800
feet
Motorized
extensive
access
Overview
GMU 118 covers the high plains of El Paso County east of Colorado Springs, rising toward the Palmer Divide and Black Forest and drained by Fountain Creek and the headwaters of Big Sandy Creek. Pronghorn are far and away the marquee species here — this unit produces the strongest antelope harvest of the eastern El Paso County plains — with deer concentrated in the cottonwood riparian bottoms and elk essentially absent. The land is overwhelmingly private ranch and farm ground, so a drawn tag is only half the battle; access is the other half.
Terrain
Rolling high plains climbing westward toward the Palmer Divide and Black Forest, cut by Fountain Creek and Big Sandy Creek drainages. More relief and vegetation than the far-eastern plains units.
Cover: Shortgrass and mixed-grass prairie with sand sage and yucca, scattered ponderosa on the higher divide edges, dryland farm ground and CRP, and cottonwood/willow riparian corridors along the creeks.
Landmarks: Fountain Creek · Big Sandy Creek headwaters · Palmer Divide / Black Forest edge · Turkey Track Ranch State Trust Land · US 24 and Highway 94 corridors · towns of Yoder, Rush, Ramah
Access
The unit is predominantly private with landowner permission required across most of it. The notable exception is Turkey Track Ranch State Trust Land, which is open to public hunting seasonally (approximately Sept 1 through end of February) — verify current dates and rules in the CPW Hunting Atlas. Other Colorado State Trust Lands are closed unless enrolled in the Public Access Program. Beyond Turkey Track, plan on securing ranch permission.
Managers: private ranch, private farm, Colorado State Land Board (Turkey Track Ranch STL — seasonal public access)
Access points: Turkey Track Ranch STL (seasonal public access) · Highway 94 and US 24 east of Colorado Springs · county road grid through Yoder / Rush · CPW Public Access Program walk-in properties (verify enrollment)
Species notes
Pronghorn
common opportunityThe standout hunt — pronghorn are found throughout the unit and this GMU posts the highest antelope harvest of the eastern El Paso plains, with roughly four-in-ten hunters filling tags. Crop-field edges are prime. All Colorado pronghorn tags are limited-draw.
- →Start by glassing around crop fields where pronghorn concentrate
- →Spot-and-stalk using terrain rolls and draws
- →Hunt Turkey Track STL during its open public window for accessible ground
- →Water sources and green fields draw animals in dry early-season stretches
Mule Deer
common opportunityDeer concentrate in the cottonwood riparian corridors — Fountain Creek is a notable concentration area — rather than the open prairie. Success is moderate and every deer tag is limited-draw and access-dependent.
- →Focus on cottonwood/willow bottoms along Fountain Creek and Big Sandy Creek
- →Hunt the transition between creek cover and crop fields at dawn/dusk
- →Glass the brushy draws off the divide
- →Access permission is decisive
Whitetail Deer
limited opportunityWhitetail share the dense creek-bottom cottonwood corridors with mule deer, favoring the thickest riparian cover along Fountain Creek and the Big Sandy.
- →Hunt the heaviest cottonwood/willow bottoms
- →Watch trails from timber to adjacent crop ground
- →Rut-hunt the riparian edges in November
Rocky Mountain Elk
transient lowElk are incidental on these plains — a rare wanderer off the Front Range foothills rather than a resident herd, with only a token animal taken most years. Any elk tag is limited-draw with very low odds.
- →Not a target species here
- →If pursuing, focus on the wooded Palmer Divide / Black Forest edge where a stray might drift
Pro tips
- →Use Turkey Track Ranch State Trust Land during its open public season for legitimate walk-in ground — confirm the current window first
- →For pronghorn, glass crop-field edges and center-pivot circles at first and last light
- →For deer, hunt the Fountain Creek cottonwood bottoms rather than the open prairie
- →Proximity to Colorado Springs makes this a comfortable base — but also means more competition for permission near town
- →Lead landowner asks with pronghorn; permission comes easier than for deer
Watch out for
- !Aside from Turkey Track STL's seasonal access, the unit is private — get permission before hunting
- !Other State Trust Lands are closed unless enrolled in the Public Access Program
- !Confirm Turkey Track's current open dates and rules each year — they can change
- !Fire danger and afternoon thunderstorms in early season
- !Muddy roads after rain/snow; respect ranch gates and livestock
Logistics
Colorado Springs (and Falcon) put full services — fuel, lodging, processing, gear — within easy reach, making 118 one of the more logistically convenient plains units. Hunt out of town and drive to access each morning. Cell coverage is good near the city and fades east.
Nearest towns: Colorado Springs, Falcon, Yoder, Rush, Ramah
Seasons & regulations
This page carries no season dates or regulations. Get current rules from the official Colorado sources:
Research sources: CPW Colorado Hunting Atlas (GMU boundaries, public land, State Trust Land access) · CPW Big Game Statistics · HuntScore — GMU 118 (El Paso County) access and species overview
FAQ
- How big is GMU 118 in Colorado?
- GMU 118 (GMU 118 — El Paso Co.) covers about 505 square miles, ranging from roughly 5,300 to 6,800 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.
- How much public land is in GMU 118?
- Approximately 3% of the unit is public land. Primary managers: private ranch, private farm, Colorado State Land Board (Turkey Track Ranch STL — seasonal public access). Always verify ownership boundaries on the ground.
- What species does the catalog list for GMU 118?
- Pronghorn, Mule Deer, Whitetail Deer, Rocky Mountain Elk. For seasons, tags, and regulations, use the official Colorado agency resources linked on this page — this page carries no regulatory information.
Put GMU 118 on your map.
Boundary lines, public/private ownership, topo, and offline maps for this unit — in Baseline Maps, free for 14 days.