GMU 301 GMU 301 — Moffat Co.
High-success limited-draw mule deer and pronghorn on a heavily private Yampa-side unit
Northwest Colorado — Moffat County sage-steppe and dryland ranch country · Last reviewed 2026-07-12
Area
367
sq mi
Public land
15%
approx.
Elevation
6,000–8,500
feet
Motorized
moderate
access
Overview
GMU 301 is a compact (roughly 370-square-mile) unit in Moffat County, bounded by the Yampa River on the south, Colorado 13/789 on the east, and Moffat County roads on the north and west. It is overwhelmingly private ranch and dryland-ag ground — only about 15% is public and most of that is scattered BLM — yet it posts some of the best mule deer and pronghorn success rates in Colorado. Both deer and antelope are limited-draw, and the tags are highly sought; the unit also holds a large elk herd, but low public access makes elk a tough, low-success hunt for anyone without private permission.
Terrain
Rolling sage-steppe basins and dryland farm ground broken by low pinyon-juniper mesas and rims, sloping down to the Yampa River on the south edge. Walking is generally moderate and the country is mostly 2WD/4WD accessible where you have access.
Cover: Roughly two-thirds sage and sage-steppe with about a third in dryland agriculture; pinyon-juniper caps the higher mesas and rims.
Landmarks: Yampa River (south boundary) · Colorado 13/789 corridor · Moffat County road grid · sage-steppe benches and dryland ag fields
Access
This is a private-land unit — roughly 85% private ranch and farm ground, only about 11% scattered BLM and a few percent State Trust. The high success rates largely reflect hunters with landowner permission, landowner vouchers, or leases. Colorado State Trust lands are generally NOT open to hunting unless enrolled in CPW's Public Access Program, so the usable public land is minimal. Knock on doors early, secure permission in advance, and map the scattered BLM parcels carefully before relying on them.
Managers: private ranch / dryland agriculture, BLM (scattered), Colorado State Trust (generally closed to hunting)
Access points: Colorado 13/789 between Craig and Maybell · Moffat County Roads 5, 158, 3, 108, 17 · scattered BLM parcels off the county grid
Species notes
Mule Deer
common qualityThe marquee draw — one of Colorado's better mule deer success stories, with roughly 60% of limited-draw tags filled and strong buck quality on the productive sage-steppe and ag-edge ground. Tags are hard to draw and worth the point wait.
- →Glass sage benches and pinyon-juniper rim edges at first and last light where bucks feed off the ag ground.
- →Work the transitions between dryland fields, sage, and juniper security cover.
- →Secure private permission or target the scattered BLM early — access, not deer, is the limiting factor.
Pronghorn
common qualityA standout pronghorn unit — the open sage-steppe basins produce strong success (around two-thirds of tags filled) and good buck quality. Limited-draw, and a favorite of Colorado antelope hunters.
- →Glass the open sage flats and basin edges long, then spot-and-stalk using swales and rises.
- →Key on water and green feed during warm, dry early seasons.
- →Locate a buck the evening before and be set up on his morning pattern at first light.
Rocky Mountain Elk
common opportunityThe unit holds a large elk herd occupying available habitat, but limited public access drags rifle success down to under 20%. Elk live largely on private ranches — a good hunt with permission, a hard one without.
- →Access is everything — line up private permission or a lease before the season.
- →Hunt the fence lines and cover where elk cross between private feed and any reachable public ground at dawn and dusk.
- →Later, colder weather and snow shift elk movement; catch them on transitions.
Pro tips
- →This is a private-land unit — the high success rates assume you have permission, a landowner voucher, or a lease.
- →Mule deer and pronghorn are the reasons to apply; both are limited-draw with excellent success for those with access.
- →State Trust ground is generally closed — don't count it as public; verify the scattered BLM parcels before the hunt.
- →Secure permission months ahead — access, not game density, is the hard part here.
- →Elk are here in numbers but overwhelmingly on private; expect low success on public.
Watch out for
- !About 85% private — very little usable public land, and much of the harvest is on permission.
- !Colorado State Trust lands are generally closed to hunting unless enrolled in CPW's Public Access Program.
- !Scattered, easily-mixed public/private boundaries — map ownership carefully.
- !Muddy county and ranch roads after rain.
- !Respect ranch and dryland-ag private lines; get permission in writing.
Logistics
Craig, just east on US 40 / Colorado 13, is the main hub for lodging, fuel, groceries, and gear, with Maybell to the west on US 40. Services inside the unit are essentially nil — plan to base out of Craig or camp where you have permission. Roads are the Moffat County grid plus ranch two-tracks; most is 2WD/4WD accessible but turns to mud with rain, and expect zero to light snow in the early seasons.
Nearest towns: Craig, CO, Maybell, CO, Hayden, CO, Steamboat Springs, CO
Seasons & regulations
This page carries no season dates or regulations. Get current rules from the official Colorado sources:
Research sources: Colorado GMU boundaries (CPW GIS) · HuntScore — Colorado GMU 301 (Moffat County) · Hunters Domain — Colorado Unit 301
FAQ
- How big is GMU 301 in Colorado?
- GMU 301 (GMU 301 — Moffat Co.) covers about 367 square miles, ranging from roughly 6,000 to 8,500 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.
- How much public land is in GMU 301?
- Approximately 15% of the unit is public land. Primary managers: private ranch / dryland agriculture, BLM (scattered), Colorado State Trust (generally closed to hunting). Always verify ownership boundaries on the ground.
- What species does the catalog list for GMU 301?
- Mule Deer, Pronghorn, 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 301 on your map.
Boundary lines, public/private ownership, topo, and offline maps for this unit — in Baseline Maps, free for 14 days.