GMU 4 GMU 4 — Moffat/Routt Co.
High-volume OTC elk, strong mule deer, and standout pronghorn in the sage-and-aspen country north of Craig
Northwest Colorado — Elkhead Mountains & upper Yampa · Last reviewed 2026-07-12
Area
468
sq mi
Public land
47%
approx.
Elevation
6,300–12,000
feet
Motorized
moderate
access
Overview
GMU 4 sits in far northwest Colorado between Moffat and Routt Counties, running from the sagebrush parks and mountain-shrub country north of Craig and Hayden up into the Elkhead Mountains and the western edge of the Routt National Forest along the Continental Divide. Elevation climbs from about 6,300 feet in the low sage to roughly 12,000 feet on the high divide. Elk are the headline draw and largely over-the-counter here, producing big harvest numbers under heavy pressure; mule deer are genuinely strong and draw-only; and the unit's open sage parks hold an excellent, high-success pronghorn herd. It's a classic northwest mixed-ownership unit — real public access threaded through substantial private ranch ground.
Terrain
A broad low-to-high gradient — sagebrush parks and mountain-shrub benches climbing through aspen and mixed conifer into the Elkhead Mountains and subalpine divide country.
Cover: Big sagebrush and mountain shrub in the low country, extensive aspen belts, lodgepole and spruce-fir on the higher slopes, grassy parks and meadows, and willow-lined creek bottoms.
Landmarks: Elkhead Mountains · Bears Ears Peak · Freeman Reservoir · Elkhead Reservoir · upper Yampa River country · Routt National Forest western edge
Access
A true mixed-ownership unit — the Routt NF dominates the higher eastern country and BLM blocks lace the lower sage, with substantial private ranch ground between. Public access is real and decent, but the best low-elevation winter range and some travel corridors sit on private land, so map work matters. State Trust Land is generally closed unless enrolled in the Public Access Program. Get away from the roads for better success and solitude.
Managers: USFS (Routt National Forest), BLM (Little Snake Field Office), private ranch, Colorado State Trust Land (generally closed unless in CPW Public Access Program)
Access points: Routt NF roads and trailheads off CO-13 and county roads north of Craig/Hayden · Freeman Reservoir area access · BLM two-tracks through the lower sage country · Elkhead Mountains forest access
Species notes
Rocky Mountain Elk
abundant opportunityThe marquee species and a large, huntable herd — elk here are largely over-the-counter, which drives big harvest volume but also heavy pressure and lower per-hunter success. Elk summer in the aspen and timber of the Elkhead high country and move to lower sage and shrub with weather. Volume and opportunity define this unit, not trophy management.
- →Hunt the aspen-to-conifer transitions and dark-timber pockets where pressured elk retreat
- →Get well away from roads and trailheads to find undisturbed herds
- →Glass sage and mountain-shrub parks at dawn and dusk
- →Later seasons: intercept elk sliding to lower winter range as snow builds
- →Know exactly where public ends and private begins
Mule Deer
common qualityA genuinely strong mule deer unit and part of northwest Colorado's big-buck reputation — high harvest and strong success on limited-draw tags. Deer work the sage-oakbrush-aspen mosaic and follow seasonal migration off the high country into lower winter range.
- →Glass sagebrush and mountain-shrub edges at first and last light
- →Bucks hold in oakbrush and aspen pockets through midday
- →Rut and migration put mature bucks on the move into lower country
- →Prioritize public benches and breaks with good visibility
Pronghorn
common qualityAn excellent pronghorn herd works the open sagebrush parks and grassland of the lower unit — very high success on solid harvest marks this as a genuine draw-tag prize, not just a bonus. Antelope favor the wide sage flats and rolling parks.
- →Glass open sage flats and parks for scattered bands
- →Use terrain and the sparse cover to close the distance
- →Water sources and open feeding areas concentrate animals
- →Judge bucks carefully at distance with good optics
Black Bear
common opportunityBlack bears work the aspen, oakbrush, and berry-rich slopes, especially in early fall — typical of northwest Colorado's mountain-shrub habitat. Usually an incidental opportunity alongside elk or deer.
- →Hunt oakbrush and berry patches in early fall
- →Glass feeding bears at dawn and dusk on shrubby slopes
- →Often taken while hunting elk or deer
Pro tips
- →Elk here are OTC and pressured — success comes from boots, distance from roads, and hunting the thick timber
- →The pronghorn hunt is a quiet standout: very high success on the lower sage — a draw tag worth chasing
- →Mule deer are strong and draw-only; build points and time later hunts to migration
- →Nail down public-vs-private with a GPS layer — the best winter range and corridors often sit on ranch ground
- →Watch the clay roads — get out ahead of storms or plan to sit them out
Watch out for
- !Private ranch inholdings and landlocked public — verify boundaries carefully
- !State Trust Lands generally closed unless enrolled in the Public Access Program
- !Heavy pressure during OTC elk seasons
- !Clay/dirt roads become impassable when wet
- !Recent hard winters have dented deer and elk numbers — expect a recovery curve
- !Early-season fire danger in dry years
Logistics
Craig and Hayden are the practical hubs for fuel, lodging, groceries, and processing, with Steamboat Springs a short drive southeast for fuller services. Backcountry roads are dirt and clay that turn greasy and impassable when wet — carry chains, recovery gear, and watch the weather. Cell coverage fades quickly off the main corridors, and camps should be bearproofed.
Nearest towns: Craig, Hayden, Steamboat Springs (services, ~40 min SE), Clark
Seasons & regulations
This page carries no season dates or regulations. Get current rules from the official Colorado sources:
Research sources: CPW Big Game Hunting & Statistics · CPW Hunting Atlas — GMU boundaries and public access · BLM Colorado — Little Snake Field Office · USFS — Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests
FAQ
- How big is GMU 4 in Colorado?
- GMU 4 (GMU 4 — Moffat/Routt Co.) covers about 468 square miles, ranging from roughly 6,300 to 12,000 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.
- How much public land is in GMU 4?
- Approximately 47% of the unit is public land. Primary managers: USFS (Routt National Forest), BLM (Little Snake Field Office), private ranch, Colorado State Trust Land (generally closed unless in CPW Public Access Program). Always verify ownership boundaries on the ground.
- What species does the catalog list for GMU 4?
- Rocky Mountain Elk, Mule Deer, Pronghorn, Black Bear. For seasons, tags, and regulations, use the official Colorado agency resources linked on this page — this page carries no regulatory information.
Put GMU 4 on your map.
Boundary lines, public/private ownership, topo, and offline maps for this unit — in Baseline Maps, free for 14 days.