GMU 751 GMU 751 — Archuleta/Hinsdale/La Plata/San Juan Co.
OTC bull elk and strong mule deer in deep Weminuche Wilderness backcountry
Southwest Colorado — Animas & Vallecito high country, Weminuche edge · Last reviewed 2026-07-12
Area
464
sq mi
Public land
75%
approx.
Elevation
7,000–14,083
feet
Motorized
wilderness
access
Overview
GMU 751 runs the rugged spine between the Animas River (the Durango–Silverton corridor) and Vallecito Creek in Archuleta, Hinsdale, La Plata, and San Juan Counties, taking in the western edge of the Weminuche Wilderness and the towering Needle Mountains. This is deep, high, public San Juan National Forest country where hunts often mean long backpack or horseback trips to alpine basins and timbered benches. Mule deer carry the harvest and are genuinely quality, while elk are an over-the-counter opportunity — unlimited tags and low success reflect hard, pressured backcountry hunting rather than a weak herd.
Terrain
Extreme high-relief wilderness terrain — river canyons and aspen benches rising through spruce-fir timber into alpine basins and 14,000-foot peaks in the Needle Mountains.
Cover: Oakbrush and aspen on the lower slopes, dense spruce-fir dark timber through the mid-elevations, and alpine tundra, willow, and rock above timberline, with willow-choked creek bottoms.
Landmarks: Needle Mountains (Chicago Basin — 14ers Eolus, Sunlight, Windom) · Animas River corridor (Durango–Silverton railroad) · Vallecito Creek · Weminuche Wilderness (western portion) · Los Pinos drainage
Access
A heavily public wilderness-edge unit — the bulk is San Juan National Forest and Weminuche Wilderness, so public access is excellent but earned on foot or horseback. Wilderness rules mean no motorized or mechanized travel in the core; expect long approaches. Some private ranch ground and inholdings sit on the lower Vallecito and southern fringe. State Trust Land is generally closed unless enrolled in CPW's Public Access Program.
Managers: USFS San Juan National Forest, Weminuche Wilderness, private ranch (lower Vallecito / Bayfield fringe), Colorado State Trust Land (generally closed unless in CPW Public Access Program)
Access points: Vallecito Creek trailhead (from Vallecito Reservoir) · Purgatory / Animas trailheads off US 550 · Durango & Silverton railroad drop-offs (Needleton) into the Needles · Los Pinos / Pine River trailhead into the Weminuche
Species notes
Mule Deer
abundant qualityThe strongest opportunity in the unit and the backbone of the harvest — good deer numbers with solid success and quality bucks in classic San Juan high country. Fully limited-draw. Deer use aspen benches, oakbrush pockets, and alpine edges, dropping toward lower country as snow builds.
- →Glass aspen benches, oakbrush edges, and alpine basins at first and last light
- →Mature bucks hold in aspen stringers and dark-timber pockets through midday
- →High-country early seasons put bucks in the alpine before they migrate down
- →Snow drives deer down the Animas and Vallecito drainages — hunt the transitions
Rocky Mountain Elk
common opportunityElk are over-the-counter in the 2nd and 3rd rifle seasons and either-sex archery, meaning unlimited tags and heavy pressure. Low success reflects hard, deep backcountry hunting — the elk are here, but you earn them well off the trailheads. Bulls hold in the timber and wilderness pockets away from roads.
- →Backpack or ride deep into the Weminuche away from the day-hunter crowd
- →Hunt spruce-fir dark timber and timbered benches where pressured elk hide
- →Archery: work wallows and timbered draws in the rut
- →Late rifle: intercept elk sliding down out of the high wilderness with the snow
- →Prioritize physical fitness and self-sufficiency for multi-day backcountry hunts
Mountain Goat
limited qualityThe Needle Mountains — especially Chicago Basin — are one of Colorado's classic mountain goat strongholds. A rare, tightly limited draw and a genuine alpine mountaineering hunt on the cliffs and tundra above timberline.
- →Access the Needles via the Animas railroad drop at Needleton or long trail approaches
- →Glass alpine tundra, cliff bands, and rockslides for goats
- →Plan for high-altitude camps and technical alpine terrain
Bighorn Sheep
limited qualityRocky Mountain bighorn use the high alpine cliffs and basins of the Weminuche and Needle Mountains — a rare limited-draw sheep opportunity in true high wilderness.
- →Glass high alpine basins, cliff faces, and ridgelines above timberline
- →Locate rams early and commit to a deliberate high-country stalk
- →Expect serious backcountry effort at extreme elevation
Black Bear
common opportunityBlack bears work the oakbrush and aspen belts in early fall on the acorn and berry crop — typical San Juan bear country, usually an incidental tag while chasing elk or deer.
- →Hunt oakbrush and berry patches on the lower slopes in early fall
- →Glass feeding bears on shrubby south faces at dawn and dusk
- →Commonly an add-on during archery hunts
Pro tips
- →Treat 751 as a deer and wilderness-backpack unit first — the payoff is quality bucks and solitude for those willing to walk
- →For OTC elk, distance from the trailhead is everything; the roadless core hides the bulls
- →The Durango & Silverton railroad drop at Needleton is a legendary and efficient way into the Needle Mountains
- →Respect Weminuche Wilderness rules — no motorized or mechanized travel in the core
- →Plan multi-day, self-supported hunts and be honest about your high-altitude fitness
Watch out for
- !Wilderness core requires long foot or horseback approaches — no motorized access
- !Private ranch ground and inholdings on the lower Vallecito / southern fringe
- !State Trust Land is generally closed unless enrolled in CPW's Public Access Program
- !Early heavy snow, avalanche terrain, and extreme high-altitude exposure
- !Low OTC elk success unless you commit to deep backcountry effort
Logistics
Durango and Bayfield provide lodging, gas, groceries, and outfitters; Vallecito Reservoir is the main jumping-off point for the eastern trailheads. This is a wilderness unit — most quality hunting requires backpacking or horseback packing miles from the trailhead, and the Durango & Silverton railroad is a unique way to access the Needle Mountains. Prepare for early snow, high altitude, and true self-sufficiency.
Nearest towns: Durango, Bayfield, Vallecito, Silverton
Seasons & regulations
This page carries no season dates or regulations. Get current rules from the official Colorado sources:
Research sources: Horn and Fin — Colorado DIY GMU 75 & 751 · GOHUNT Colorado Unit 75/751 Profiles · CPW Big Game Hunting
FAQ
- How big is GMU 751 in Colorado?
- GMU 751 (GMU 751 — Archuleta/Hinsdale/La Plata/San Juan Co.) covers about 464 square miles, ranging from roughly 7,000 to 14,083 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.
- How much public land is in GMU 751?
- Approximately 75% of the unit is public land. Primary managers: USFS San Juan National Forest, Weminuche Wilderness, private ranch (lower Vallecito / Bayfield fringe), 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 751?
- Mule Deer, Rocky Mountain Elk, Mountain Goat, Bighorn Sheep, 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 751 on your map.
Boundary lines, public/private ownership, topo, and offline maps for this unit — in Baseline Maps, free for 14 days.