GMU 79 GMU 79 — Alamosa/Mineral/Rio Grande/Saguache Co.
High-public mule deer unit on the northwest rim of the San Luis Valley
South-central Colorado — San Luis Valley & La Garita foothills (Rio Grande NF) · Last reviewed 2026-07-12
Area
427
sq mi
Public land
75%
approx.
Elevation
7,683–12,063
feet
Motorized
moderate
access
Overview
GMU 79 climbs off the northwest floor of the San Luis Valley into the La Garita foothills of the Rio Grande National Forest, straddling Mineral, Rio Grande, and Saguache counties. Mule deer are the standout here — the strongest harvest and success in the unit — with elk spread thin across big, timbered country and a modest band of pronghorn on the sage and ag fringe. Roughly three-quarters public land gives DIY hunters real room to work, but the good elk live in the roughest, highest folds.
Terrain
Transitional terrain where the flat valley floor rises through pinyon-juniper foothills into spruce-fir timber and alpine parks along the La Garita divide. Steep drainages, benches, and open parks reward hunters willing to climb away from roads.
Cover: Sagebrush and rabbitbrush on the valley fringe, pinyon-juniper and Gambel oak on the mid-slopes, aspen pockets, and dark spruce-fir timber with grassy parks up high.
Landmarks: La Garita Wilderness · La Garita Creek · Carnero Creek · Saguache Park · Natural Arch · Rio Grande National Forest
Access
About three-quarters of the unit is public — mostly Rio Grande NF up high with BLM on the foothill benches. Private agricultural ground concentrates on the east/valley-floor side, so scout ownership before committing. Colorado State Trust Lands here are generally closed to hunting unless enrolled in CPW's Public Access Program; do not treat them as open. Good road access threads most of the country before roads pinch down to primitive 4WD tracks and ATV trails.
Managers: USFS Rio Grande National Forest, BLM, private ranch
Access points: La Garita Driveway ATV trail (west side) · Carnero Creek Road · Saguache Park Road · County roads off Hwy 112 / US 160
Species notes
Mule Deer
common qualityThe unit's marquee tag and a fully limited-draw hunt. Buck licenses are capped, and success runs high for those who draw. Deer hold the pinyon-juniper and oak benches and the sage-timber edge.
- →Glass the pinyon-juniper and oak transition zones at first and last light
- →Hunt the sage-to-timber edge where deer feed out onto the fringe
- →Focus mid-elevation benches rather than the highest timber
- →Push into pockets away from ATV trails once pressure builds
Rocky Mountain Elk
common opportunityElk are spread across the timbered high country and general/OTC-style bull opportunity exists in the archery and later rifle windows, but success is low — elk here are pressured and pushed into the roughest holes. This is a work-for-it elk unit, not a gimme.
- →Hunt hard into the dark timber and steep drainages other hunters skip
- →Work the aspen-conifer edges and grassy parks at dawn
- →Use the La Garita high country during archery when bulls are vocal
- →Move camp to fresh sign rather than sitting a single basin
Pronghorn
limited opportunityA small pronghorn segment lives on the sagebrush and ag fringe of the valley floor. Tags are limited-draw and numbers are modest, but a patient spot-and-stalk hunter can connect.
- →Glass open sage flats and ag edges on the valley floor
- →Watch the private/public boundary — many bucks live on ranch ground
- →Use terrain folds to close the distance on open country
Black Bear
common opportunityBlack bears use the oak brush and aspen-timber mix, especially in fall when they hit acorns and berries. Bear tags overlap the deer and elk seasons for opportunistic hunters.
- →Glass oak brush and berry patches on south-facing slopes in early fall
- →Check aspen stands and creek bottoms with mast
- →Pair bear hunting with a deer or elk hunt in the same timber
Pro tips
- →Deer are the reason to draw this unit — if you pull a buck tag, focus the pinyon-juniper and oak benches, not the peaks
- →Elk hunters must out-work the crowd: hike past the ATV trailheads into the steep, dark timber
- →Verify land status on a mapping app before you hunt — the valley-floor east side is a private/State-Trust patchwork
- →Glass the sage-ag fringe at dawn for pronghorn and feeding deer
- →Have a lower-elevation backup plan in case an early snow closes the La Garita roads
Watch out for
- !Private agricultural inholdings on the eastern/valley-floor side — confirm boundaries
- !State Trust Lands are generally closed to hunting unless in CPW's Public Access Program
- !Elk pressure on general-license units concentrates hunters at trailheads
- !Early high-country snow can close upper 4WD and ATV routes
- !Fall fire restrictions can affect access and camping
Logistics
Base out of Del Norte or Monte Vista on US 160 for fuel, groceries, and lodging; both put you within a short drive of the foothill access roads. Forest roads open the mid-country but turn to primitive 4WD and ATV trails higher up — carry recovery gear and expect early snow to close the upper routes.
Nearest towns: Del Norte, Monte Vista, South Fork, Creede, Center
Seasons & regulations
This page carries no season dates or regulations. Get current rules from the official Colorado sources:
Research sources: GoHunt — Colorado Unit 79 Profile · HuntScore — GMU 79 (Mineral, Rio Grande, Saguache Counties) · CPW — Big Game Hunting in Southwest Colorado
FAQ
- How big is GMU 79 in Colorado?
- GMU 79 (GMU 79 — Alamosa/Mineral/Rio Grande/Saguache Co.) covers about 427 square miles, ranging from roughly 7,683 to 12,063 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.
- How much public land is in GMU 79?
- Approximately 75% of the unit is public land. Primary managers: USFS Rio Grande National Forest, BLM, private ranch. Always verify ownership boundaries on the ground.
- What species does the catalog list for GMU 79?
- Mule Deer, Rocky Mountain Elk, 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 79 on your map.
Boundary lines, public/private ownership, topo, and offline maps for this unit — in Baseline Maps, free for 14 days.