GMU 8 GMU 8 — Larimer Co.
High-public elk unit west of Fort Collins, reshaped by the Cameron Peak burn
North-central Colorado — Poudre Canyon & Cameron Peak country (Roosevelt NF) · Last reviewed 2026-07-12
Area
421
sq mi
Public land
76%
approx.
Elevation
7,156–11,003
feet
Motorized
moderate
access
Overview
GMU 8 spreads across the Roosevelt National Forest and Laramie foothills west of Fort Collins in Larimer County, taking in the Cache la Poudre canyon, Pingree Park, and the flanks of Cameron Peak. The 2020 Cameron Peak Fire — the largest in Colorado history — burned much of the unit, and the mosaic of black timber, regenerating brush, and surviving stands now drives where elk and deer live. Elk are the volume species and the reason most hunters come, with limited-draw mule deer and a marginal pronghorn segment on the private northeast fringe. Roughly three-quarters public makes this strong DIY country.
Terrain
Rugged foothill-to-subalpine terrain rising from the Poudre Canyon and foothill benches into steep timbered ridges, alpine parks, and the high country toward Comanche Peak. Extensive burn scars from the 2020 Cameron Peak Fire have opened up former dark timber into brush and standing snags.
Cover: Ponderosa and lodgepole pine, Douglas-fir and spruce-fir at elevation, aspen stands, mountain shrub and grassy parks — now heavily interrupted by burn regrowth of grasses, forbs, and shrubs in the fire footprint.
Landmarks: Cameron Peak · Comanche Peak Wilderness · Pingree Park · Cache la Poudre River / Poudre Canyon · Red Feather Lakes · Signal Mountain
Access
About three-quarters public, dominated by Roosevelt National Forest, with private ranchland on the eastern foothill fringe and near the valleys. The Comanche Peak Wilderness is foot- and horse-access only — no vehicles. Colorado State Trust Lands are generally closed to hunting unless enrolled in CPW's Public Access Program; do not count them as open. Post-fire road and area closures can appear on short notice — check current Roosevelt NF status before the hunt.
Managers: USFS Arapaho-Roosevelt National Forest, private ranch, Colorado State Wildlife Area
Access points: Pingree Park Road (CR 63E) · Poudre Canyon Highway (CO 14) · Deadman Road · Manhattan Road / Red Feather Lakes · Comanche Peak Wilderness trailheads
Species notes
Rocky Mountain Elk
common opportunityElk are the unit's headline species by harvest volume and offer more general/opportunity-style bull access in the archery and rifle windows. Success rates run low — this is pressured, big, burned country where elk shift constantly. The Cameron Peak burn has scattered animals into new patterns, rewarding hunters who scout current sign over old honey holes.
- →Hunt the edges of the burn where regrowth feed meets surviving cover
- →Push into the Comanche Peak Wilderness on foot to escape road pressure
- →Work aspen-conifer edges and grassy parks at dawn during archery
- →Reset to fresh sign — post-fire elk movement has changed year to year
- →Glass high parks and burned ridgelines from a distance before committing
Mule Deer
common qualityMule deer are fully limited-draw here — the second-highest harvest in the unit and a solid quality opportunity for those who draw. Deer favor the mountain-shrub foothills, burn-edge regrowth, and aspen-conifer benches.
- →Glass mountain-shrub and oak foothills at first and last light
- →Hunt burn-edge regrowth where deer feed on new browse
- →Focus mid-elevation benches and aspen pockets
- →Work away from the busy Poudre Canyon corridor for less-pressured bucks
Pronghorn
limited opportunityA marginal pronghorn segment lives on the open foothill grasslands and sage of the northeast fringe toward Wyoming, largely on private ground. Tags are limited-draw and opportunity is modest.
- →Glass open grass and sage flats on the eastern/northeastern edge
- →Expect most animals on private ranch ground — confirm access
- →Use terrain and draws to close distance in open country
Black Bear
common opportunityBlack bears use the aspen, oak brush, and riparian timber, with burn-edge berry and forb regrowth drawing them in fall. Bear tags overlap the deer and elk seasons for opportunistic hunters.
- →Glass burn regrowth, berry patches, and oak brush on south slopes in early fall
- →Check aspen stands and creek bottoms with mast and berries
- →Hunt bears while scouting or filling an elk/deer tag in the same drainages
Pro tips
- →Scout current sign — the Cameron Peak burn scrambled old elk patterns, and last decade's honey holes may be dead
- →Hunt the burn edges: regrowth feed next to surviving cover is the money zone
- →Get away from the Poudre Canyon and Pingree Park road corridors to escape pressure
- →The Comanche Peak Wilderness rewards foot/horse hunters willing to leave the trucks behind
- →Check Roosevelt NF for post-fire road and area closures before you commit to an access plan
Watch out for
- !Post-fire road and area closures in the Cameron Peak burn footprint — verify current status
- !Private ranch inholdings on the eastern foothill fringe — confirm boundaries
- !State Trust Lands are generally closed to hunting unless in CPW's Public Access Program
- !Standing burned snags are a real hazard, especially in wind — camp and travel carefully
- !Crowding along the Poudre Canyon and Pingree Park corridors on general-license units
- !Early high-country snow can close upper 4WD routes and wilderness trailheads
Logistics
Fort Collins is the full-service hub about 40 miles east with everything you need; Red Feather Lakes and Rustic offer closer fuel and small-town basics. Access runs up the Poudre Canyon on CO 14 and the Pingree Park and Deadman roads — good gravel that degrades to rough 4WD higher up. Verify Roosevelt NF post-fire closures and carry recovery gear for early snow.
Nearest towns: Fort Collins, Red Feather Lakes, Rustic, Livermore
Seasons & regulations
This page carries no season dates or regulations. Get current rules from the official Colorado sources:
Research sources: GoHunt — Colorado Unit 8 Profile · HuntScore — GMU 8 (Larimer County) · CPW / USFS — Cameron Peak Fire & Roosevelt NF
FAQ
- How big is GMU 8 in Colorado?
- GMU 8 (GMU 8 — Larimer Co.) covers about 421 square miles, ranging from roughly 7,156 to 11,003 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.
- How much public land is in GMU 8?
- Approximately 76% of the unit is public land. Primary managers: USFS Arapaho-Roosevelt National Forest, private ranch, Colorado State Wildlife Area. Always verify ownership boundaries on the ground.
- What species does the catalog list for GMU 8?
- 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 8 on your map.
Boundary lines, public/private ownership, topo, and offline maps for this unit — in Baseline Maps, free for 14 days.