GMU 93 GMU 93 — Logan/Segwick/Phillips Co.
Big private-ground deer unit stitched between the South Platte and the sandhills
Northeast Colorado plains — South Platte sandhills, Logan/Sedgwick/Phillips Co. · Last reviewed 2026-07-12
Area
947
sq mi
Public land
4%
approx.
Elevation
3,600–4,300
feet
Motorized
moderate
access
Overview
GMU 93 is a large (~945 sq mi) northeastern-plains unit spanning Logan, Sedgwick, and Phillips counties south of the South Platte River. It's a mosaic of dryland and irrigated cropland, CRP, sandsage and sandhill prairie, laced with cottonwood river bottom. Deer carry the unit by a wide margin, with a small pronghorn draw and only incidental plains elk. Like the rest of the northeast corner, hunting here is defined by private-land access.
Terrain
Rolling High Plains sandhills rising south away from the South Platte valley. Low relief overall, but sandsage dunes and CRP swells create just enough structure to hide deer.
Cover: Sandsage and sandhill prairie, extensive CRP grass, dryland wheat and irrigated corn/alfalfa cropland, with cottonwood and willow along the South Platte and its tributaries.
Landmarks: South Platte River · Interstate 76 · Sterling · Julesburg · Holyoke · sandhill prairie south of the river
Access
Predominantly private ranch and farm ground; success hinges on landowner relationships built well before the season. Public foot access is concentrated in South Platte State Wildlife Areas (e.g., Tamarack Ranch, Red Lion, Jumbo Reservoir, Pony Express areas near Crook/Julesburg) plus scattered small BLM. State Trust Land is closed to hunting unless in CPW's Public Access Program — do not treat it as open.
Managers: Private ranch and cropland, CPW State Wildlife Areas (South Platte corridor), State Trust Land (walk-in / PAP only), Limited BLM tracts
Access points: I-76 exits between Sterling and Julesburg · South Platte SWA parking areas · County-road grid through the sandhills
Species notes
Mule Deer
common qualityThe backbone of the unit — mule deer scatter across sandsage, CRP, and crop edges through the sandhills. Fully limited-draw with modest tag numbers; patient, access-rich hunters can turn up a good plains buck, especially into the rut.
- →Glass CRP and sandsage swells at first/last light before deer bed
- →Hunt the transition zones where sandhill cover meets irrigated crop feed
- →Cover ground with a truck and good glass — the unit is big and deer are spread thin
- →Focus the late-Oct through December rut for mature bucks on the move
Whitetail Deer
limited opportunityWhitetails hold in the South Platte cottonwood bottoms and tributary corridors on the unit's north edge — a genuine river-corridor option distinct from the sandhill muleys.
- →Hunt the South Platte cottonwood/willow bottoms and connected shelterbelts
- →Set ambushes on travel lanes between river bedding and crop feed
- →Still-hunt tree lines and draws that link water to agriculture
Pronghorn
limited opportunityA small but real pronghorn opportunity — success on the limited tags runs about even. Antelope favor the open shortgrass and sandsage flats away from heavy cropland.
- →Glass open sandsage/shortgrass flats and spot-and-stalk
- →Secure landowner access early — permission for antelope often comes easier than deer
- →Use the rolling sandhills for cover on approaches
Rocky Mountain Elk
transient lowA handful of plains elk drift the river bottoms and croplands, producing only a trickle of harvest. Elk are limited-draw here (no OTC on the eastern plains) and should be considered opportunistic at best.
- →Check South Platte bottoms and adjacent crop fields where small groups linger
- →Rely on landowner intel — resident elk pattern to specific private feed
- →Treat any elk tag as a low-odds bonus, not a target unit
Pro tips
- →Build landowner access months out — it's the single biggest lever on success
- →Learn the South Platte SWAs (Tamarack, Red Lion, Jumbo Reservoir) as public fallbacks
- →Split the unit by habitat: muleys in the sandhills, whitetails on the river
- →Use the big open country and a spotting scope to cover ground efficiently
- →Hunt the wind hard on stalks across the low-relief sandsage
Watch out for
- !Vast majority private — get written permission and know boundaries
- !State Trust Land is closed to hunting unless enrolled in CPW's Public Access Program
- !Popular South Platte SWAs draw crowds on opening weekends
- !Sandy two-tracks and muddy county roads after rain or snow
- !Fire risk in dry CRP/sandsage during warm early seasons
Logistics
Sterling is the main hub for lodging, fuel, groceries, and outfitters, with Julesburg and Holyoke as smaller bases. The county-road grid makes the unit easy to cover by truck, but the size means you should scout and secure access ahead of time. Cell coverage is reliable near towns and the I-76 corridor, spottier deep in the sandhills.
Nearest towns: Sterling, Julesburg, Crook, Holyoke, Sedgwick
Seasons & regulations
This page carries no season dates or regulations. Get current rules from the official Colorado sources:
Research sources: CPW Deer Hunting — plains unit access and habitat notes · HuntScore — GMU 93 (Logan, Sedgwick & Phillips Counties)
FAQ
- How big is GMU 93 in Colorado?
- GMU 93 (GMU 93 — Logan/Segwick/Phillips Co.) covers about 947 square miles, ranging from roughly 3,600 to 4,300 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.
- How much public land is in GMU 93?
- Approximately 4% of the unit is public land. Primary managers: Private ranch and cropland, CPW State Wildlife Areas (South Platte corridor), State Trust Land (walk-in / PAP only), Limited BLM tracts. Always verify ownership boundaries on the ground.
- What species does the catalog list for GMU 93?
- Mule Deer, Whitetail 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 93 on your map.
Boundary lines, public/private ownership, topo, and offline maps for this unit — in Baseline Maps, free for 14 days.