Book Your Adventure 1-800-346-8747
Book Your Adventure 1-800-346-8747

Elk & Mule Deer Hunting in Colorado – Deadline Approaching

Erik Schell
|  

The 2020 application deadline for Colorado mule deer and elk is April 7th with draw results tentatively posting June 5th. The application system in Colorado is on a true preference point system, meaning whomever applies for that particular hunt with the most preference points will be allotted a tag. With historical draw information you can make extremely accurate assumptions on when you will draw a tag. 

ELK

Colorado has long been known for the sheer quantity of elk that call the state home. The latest population estimates project the herd at over 280,000.  Colorado is not only a quantity state, the quality of bulls can be exceptional within the right areas. Regardless of your personal priorities, I can assure you that Colorado has a hunt that will accomplish the goals/priorities you desire.

Mule Deer

This is a state that every mule deer hunter should be applying for. You ask why, the answer is simple… OPPORTUNITY abounds in the Centennial State. Colorado is arguably the best overall producer of trophy bucks, but also boasts some of the highest overall tag allotments for deer you will find in the West.

Hunt Options

The hunts below are a small sampling of WTA’s Colorado elk & mule deer trips that have available spots in 2020. Each hunt takes place with a veteran outfitter whom has a track record of providing WTA clients with safe and successful experiences. If these hunts do not meet your individual specifications please click below for a complete listing of Colorado elk and mule deer hunts available through WTA.

Application Strategy

Managing your Colorado elk and deer points in conjunction with personal expectations can be difficult when you have so many unit, weapon, and hunting seasons to choose from. This is why consulting with an expert is critical. If you’re considering applying into the Colorado elk and or mule deer draw give WTA TAGS a call (800-755-8247) or send us an email  before you do. We will help you formulate an application strategy tailored to you.

2020 Available Elk Hunts

Unit 40 Trophy Bull Elk

Dates – Archery- Sept. 21-25, Two Spots Remaining (14+ Points Required To Draw)

Rifle- Nov. 7-11, Two Spots Remaining (15+ Points Required To Draw)

Rifle- Nov. 18-22, Two Spots Remaining (15+ Points Required To Draw)

For those of you with the necessary points to draw, this is one hunt that is not to be overlooked! Colorado’s unit 40 is one of the most consistent producers of 300+ inch bulls in the state with multiple bulls over 380 inches being harvested each and every year. Expert 1×1 guide service, premium private land in one of Colorado’s best elk units, modern log cabin accommodations and superb meals – round-out to make this one of WTA TAGS top recommendations for big bulls in Colorado.

Private Land Bull Elk In Unit 20

Dates – Rifle- Dec. 11-6, Two Spots Remaining (7+ Points Required To Draw)

Rifle- Jan. 15-20, Two Spots Remaining (6+ Points Required To Draw)

These late season, private land only hunts, have consistently produced trophy bulls for over a decade. This culmination of private ranches makes up the premier winter range within the unit which makes for ideal late season bull hunting. The topography and road network on the ranches make this an ideal hunt for those that- “just don’t get around like they used to”.

Big Bulls In Southern Colorado

Dates –Archery- Sept. 25-29, 4 Spots Remaining (3+ Preference Points Required To Draw/ A Limited Supply Of Guaranteed Landowner Vouchers Are Available)

Rifle- Oct. 10-14, 4 Spots Remaining (5+ Preference Points Required To Draw)

Rifle- Oct. 17-21, 2 Spots Remaining (3+ Preference Points Required To Draw)

If southern Colorado is not on your “elk radar” it should be! This outfitter operates on 40,000+ acres of private property that consistently produces bulls ranging from 270-320+ with bulls over 350 being taken every year. This hunt is arguably the best offering for applicants that currently have 3-5 elk points in Colorado.

Western Colorado Private Land Elk Hunt

Dates – Archery- Sept. 15-20, 4 Spots Remaining (Tag is Over The Counter)

Rifle- Oct. 10-14, 5 Spots Remaining (Zero Preference Points Required To Draw)

This 20,000+ acre private ranch in western Colorado is operated by a long time outfitter of WTA. The ranch has a healthy population of elk throughout the fall, hunts will be action packed with overall high success rates on 5X5 & 6X6 bulls.

2020 Available Deer Hunts

Trophy Mule Deer In Western Colorado

Dates – Rifle- Sept. 5-9, Two Spots Available (10+ Preference Points Required To Draw)

Rifle- Nov. 18-22, Two Spots Available (10+ Preference Points Required To Draw)

Whether you are after the unique opportunity of hunting early September with a rifle in the picturesque high basins or seek a late season hunt on the wintering grounds, this outfitter has you covered. Regardless of the season chosen you can be assured that these hunts will take place on pre-scouted private and public land that is known to produce trophy muley bucks ranging from 170-190+ inches. Every hunter owes it to themselves to experience a Colorado mule deer hunt once in their lifetime.

Eastern Plains Mule Deer

Dates – Rifle- Dec. 1-5, One Spot Available (3+ Preference Points Required To Draw)

This quality mule deer hunt takes place on the high plains of Eastern Colorado. Our outfitter has secured nearly 70,000 acres of contiguous land holdings with some of this being his own personal ranch. Bucks will typically score 170-190 with bucks well over 200 being shot every year. Physically this is one of the easier mule deer hunts available in today’s market that targets true trophy bucks.  

Related Articles

Apply for Alaska’s Most Coveted Tags

Apply for Alaska’s Most Coveted Tags

Most sportsmen don’t think of the draw when contemplating a hunt in Alaska. That’s because, for most of the big…
Against the Odds: Drawing Back-to-Back Sheep and Goat Tags 

Against the Odds: Drawing Back-to-Back Sheep and Goat Tags 

Drawing a sheep tag with 1-in-5,300 odds is amazing. Drawing a mountain goat tag the next year? That’s lottery luck. That’s why it didn’t seem real when my WTA consultant, Jordan Roche, called me two years in a row with that news!

I’d been working with Jordan at WTA TAGS for about five years, letting him manage my hunting applications in multiple states while I focused on staying in shape for whatever hunts might come through. When he called about the Tok Range Dall sheep tag (the only non-resident permit out of 10 total), I knew it was special.

After the excitement of drawing my tag settled in, it was time to find the right outfitter to make my hunt a success. WTA recommended one of their top partners for that area and handled every detail. My outfitter made it clear: this would be a backpack hunt in some of Alaska’s toughest sheep country. At 64, with two hip replacements, I can’t run anymore. But I can hike. So that’s how I prepared—I hiked mile after mile with a weighted pack, knowing the Tok doesn’t care about age or medical history.

We went in a day and a half before the season opened and spotted a band of 14 rams, including one heavy-horned giant that immediately caught our attention. Then Alaska did what Alaska does best. Weather rolled in, the rams vanished, and we spent the three days scouring valleys and ridges to find them again.

When we finally relocated them, we had to break camp and make a major move. After a full day’s work, we spotted six rams bedding down as evening fell. The next morning, we made our play.

The wind that day was unlike anything I’d ever experienced. It sounded like a freight train roaring up the mountain; gusting, dying, gusting again. At 320 yards, I had to time my shot during the lulls. My first shot went wide in the wind. The second shot dropped him—a beautiful 39″ ram. Honestly, I didn’t care about the number. That’s not why I hunt. I’m in it for the experience and a good animal. This ram was both.

The pack-out was its own adventure. We crossed the glacier-fed Tok River multiple times before Matt showed up with a Korean War-era military vehicle that could go just about anywhere. After nine days in the mountains, that slow, bumpy ride was a step up from travelling another 10 miles on foot. This was a trip I’ll never forget.

When Jordan called me in February 2025 to tell me I’d drawn a mountain goat tag, I actually laughed. “Figure out something for next year,” I told him, knowing the odds of a three-peat were one in a million. But first, it was time to prepare for my goat hunt.

I flew into Homer at the end of August, expecting to start hunting on Tuesday. By Monday evening, my outfitter, Paul, was warning me about the incoming weather. “We might not get you in until Friday,” he said. He wasn’t kidding. We sat through three days of howling wind, driving rain, and zero visibility before finally getting our chance.

Paul operates from a landing craft that serves as a mobile base camp. But getting from sea level to where the goats live? That was the hardest climb I’ve ever done, and I’ve completed five sheep hunts.

It was only 1,500 vertical feet, but every step came wrapped in devil’s club thorns, soaking brush, deadfall, and rain-slicked cliff bands. We hiked for what seemed like an eternity before stopping for the night to set up camp.

The next morning changed everything. Once above that coastal jungle, the alpine opened up to reveal why we’d suffered through that brutal climb. There were mountain goats everywhere. Good billies. The kind that makes you forget about devil’s club and exhaustion.

I took my billy on August 30, the first day of actual hunting after being sidelined due to weather. While packing him out, we witnessed something I’d never seen: ravens harassing a billy goat. They would swoop within inches of his head, and he’d swing his horns, trying to knock them away. Paul had told me about this strange relationship between ravens and goats, but seeing it firsthand was incredible.

The trip down gave us one more show. A black bear, fat from gorging on berries, army-crawled through the blueberry patches, entertained us from 400 yards away. I had a bear tag, but watching him was worth more than any trophy. Crossing salmon-choked streams on the way out completed the full Alaskan experience.

Both hunts worked because of solid preparation and connections with the right team. Jordan, my WTA consultant, had been helping me strategically build points and select units for years. When the draw results came through, WTA’s network meant proven outfitters were ready and handled every detail. They provided thorough gear lists, arranged logistics, and coordinated air charters. Everything was dialed in.

Some guys chase record books. Others chase hunting milestones. I finished my slam in 2019 with a desert ram, but what excites me most these days is the experience—the hunts that test you, humble you, and stay with you long after the pack is unloaded. When you work with the right people and put in the preparation, amazing things can happen. Jordan’s already working on my applications for 2026, so we’ll see what adventure comes through next.

Contact WTA TAGS to learn more about drawing the tags of your dreams: 1-800-755-8247

Get Started with WTA TAGS
Wyoming’s Preference Point Deadline Is Approaching: October 31

Wyoming’s Preference Point Deadline Is Approaching: October 31

Preference Point Deadline: October 31, 2025

The deadline to purchase Wyoming preference points is October 31. If WTA is already managing your TAGS applications, you’re all set. If not, don’t miss the chance to secure points this year. It’s the perfect time to talk with a TAGS consultant to start a new portfolio or grow your existing one.

Wyoming’s system is unique. Unlike other states, you don’t automatically receive a preference point if you’re unsuccessful in the draw. Instead, you must log in after July 1 and purchase your points separately. Building points is critical if you want a shot at drawing a Wyoming tag. Over-the-counter opportunities are a thing of the past. Today, only 25% of non-resident tags are issued randomly. The other 75% go to applicants with the highest point totals.

If you want to hunt big game in Wyoming, building preference points isn’t optional…it’s essential.

Watch Wyoming Video

While preference points are an investment in the future, don’t let that keep you from starting now. While Wyoming has units that require 18+ points, there are also good opportunities to hunt sooner. There are elk, deer, and antelope hunts that can be drawn with 0–3 points. Think about it this way—the more points you have, the more options you have.

View Wyoming TAGS Hunts

Get Trip Specials & Cancellations,
Right Where You Want It.

No spam. Just the good stuff. Opt-out anytime.