At a Glance
Quick Tips
- Visit Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge
- Try fly fishing at private Trout Valley Fishing Club
- View moose at State Forest State Park




Hunters have shared that Unit 17 in Colorado offers a challenging but rewarding experience, with its rugged terrain and varied landscape requiring thorough preparation and scouting. There is a strong emphasis on understanding the movement and behavior of elk within this unit, particularly during the transition between early and late seasons. Successful hunters often mention the importance of adapting strategies based on weather conditions and having a solid knowledge of draw odds to increase chances of a successful hunt. Overall, patience and persistence are key, with many hunters advising to spend ample time learning the unit and being ready to adjust plans as needed.
From the Continental Divide in the Rabbit Ears Range to Walden, this unit supports good numbers of elk, deer and antelope on private and public land. Hunters should be in good shape to hunt the high country, much of it 10,000-11,000 feet above sea level.
There are plenty of bull elk. There is a late September deer rifle season.