At a Glance
Quick Tips
- Trout fishing in streams and lakes
- Lots of hunters every season
- Winter weather can arrive in early October




Hunters discussing Unit 25 in Colorado highlight its challenging terrain, which requires good physical conditioning and preparation. They note that elk populations are present, but hunters should be prepared for varied success rates depending on the season and weather conditions. Many recommend scouting the area thoroughly before the hunt to understand game patterns and access points. Overall, preparation and persistence are key to success in this unit, with an emphasis on adapting to changing conditions and leveraging local knowledge.
Part of this unit is in the White River National Forest, home to the nation’s largest elk herd, and includes a small portion of the 235,214-acre Flat Tops Wilderness. The Colorado River with its steep sandstone canyons forms the eastern boundary of this unit, which is more than 80% public land. Along with good elk numbers hunters will also find a decent density of mule deer and moose.
This popular unit has many bulls, but few of them get old enough to grow record book antlers because hunting pressure is intense. The state sells elk tags over-the-counter for second and third rifle seasons. Good deer hunting opportunities can be found here but hunters will need to work for opportunities at mature bucks.