Welcome to the “Elk Hunting Capital of the World.”

Boasting nearly two million acres of public land and some of the highest big game densities in North America, Moffat County, Colorado, is a legendary landscape for hunters. Nestled in the northwest corner of the state, this rugged territory serves as the home and migratory pathway for two of the continent’s largest elk herds, alongside thriving populations of mule deer and pronghorn antelope.

Whether you are planning a self-guided, public-land backcountry grind or booking an exclusive guided hunt on a private ranch, Moffat County offers a premier big game experience.

🦌 The Target Species

👑 Elk

With a resident herd exceeding 25,000 animals, elk are the undisputed kings of Moffat County. The region’s landscape provides perfect habitat. Hunters flock here to pursue massive bulls during the September rut, or wait for the late-season snows to push the traveling herds out of the high country and into the sagebrush draws.

🦌 Mule Deer

Moffat County is renowned for producing mature, heavy-antlered mule deer bucks. The draws, coulees, and pinon-juniper hills offer fantastic, classic spot-and-stalk hunting for deer hunters looking to test their glassing skills.

🏹 Pronghorn (Antelope)

For those who love wide-open spaces, the rolling sagebrush seas of the county support immense pronghorn populations. The flat terrain makes for fast-paced, highly visible, and challenging rifle or archery spot-and-stalk hunting.

🗺️ The Game Management Units (GMUs)

Moffat County spans an impressive list of Colorado Game Management Units, including GMUs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 13, 201, 211, and 301.

• The Trophy Units: Units like 2, 10, and 201 are world-famous, highly restricted, limited-draw areas. It can take hunters years—or even decades—to draw a tag here, but they offer unparalleled opportunities to harvest world-class trophy bulls and bucks.

• The Producer Units: Units like 3, 4, 11, and 12 surrounding Craig consistently rank as some of Colorado’s most productive units for overall harvest numbers, making them highly popular for annual hunting traditions.

🏹 Choose Your Style: Public DIY vs. Guided Ranches

🌲 Millions of Public Acres

For the Do-It-Yourself (DIY) sportsman, Moffat County is a paradise. Millions of acres managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest are fully open to public hunting. From the high timber near Elkhead Reservoir to the vast desert expanses of the western county, you can map out a hunt that is completely your own.

🏡 Private Outfitting & Ranching for Wildlife

If you prefer a full-service experience, local professional outfitters operate on expansive private ranches spanning tens of thousands of acres. Additionally, Moffat County participates in Colorado’s innovative Ranching for Wildlife program. This allows participating private ranches to open up public access to lucky Colorado residents who draw these specific tags, letting them hunt premium private land free of charge.

📋 Essential Logistics for the Hunt

• The Draw and Seasons: Colorado’s primary big game draw application window runs from March 1 through early April. While archery and muzzleloader options exist, the highly popular 2nd and 3rd Rifle Seasons (late October through mid-November) are highly favored because early winter weather begins moving the elk to lower elevations.

• The Hub: The city of Craig serves as your ultimate basecamp. It is fully equipped with local butcher shops, taxidermists, outdoor gear stores, hotels, and full-service RV parks like the Craig KOA or Tunatua RV Resort.

• Preparation is Key: Four-wheel drive and high-clearance vehicles are non-negotiable for backcountry roads. Because weather can change instantly from sunny 60°F days to freezing blizzards, packing heavy layers and emergency gear is vital