Unit 171, Colorado

The unit spans approximately 256 square miles (164,065 acres). Elevations range from roughly 7,800 feet at Northgate on the valley floor to 12,951 feet at Clark's Peak along the Medicine Bow ridgeline. The valley floor is relatively flat open parkland averaging 8,000 feet; surrounding terrain rises steeply into forested slopes and alpine ridges. The Continental Divide and Park Range define the western edge while the Medicine Bow Mountains bound the eastern flank, with Cameron Pass (10,276 ft) on CO Hwy 14 as a notable high crossing.

Primary access corridors are Colorado State Highway 14 (open year-round, crosses Cameron Pass at 10,276 ft connecting Walden northeast to Fort Collins) and Colorado State Highway 125 (connecting Walden south to Granby). The unit is managed by the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest, Parks Ranger District (100 Main Street, Walden, CO 80480; (970) 723-2700). Land ownership: 68% public (38% USFS, 14% BLM, remainder state and other), 32% private. BLM lands concentrate on lower valley terrain and are generally open to public access; county roads off Hwys 14 and 125 provide access to NF and BLM parcels. Approximately 32% of the unit is private land, predominantly large cattle and hay ranches in the valley floor — a significant checkerboard of private holdings limits road-based access in places. Colorado State Forest State Park lies adjacent to the eastern unit boundary. The Rawah Wilderness borders to the east in adjacent GMU 161/Larimer County. 4WD and chains are recommended as snow is common during all rifle seasons.

The valley floor is dominated by open sagebrush-grassland with extensive willow-lined wetlands, meadows, and irrigated hayland along the North Platte River headwaters and its tributaries (Michigan River, Illinois River). Beaver ponds and riparian corridors are common at mid-valley. Forested slopes transition from aspen and lodgepole pine at lower elevations (approximately 8,500–9,500 ft) to Engelmann spruce-subalpine fir at higher elevations. South-facing slopes support sage and mixed shrubs. Beetle-kill blowdown in lodgepole stands has altered elk distribution patterns in recent years. Agricultural private lands (hay fields, ranches) interspersed on the valley floor provide important winter forage.

Elk occupy the unit year-round; bulls move into dark timber during the day and open parks at dawn and dusk; the rut begins as early as the first week of September. Winter range concentrates in lower sage and valley terrain and BLM lands while summer range extends into higher NF elevations (9,000–10,000 ft). Mule deer are widespread through sage flats and forest edges. White-tailed deer inhabit river-bottom riparian corridors and agricultural edges. Pronghorn are present in good numbers across the open sage parkland; a significant portion of the pronghorn herd migrates north into Wyoming in winter to escape severe North Park snow conditions. Shiras moose occupy willow-lined drainages and beaver pond complexes; the combined North Park DAU (GMUs 6/16/17/161/171) supports an estimated 630 moose (unverified — sourced from GoHunt; not confirmed by CPW directly) — among Colorado's premier moose populations. Black bear inhabit forested slopes. Mountain lion are present though seldom seen. Wild turkey are found in limited numbers along riparian corridors and lower forest edges.

1. The 25% overall hunter success rate and 273 total harvest / 2,137 total hunters reflects 2022 all-species combined data for the unit (HuntScore) — not species-specific. 2. Per-species harvest, quota, and draw-odds numbers are not publicly available without CPW draw-recap reports; reported as null. 3. Non-resident OTC archery elk is NOT available in GMU 171 under 2025 rules (unit is west of I-25; non-residents restricted to east of I-25 and Unit 140 only) — verify annually with CPW Big Game Brochure. 4. Moose population (~630 animals) covers the entire North Park DAU (GMUs 6/16/17/161/171 combined), not GMU 171 alone; figure from GoHunt, not confirmed directly by CPW. 5. Pronghorn point requirements (up to 16 resident / 26 non-resident for rifle) are historical figures from outfitter sourcing — may vary by year and hunt code. 6. Second pronghorn doe rifle season claim removed — not confirmed by any verified source. 7. 2025 season dates used throughout; always verify current dates in the CPW Big Game Brochure before hunting.