Colorado Deer — GMU 12

Colorado GMU 12 covers 315,247 acres and lies 21 miles south of Craig and 40 miles south-west of Steamboat Springs. 53% of it is public land, mostly national forest (43%) and BLM (6%). In 2024, 467 people hunted deer here and took 147 — 32% of them killed something. The 2026 draw put up 856 tags here for 188 first-choice applicants.

Tags (2026):3,720 Nonresident share:capped at 25% Applicants:1,603 Hunter success (2024):32% Public land:53% Size:315,247 acres

Your chance of drawing here

Every deer license type on offer in GMU 12, with the prior-draw chance for a first-choice nonresident applicant. Type your points in to see your own number.

Chances are from the 2026 draw (the most recent) for a first-choice nonresident. "Points needed" = the cut in the last draw.

Simple view Odds at every point level

DE011O1A deer either-sex archery season 1 GMU 11 [11, 13, 22, 131, 211, 231 and private land portions of 12, 23 and 24] 63 tags · 102 applicants · needed 0 pts · Standard

21% Long shot 0% as 2nd choice
DE011O1A deer either-sex archery season 1 GMU 11 [11, 13, 22, 131, 211, 231 and private land portions of 12, 23 and 24] 8 tags · 1 applicants · needed 0 pts · Youth

100% Undersubscribed 0% as 2nd choice
DE011P2R deer either-sex rifle private-land-only GMU 11 [11, 12, 13, 22, 23, 24, 211] 588 tags · 164 applicants · Standard

100% Undersubscribed 44% as 2nd choice
DE011P2R deer either-sex rifle private-land-only GMU 11 [11, 12, 13, 22, 23, 24, 211] 500 tags · 1 applicants · Youth

100% Undersubscribed 25% as 2nd choice
DE011P3R deer either-sex rifle private-land-only GMU 11 [11, 12, 13, 22, 23, 24, 211] 856 tags · 188 applicants · Standard

100% Undersubscribed 47% as 2nd choice
DE011P3R deer either-sex rifle private-land-only GMU 11 [11, 12, 13, 22, 23, 24, 211] 156 tags · 2 applicants · Youth

100% Undersubscribed 71% as 2nd choice
DE012O1A deer either-sex archery season 1 GMU 12 [12, 23 north of the White River and 24 north of the North Fork of the White River] 33 tags · 48 applicants · needed 2 pts · Standard

0% Point builder 0% as 2nd choice
DE012O1A deer either-sex archery season 1 GMU 12 [12, 23 north of the White River and 24 north of the North Fork of the White River] 9 tags · 1 applicants · Youth

100% Undersubscribed 50% as 2nd choice
DE012P4R deer either-sex rifle private-land-only GMU 12 [12, 13, 23, 24] 256 tags · 40 applicants · Standard

100% Undersubscribed 85% as 2nd choice
DE012P4R deer either-sex rifle private-land-only GMU 12 [12, 13, 23, 24] 56 tags · 1 applicants · Youth

100% Undersubscribed
DE211W1R deer either-sex rifle Ranching for Wildlife GMU 211 3 tags · 0 applicants · Standard

100% No first-choice applicants
DF011O1M deer female muzzleloader season 1 GMU 11 [11, 13, 22, 131, 211, 231 and private land portions of 12, 23, and 24] 0 tags · 0 applicants · Standard

— Not open to nonresidents
DF012O1M deer female muzzleloader season 1 GMU 12 [12, 23 north of the White River, and 24 north of the North Fork of the White River] 1 tags · 0 applicants · Standard

100% No first-choice applicants 0% as 2nd choice
DF012O1M deer female muzzleloader season 1 GMU 12 [12, 23 north of the White River, and 24 north of the North Fork of the White River] 25 tags · 1 applicants · needed 4 pts · Youth

0% Undersubscribed
DF012O2R deer female rifle season 2 GMU 12 9 tags · 7 applicants · needed 0 pts · Standard

80% Likely draw 0% as 2nd choice
DF012O2R deer female rifle season 2 GMU 12 100 tags · 2 applicants · needed 0 pts · Youth

100% Undersubscribed 0% as 2nd choice
DF012O3R deer female rifle season 3 GMU 12 7 tags · 1 applicants · Standard

100% Undersubscribed 17% as 2nd choice
DF012O3R deer female rifle season 3 GMU 12 6 tags · 0 applicants · Youth

100% No first-choice applicants 50% as 2nd choice
DF211W1R deer female rifle Ranching for Wildlife GMU 211 5 tags · 0 applicants · Standard

100% No first-choice applicants
DM011O1M deer male muzzleloader season 1 GMU 11 [11, 13, 22, 131, 211, 231 and private land portions of 12, 23, and 24] 38 tags · 87 applicants · needed 1 pts · Standard

0% Point builder 0% as 2nd choice
DM011O1M deer male muzzleloader season 1 GMU 11 [11, 13, 22, 131, 211, 231 and private land portions of 12, 23, and 24] 3 tags · 10 applicants · needed 1 pts · Youth

0% Point builder 0% as 2nd choice
DM012E1R deer male rifle early season GMU 12 [Those portions of GMUs 12, 24, 25, 26, and 231 within the Flat Tops Wilderness Area] 2 tags · 34 applicants · needed 9 pts · Standard

0% Point builder 0% as 2nd choice
DM012E1R deer male rifle early season GMU 12 [Those portions of GMUs 12, 24, 25, 26, and 231 within the Flat Tops Wilderness Area] 10 tags · 3 applicants · Youth

0% Point builder 0% as 2nd choice
DM012O1M deer male muzzleloader season 1 GMU 12 [12, 23 north of the White River, and 24 north of the North Fork of the White River] 11 tags · 18 applicants · needed 2 pts · Standard

0% Point builder 0% as 2nd choice
DM012O1M deer male muzzleloader season 1 GMU 12 [12, 23 north of the White River, and 24 north of the North Fork of the White River] 50 tags · 0 applicants · Youth

100% No first-choice applicants 0% as 2nd choice
DM012O2R deer male rifle season 2 GMU 12 480 tags · 435 applicants · Standard

100% Undersubscribed 8% as 2nd choice
DM012O2R deer male rifle season 2 GMU 12 24 tags · 21 applicants · needed 0 pts · Youth

100% Undersubscribed 0% as 2nd choice
DM012O3R deer male rifle season 3 GMU 12 390 tags · 349 applicants · Standard

100% Undersubscribed 13% as 2nd choice
DM012O3R deer male rifle season 3 GMU 12 14 tags · 27 applicants · Youth

100% Undersubscribed 12% as 2nd choice
DM012O4R deer male rifle season 4 GMU 12 [12, 13, 23, 24] 16 tags · 55 applicants · needed 2 pts · Standard

0% Point builder 0% as 2nd choice
DM012O4R deer male rifle season 4 GMU 12 [12, 13, 23, 24] 1 tags · 5 applicants · Youth

0% Point builder 0% as 2nd choice

Hunt	Your odds (0 pts)	As 2nd choice	Points needed	Tags / applicants	License	Season
DE011O1A ↗ deer either-sex archery season 1 GMU 11 [11, 13, 22, 131, 211, 231 and private land portions of 12, 23 and 24] Archery	21% Long shot	0%	0 steady since 2021	63 / 102	Standard	Sep 2–30, 2026
DE011O1A ↗ deer either-sex archery season 1 GMU 11 [11, 13, 22, 131, 211, 231 and private land portions of 12, 23 and 24] Archery	100% Undersubscribed	0%	0 steady since 2021	8 / 1 undersubscribed	Youth	Sep 2–30, 2026
DE011P2R ↗ deer either-sex rifle private-land-only GMU 11 [11, 12, 13, 22, 23, 24, 211] Rifle	100% Undersubscribed	44%	— steady since 2023	588 / 164 undersubscribed	Standard	Oct 24 – Nov 1, 2026
DE011P2R ↗ deer either-sex rifle private-land-only GMU 11 [11, 12, 13, 22, 23, 24, 211] Rifle	100% Undersubscribed	25%	— steady since 2021	500 / 1 undersubscribed	Youth	Oct 24 – Nov 1, 2026
DE011P3R ↗ deer either-sex rifle private-land-only GMU 11 [11, 12, 13, 22, 23, 24, 211] Rifle	100% Undersubscribed	47%	—	856 / 188 undersubscribed	Standard	Nov 7–15, 2026
DE011P3R ↗ deer either-sex rifle private-land-only GMU 11 [11, 12, 13, 22, 23, 24, 211] Rifle	100% Undersubscribed	71%	—	156 / 2 undersubscribed	Youth	Nov 7–15, 2026
DE012O1A ↗ deer either-sex archery season 1 GMU 12 [12, 23 north of the White River and 24 north of the North Fork of the White River] Archery	0% Point builder	0%	2 +1 since 2021	33 / 48	Standard	Sep 2–30, 2026
DE012O1A ↗ deer either-sex archery season 1 GMU 12 [12, 23 north of the White River and 24 north of the North Fork of the White River] Archery	100% Undersubscribed	50%	— steady since 2021	9 / 1 undersubscribed	Youth	Sep 2–30, 2026
DE012P4R ↗ deer either-sex rifle private-land-only GMU 12 [12, 13, 23, 24] Rifle	100% Undersubscribed	85%	—	256 / 40 undersubscribed	Standard	Nov 18–22, 2026
DE012P4R ↗ deer either-sex rifle private-land-only GMU 12 [12, 13, 23, 24] Rifle	100% Undersubscribed	—	—	56 / 1 undersubscribed	Youth	Nov 18–22, 2026
DE211W1R ↗ deer either-sex rifle Ranching for Wildlife GMU 211 Rifle	100% No first-choice applicants	—	—	3 / 0	Standard	Nov 28 – Dec 2, 2026
DF011O1M ↗ deer female muzzleloader season 1 GMU 11 [11, 13, 22, 131, 211, 231 and private land portions of 12, 23, and 24] Muzzleloader	Not open to nonresidents	—	—	0 / 0	Standard	Sep 12–20, 2026
DF012O1M ↗ deer female muzzleloader season 1 GMU 12 [12, 23 north of the White River, and 24 north of the North Fork of the White River] Muzzleloader	100% No first-choice applicants	0%	— steady since 2023	1 / 0	Standard	Sep 12–20, 2026
DF012O1M ↗ deer female muzzleloader season 1 GMU 12 [12, 23 north of the White River, and 24 north of the North Fork of the White River] Muzzleloader	0% Undersubscribed	—	4	25 / 1 undersubscribed	Youth	Sep 12–20, 2026
DF012O2R ↗ deer female rifle season 2 GMU 12 Rifle	80% Likely draw	0%	0	9 / 7	Standard	Oct 24 – Nov 1, 2026
DF012O2R ↗ deer female rifle season 2 GMU 12 Rifle	100% Undersubscribed	0%	0	100 / 2 undersubscribed	Youth	Oct 24 – Nov 1, 2026
DF012O3R ↗ deer female rifle season 3 GMU 12 Rifle	100% Undersubscribed	17%	—	7 / 1 undersubscribed	Standard	Nov 7–15, 2026
DF012O3R ↗ deer female rifle season 3 GMU 12 Rifle	100% No first-choice applicants	50%	—	6 / 0	Youth	Nov 7–15, 2026
DF211W1R ↗ deer female rifle Ranching for Wildlife GMU 211 Rifle	100% No first-choice applicants	—	—	5 / 0	Standard	Nov 7–11, 2026
DM011O1M ↗ deer male muzzleloader season 1 GMU 11 [11, 13, 22, 131, 211, 231 and private land portions of 12, 23, and 24] Muzzleloader	0% Point builder	0%	1 steady since 2021	38 / 87	Standard	Sep 12–20, 2026
DM011O1M ↗ deer male muzzleloader season 1 GMU 11 [11, 13, 22, 131, 211, 231 and private land portions of 12, 23, and 24] Muzzleloader	0% Point builder	0%	1 steady since 2021	3 / 10	Youth	Sep 12–20, 2026
DM012E1R ↗ deer male rifle early season GMU 12 [Those portions of GMUs 12, 24, 25, 26, and 231 within the Flat Tops Wilderness Area] Rifle	0% Point builder	0%	9 −4 since 2021	2 / 34	Standard	Sep 5–13, 2026
DM012E1R ↗ deer male rifle early season GMU 12 [Those portions of GMUs 12, 24, 25, 26, and 231 within the Flat Tops Wilderness Area] Rifle	0% Point builder	0%	—	10 / 3	Youth	Sep 5–13, 2026
DM012O1M ↗ deer male muzzleloader season 1 GMU 12 [12, 23 north of the White River, and 24 north of the North Fork of the White River] Muzzleloader	0% Point builder	0%	2 +1 since 2021	11 / 18	Standard	Sep 12–20, 2026
DM012O1M ↗ deer male muzzleloader season 1 GMU 12 [12, 23 north of the White River, and 24 north of the North Fork of the White River] Muzzleloader	100% No first-choice applicants	0%	—	50 / 0	Youth	Sep 12–20, 2026
DM012O2R ↗ deer male rifle season 2 GMU 12 Rifle	100% Undersubscribed	8%	— steady since 2021	480 / 435 undersubscribed	Standard	Oct 24 – Nov 1, 2026
DM012O2R ↗ deer male rifle season 2 GMU 12 Rifle	100% Undersubscribed	0%	0 steady since 2021	24 / 21 undersubscribed	Youth	Oct 24 – Nov 1, 2026
DM012O3R ↗ deer male rifle season 3 GMU 12 Rifle	100% Undersubscribed	13%	— steady since 2022	390 / 349 undersubscribed	Standard	Nov 7–15, 2026
DM012O3R ↗ deer male rifle season 3 GMU 12 Rifle	100% Undersubscribed	12%	— steady since 2021	14 / 27 undersubscribed	Youth	Nov 7–15, 2026
DM012O4R ↗ deer male rifle season 4 GMU 12 [12, 13, 23, 24] Rifle	0% Point builder	0%	2 +1 since 2021	16 / 55	Standard	Nov 18–22, 2026
DM012O4R ↗ deer male rifle season 4 GMU 12 [12, 13, 23, 24] Rifle	0% Point builder	0%	— steady since 2021	1 / 5	Youth	Nov 18–22, 2026

What these columns mean

Your odds: the share of applicants at your point level who drew this tag in the 2026 draw. Not a forecast: quotas and demand move every year.
The badge: plain language for that number. Likely draw 75% or better · Real chance 40%+ · Long shot 15%+ · Point builder below that, so you are applying mainly to bank a point · Undersubscribed means fewer first-choice applicants than tags, so everyone who applied drew.
As 2nd choice: Colorado lets you name more than one hunt on the application. Miss on your first choice and you go into the pot for whatever tags are left, alongside everyone else's second choices. Points never help a lower choice, so this number is the same whatever you have banked — it is usually worth naming a hunt that goes undersubscribed.
Points needed: the lowest point total that still got a tag in the 2026 draw, and how that cut has moved since the earliest draw we hold.
Tags / applicants: tags on offer and first-choice applicants for them, as the agency published them. Under five tags we print counts instead of a percentage, because one applicant either way swings it.

2 hunts not offered in 2026 are hidden — show discontinued hunts.

What it costs to apply (2026 nonresident fees)

License	Up front	Gone if you miss	If you draw
Standard license	$129.11	$129.11	$636.03
Youth license	$129.11	$129.11	$636.03

Application window: opens Mar 1, closes Apr 7, 2027 (expected). Full fee breakdown.

Other licenses valid in GMU 12

Not in the table above because they had no result in the 2026 draw.

DE012W1R — deer either-sex rifle Ranching for Wildlife GMU 12 Standard DF012W1R — deer female rifle Ranching for Wildlife GMU 12 Standard

The country

GMU 12 within Colorado

GMU 12 and its neighbours

Zoomable USGS topo, aerial imagery and shaded relief, with the neighboring areas drawn on.

Boundaries are drawn for orientation only — the written boundary description in the regulations governs.

Who owns the ground

Private 149,212 ac · 47%
National Forest 134,127 ac · 43%
BLM 20,198 ac · 6%
County or city land 10,417 ac · 3%
State land 1,292 ac · 0%

Source: BLM Colorado Surface Management Agency

Nearby areas

How the hunting has gone

What Colorado Parks and Wildlife publishes for this area after each season — harvest statistics for everyone who hunted it, not draw odds and not a forecast. Colorado's figures come from CPW's post-season hunter survey. CPW's 2025 report dropped the per-GMU table in favour of hunt-code rows, so the newest year shown here is 2024.