Quick Tips
- Pike and trout fishing at Stagecoach State Park
- Backpack and horseback hunters can hunt remote areas
- Glass at dawn and dusk
| species | general Size | trophy potential |
|---|---|---|
| Mule Deer | 140"-160" | 160"+ |
| Elk | 260"-300" | 300"+ |
On The Ground
Between Steamboat Springs and State Bridge on the west side of the Gore Range, this mainly-public unit is a good place for hunters who want to hunt without waiting years to draw a tag. Hunters with no preference points can draw deer tags for some seasons and can buy most elk tags over the counter.
Deer and elk have enough private land, wilderness and dense cover that some bucks and bulls survive enough hunting seasons to reach trophy size.
Terrain
North of the Colorado River and southeast of Steamboat Springs, the unit is mostly public with a great deal of private property in the west. Some big bucks come off of that private land, especially in later seasons by guided hunters or guests of landowners. Sarvis Creek Wilderness covers 44,556 acres in the middle of the unit but includes no alpine tundra. Bark beetles have killed many lodgepole pines, leaving forests filled with blowdowns and standing dead trees. Dense vegetation grows in infested areas. The north end of the unit is mostly forested with pines and aspens. The south end has pinyon, juniper and sagebrush ridges. Some peaks range from 8,500-11,000 feet above sea level. Deer live at all elevations, but many migrate to lower elevations in late October and early November.
Roughly 492 square miles
67.2% public land
Elevations from 6,100-11,000 feet
Vegetation
Engelmann spruces mingle with lodgepole pines in the high country. Douglas firs, aspens, grass meadows and sagebrush grow at middle elevations, while pinyon/juniper woodlands, sagebrush, oak brush, grasses and other browse grow in the lower terrain. There are many springs, small lakes and perennial streams.
Access
Road access is good in most of the unit. Private land takes up much of the western half, which is reached from roads that branch from Highway 131 and pass through private land. Some roads branch from Highway 40 in the north and Trough Road in the south. Access roads lead to the edge of Sarvis Creek Wilderness. Trucks need tire chains if the roads get snowy. To avoid crowded hunting, get away from roads.
Well-maintained roads in the north and south ends
A GPS unit with land ownership overlay can help you to avoid trespassing
ATVs are recommended but not necessary
Snow and rain can impede travel
A lot of remote areas to hunt
Camping and Lodging
Yampa City, Steamboat Springs and Oak Creek have lodging, gas, groceries and other supplies. Camping permitted at Stagecoach State Park and on all federal land.
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