Quick Tips
- Be willing to move camp
- Hunt away from roads and main trails
- Expect to see other hunters
- Weather and temperature influence elevations of animals
- Let optics cover the country
| species | general Size | trophy potential |
|---|---|---|
| Mule Deer | 140"-160" | 170"+ |
| Elk | 260"-300" | 300"+ |
| Antelope | 70"-80" | 80"+ |
On The Ground
Mostly part of the Rio Grande National Forest and south of U.S. Highway 160 between South Fork and Alamosa, this unit has good public access and healthy herds of mule deer and elk. Antelope live in lowlands and foothills in the eastern half of the unit, which is mostly private land.
There is good road access, but the eastern third of the unit is mostly private and many antelope inhabit lowlands in the east.
Terrain
Low-elevation terrain is in the eastern third of the unit and is composed of rolling hills with large flats in the San Luis Valley. The rest of the unit is mostly mountainous land, much of it varying from 8,000-11,000 feet above sea level. A few peaks exceed 12,000 feet.
Roughly 887 square miles
59.4% public land
Elevations from 7,500-12,000 feet
Vegetation
Low elevations mainly consist of flats with rolling hills covered in sagebrush, grass, pinyon pines and juniper trees. Most low country is composed of irrigated circular fields. A few scattered cottonwood trees grow along creeks. Middle elevations are heavily forested with spruce and fir trees mixed with large scattered aspen groves. There are flats with grass and wildflowers on the ridge tops. High elevations have grass, wildflowers and loose rocks. The bottoms of alpine basins are covered in wildflowers and mountain willows.
Access
A few well-maintained roads run through the unit, with four-wheel-drive and ATV roads branching from them. Some roads and trails are impassable in wet or snowy weather. A few marked trails allow hiking and horseback riding into high country.
Good public access
Four-wheel-drive vehicles or ATVs are recommended
Eastern third is mostly private
Camping and Lodging
Most hunters camp along roads on public ground. In remote areas hunters backpack or haul camps by horse. Motels are in Alamosa and Monte Vista.
Arrive early for good campsites
Expect to see other hunters camped nearby.
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