Quick Tips
- ATVs are recommended
- GOHUNT Maps are recommended to help navigate this area
- Rattlesnakes can be encountered
| species | general Size | trophy potential |
|---|---|---|
| Elk | 280"-320" | 320"+ |
On The Ground
This unit is found in the south-central portion of the state and features a good offering of public lands and a small, but healthy, herd of elk. Most of this area is high plains desert with scattered vegetation and a varied terrain. Hunting in this unit will be glassing intensive and hunters will need to be prepared to cover some ground in search of elk.
This large area has moderate terrain, lots of country to hunt and elk located in the higher sagebrush ridges and deeper draws. Wild horses that are found here compete with elk for forage.
Terrain
This unit runs from the U.S. Highway 287, west across high desert plains and the Chain Lakes WHMA to County Road 23. The terrain here is gently contoured throughout most of the unit, with the lands in the Chain Lakes WHMA changing to more steep and rugged. This area is largely open and barren at first glance but hunters will be surprised at the amount of terrain available here.
Roughly 1094 square miles
66% public land
Elevations from 6,500–7,100 feet
Vegetation
This part of the Red Desert is made up of flat to gently rolling hills. Sagebrush grassland covers the area and greasewood grows along the basins. The unit is treeless and the lakes are natural drainage depressions without outlets. Some artisan flows drain into the surrounding wetlands.
Access
Public access is good and several well-maintained roads and a network of BLM roads and smaller 2-tracks can be found here. Four-wheel-drive vehicles and ATVs are recommended when traveling off the maintained roads. The area is bordered by County Road 23 on the west, County Road 22 on the north, U.S. Highway 287 on the east and Interstate 80 on the south.
Camping and Lodging
Rawlins is the closest town to the unit and offers many options for lodging, groceries, gas and other amenities. Camping is allowed on all public land for up to 16 days in one location.
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