This large unit is located in west-central Colorado and is located south of the town of Rifle. Good numbers of deer and elk are found here but private land is in abundance and hunters will need to be mindful of this. Many of the low-elevation winter ground areas consist of these private lands but some excellent public opportunities can be found in some of the higher reaches. A wide array of terrain types can be encountered here and hunters of all backgrounds will find familar habiat.

Hunting is crowded near roads on public land, especially in late October and early November. Hunters will need to pay close attention to private property lines here and landownership maps are highly reccomended.

The east end of the White River National Forest is in the south part of this unit and is mountainous with barren ridges, peaks, basins and slides above timberline. Sprawling forests and canyons are between the high country and foothills south of the Colorado River northeast of Grand Junction, starting about 10 miles south of De Beque and continuing past Rifle and Silt to Chacra. The low and middle elevations between the river and the mountains are mostly farmland, sagebrush flats and ridges, and pinyon and juniper woodlands with plenty of rimrock. The low terrain is a mixture of private, BLM and state land. Peaks range from about 8,500 feet to more than 11,000 feet above sea level. Elk often stay in high terrain until snow gets deep or hunting pressure drives the animals to lower country. Deer inhabit all parts of the unit but tend to migrate to low ground in late October and early November.

Private property limits access to much of the unit. There is a series of roads and ATV trails that checker the higher elevations.There are many roads and ATV trails throughout the unit. During the summer and early fall many ATV enthusiast use the riding trails that are found on this unit. Hunters looking to get away from crowds can hunt the area around Haystack Mountain and Horse Mountain. The low elevation is checkered with BLM and private. There are multiple access roads from 1-70 with most hunters using roads from the towns of Parachute, Rulison, and Rifle to access the unit.

Dense Engelmann spruce forests with lodgepole pines and grass meadows and some tundra are at high elevations. Douglas firs and aspens grow on middle ground. Pinyon pines, junipers, sagebrush, oak brush, grasses and other browse grow at low elevations. There are many springs, small lakes and perennial streams

Modern lodging options can be found on the north side of the unit on I-70 in the towns of Parachute and Rifle. Additional options can be found outside of the unit in Grand Junction and Glenwood Springs. Some sporting goods can be found in Rifle but most specific needs will need to be met prior to leaving for the trip.