Quick Tips
- Legal gambling at Cripple Creek casinos
- Famous rock formations in Garden of the Gods
- Visit Manitou Springs
- Learn about potentially deadly altitude sickness
| species | general Size | trophy potential |
|---|---|---|
| Mule Deer | 140"-160" | 170"+ |
| Whitetail Deer | 120"-130" | 130"+ |
| Elk | 270"-300" | 300"+ |
| Antelope | 60"-70" | 70"+ |
On The Ground
Elk and mule deer thrive in this unit, which almost surrounds Fort Carson Military Reservation (Unit 591) and includes 14,114-foot Pikes Peak, consisting of more than 200 sq. miles of Pike National Forest, BLM land and state property. Terrain varies from high mountains above timberline to flat and mostly private antelope lowlands.
Depending on weather and timing, good bulls can be found at almost any elevation in the fall along with mature bucks. Antelope are very low in numbers and almost exclusively found on private land. Be physically prepared before hunting above 10,000'. There is limited road access and private land impedes access in places.
Terrain
At 14,114 feet above sea level, Pikes Peak is a majestic backdrop to Colorado Springs, population 432,000. Granite ridges thrust from Ute Pass up to the summit of Pikes Peak along Fountain Creek. Barren, rock-faced foothills near Cripple Creek are evidence of a rich history of gold mining. Phantom Canyon below Victor drops southwest toward Canon City and the Arkansas River. High desert hills give way to steep, rocky foothills west of Manitou Springs.
Roughly 700 square miles
40.4% public land
Elevations from 4,770-14,114 feet
Vegetation
Prairies along the eastern and southern edges are covered with sagebrush, short grasses, cottonwoods along creek bottoms and bands of oak brush leading to the foothills, where ponderosa pines, pinyons and junipers, oak rush and sagebrush grow. Open meadows, wild flowers, shrubs, lodgepole pines, aspens, Douglas firs and Engelmann spruces grow on mountains with bristlecone pines at timberline. Above 11,500 feet is alpine tundra, which consists of grasses, lichens and mosses that barely cover the ground.
Access
Hunters have good road access to most large pieces of public land, but there is plenty of rough country with no roads or ATV trails, where hunters who enjoy hiking can get away from crowds.
Pike National Forest Road 383, south of Divide, allows hunters to get close to Raspberry Mountain and surrounding drainages. Forest Service Road 370, known locally as Gold Camp Road, travels from Colorado Springs to Cripple Creek, crossing through the middle of the unit. It provides good access north into the national forest and south to BLM land.
Phantom Canyon Road, east of Canon City, heads north of U.S. Highway 50, crossing numerous county roads that travel east toward large sections of BLM land before it reaches Victor. The upper end of Phantom Canyon Road is steep, rocky and narrow, and has pull-outs. Colorado Route 115, south of Colorado Springs, intersects county roads leading to BLM land, 2,227-acre Beaver Creek State Wildlife Area and 9,389-acre Table Mountain State Trust Land.
Pikes Peak Highway is a toll road to the summit of Pikes Peak. It is owned and operated by the City of Colorado Springs (Phone: 719-385-7325) and has use restrictions. Hunters must register with highway rangers before hunting.
Hunters may stay on the mountain overnight
Vehicle must be parked for the night by 7 p.m.
Hunters must pay a $25 daily use fee
Camping is allowed on the mountain at specific locations
Campfire restricted to provided fire pits
Minimize displaying weapons to non-hunters
Camping and Lodging
Camping is allowed on BLM land, at designated sites on Table Mountain State Trust Land and on most of the Pike National Forest. Colorado Springs has hotels, including the world famous Broadmoor, motels, restaurants, an airport, the Air Force Academy, vehicle services, and Penrose and Memorial hospitals. Motels, hotels, gas stations, restaurants and medical facilities are also available in Florence, Canon City and Woodland Park. No camping is permitted at Beaver Creek State Wildlife Area.
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