Quick Tips
- Be patient and glass long distances
- Carry a GPS to ensure you stay inside Colorado
- Carry plenty of water, a shovel and a set of four tire chains
- Some cell phone reception
| species | general Size | trophy potential |
|---|---|---|
| Mule Deer | 140"-160" | 170"+ |
| Elk | 280"-320" | 320"+ |
| Antelope | 60"-65" | 65"+ |
On The Ground
A triangular unit that covers only about 270 sq.miles of mostly public land that borders Utah’s La Sal Mountains. Great access by many roads, remote areas require extensive backpacking or horseback riding to get away from well-traveled, easy access routes.
There is a moderate number of elk unless they migrate from the La Sal Mountains as well as low numbers of deer. There are also very few antelope in the unit with most bucks and bulls mostly nocturnal due to heavy ATV/UTV traffic.
Terrain
Elevations range from desert lowlands at about 5,000 feet to a wooded plateau and several mesas at 6,000 to a little more than 8,000 feet above sea level on the Utah border. Below are sandstone rimrocks, steep slopes and deep canyons. Some areas that were burned off in wildfires offer ample food supplies for elk and deer, permitting viewing by binoculars early in mornings and just before dark.
Roughly 270 square miles
81.8% public land
Elevations from 5,000-8,000 feet
Vegetation
The higher terrain is covered with juniper, oakbrush, pinyon pines and ponderosa pines with sagebrush and grass on some of the mesas. Vegetation at the low elevations is sparse, mostly low bushes and grass.
Access
Roads on BLM and Forest Service ground offer good success. The limited private acreage is clearly marked, and hunters can skirt the perimeter of private lands to reach public land with relative ease.
Four-wheel-drive and tire chains recommended
UTVs/ATVs necessary on some roads
Some roads are rocky
Camping and Lodging
Either stay in the field, camping along dirt roads, or travel back to Naturita or Gateway for motel, fuel and food. Reservations might be required during tourist seasons. Both towns are 30-40 miles from hunting sites in the unit.
Some road difficult to travel or impassable after rain, snow and wind
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