Uncompahgre National Forest, Uncompahgre and Mount Sneffels Wilderness, southwest of Montrose support a large number of elk and mule deer. Private land accounts for nearly 50% of the unit making late hunts somewhat more difficult as hunters need to navigate large portions of private. Public land hunters generally find better odds at large bucks earlier in the year.

This unit has excellent archery and muzzleloader hunting. The second and third rifle elk tags are unlimited, purchased over-the-counter, making for crowded conditions on public land. Private land has resident herds of deer and elk.

The Uncompahgre river runs along U.S. Highway 550 from south of Ouray to Montrose. The mountains east of the river rise rapidly from the valley floor making it difficult to head into the national forest. Uncompahgre and Mount Sneffels wilderness areas offer physically challenging terrain with mountain peaks reaching above 14,000 feet. Cerro Summit, along U.S. Highway 50, reaches 8,042 feet offering views of ridges leading to steep mountains to the south. The foothills near Montrose are etched by water and wind erosion creating deep rough gulley’s draining benches and mesas.

Agricultural areas and cultivated croplands near Montrose to Colona are surrounded with greasewood, saltbush, sagebrush, with cottonwoods and willows along the Uncompahgre River. Heading into the foothills juniper/pinyon, sagebrush, mountain mahogany and shrubs cover the landscape. At 7,500 and above there are ponderosa pine, Gambel oak, service berry, manzanita, oak brush and aspen. Heading above 8,500 feet aspen, Douglas fir, and Engelmann spruce lead to alpine basins just below timberline.

BLM, Uncompahgre National Forest, Mt. Sneffels Wilderness, 16,500 acres, near the communities of Telluride and Ouray along with the Uncompahgre Wilderness, 99,000 acres, on the Uncompahgre National Forest offers thousands of acres of back country hunting. Trails lead into the wilderness from trailheads located in the West, Middle, and East Forks of the Big Cimarron River. Forest Service Road 858 travels from Ridgeway to Silver Jack Reservoir.

The communities of Montrose, Ridgway and Ouray offer hunters motels, hotels, restaurants, gas, diesel, medical care and shopping. Ted Nelson’s Steak House, Montrose, is known locally for great steaks and hospitality. Ridgway State Park offers year-round modern camping, yurts are available year-round. Billy Creek State Wildlife areas offer camping from May-December.

National Forest Campgrounds

Cimarron Area

Ouray Area