Quick Tips
- Be mobile and willing to move camp
- Hunt away from roads and main trails
- Carry a GPS unit and a good land ownership map
- Weather and temperature influence where animals are found
| species | general Size | trophy potential |
|---|---|---|
| Mule Deer | 140"-160" | 170"+ |
| Whitetail Deer | 120"-130" | 130"+ |
| Elk | 260"-300" | 310"+ |
| Antelope | 65"-70" | 70"+ |
On The Ground
The Wet Mountains in the San Isabel National Forest southwest of Canon City offer good hunting without the physical demands of a rugged wilderness hunt. With great habitat, some private land and healthy herds, hunters have a chance to see some mature buck muleys and bull elk.
Hunters who work hard throughout the season often have chances to take mature mule deer.
Terrain
The Wet Mountain Range runs north and south through the center of the unit, with the highest peak being Hardscrabble Mountain at 10,402 feet above sea level. Off of that mountain range there are rolling hills and canyons to the east and west. Most deer and elk hunting is between 7,000 and 9,000 feet, and antelope are in the valley floors.
Roughly 292 square miles
38.5% public land
Elevations from 5,100-10,402 feet
Vegetation
Low elevations have flats and rolling hills covered with sagebrush, grass, pinyon pines and juniper trees, agricultural fields on the valley floor with scattered cottonwood trees along creeks. Middle elevations consist of pinyon pines and junipers with some areas have ponderosa pines and oak brush. High elevations mainly consist of spruce and fir trees mixed with large, scattered aspen groves along with flats covered with grass and wildflowers on ridges.
Access
A section of the San Isabel National forest runs through the central part of the unit and gives hunters good public access, with maintained roads and primitive 4-wheel drive roads winding throughout the national forest. The lower elevations is mostly private, but does have some BLM land near Bear Peak. West Bear Gulch STL, Bear Gulch STL, Florence STL, Newlin Creek STL and Grape Creek are a few sections of State Trust lands that allow hunting.
Be aware of property boundaries
Some roads are private access only
Four-wheel-drive vehicles are recommended
Camping and Lodging
Good camping sites on public land along roads are near hunting areas, so expect to see other hunters. Hotels are in Westcliff in the west, and in Canon City, Lincoln Park and Florence in the north. Prime campsites are taken early.
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