Quick Tips
- Be mobile and willing to move camp
- Hunt away from roads and main trails
- Expect to see other hunters
- Weather and temperature influence elevations of animals
| species | general Size | trophy potential |
|---|---|---|
| Mule Deer | 150"-170" | 180"+ |
| Elk | 260"-300" | 300"+ |
On The Ground
Next to Dolores, this unit includes the southern half of Lizard Head Wilderness and much of the San Juan National Forest. It has good public access and healthy herds of mule deer and elk but is crowded during some hunting seasons.
There is designated wilderness at higher elevations and plenty of road access throughout much of the unit.
Terrain
Much of the hunting territory is 8,000-11,500 feet above sea level with some extremely steep and rugged mountains and several peaks between 13,000 and 14,252 feet in elevation, including Gladstone at 13,913, El Diante at 14,160, Lizard Head at 13,113, Wilson Peak at 14,016 and Mount Wilson at 14,252. Timberline is at about 11,500 feet. Below that most drainages are heavily forested, and a few large creeks run through the the area.
Roughly 520 square miles
84.2% public land
Elevations from 7,000-14,160 feet
Vegetation
Low elevations mainly consist of rolling hills covered in oak brush and ponderosas with sparse cottonwood trees along creeks. Middle elevations have steep slopes covered in aspen, fir and spruce trees. The tops of ridges have some flats and meadows with grass and wildflowers. High elevations have steep slopes above timberline, mainly rock scrabble with grass, wildflowers and scrub conifers.
Access
Much of the unit has public road access. A few well-maintained roads run through the unit with primitive four-wheel-drive and ATV trails branching from them. Some roads and trails could be impassable in wet or snowy weather. Marked trails for hiking and horseback riding lead into much of the high country. The northwestern corner of the unit is private land, including the area between Beaver Mountain to Groundhog Reservoir.
Good public access
Four-wheel drive or ATVs recommended
No vehicles allowed in Lizard Head Wilderness
Camping and Lodging
Most hunters camp along roads on public ground. To hunt remote areas, you must backpack or take horses or other pack animals. Rico and Dolores are the only towns near the hunting unit. Rico Hotel Mountain Lodge and The Mine Shaft Inn Hotel & Hostel are in Rico, and the Dolores Mountain Inn and the Rio Grande Southern Hotel Bed and Breakfast are in Dolores.
Arrive early for better camping locations
Expect to see other hunters camped nearby
Expect to see tourist camping in wilderness
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