Quick Tips
- Know property boundaries
- A GPS and a good detailed ownership map are helpful
- Scout before the season
- Hunt away from main roads
| species | general Size | trophy potential |
|---|---|---|
| Mule Deer | 140"-160" | 170"+ |
| Elk | 260"-300" | 300"+ |
On The Ground
Southwest of Durango and bordering New Mexico, this unit is mostly low winter range for mule deer and elk. Much of it is inside the Southern Ute Indian Reservation or is private land owned by tribal members.
With a lot of low winter range and cultivated farmland, herds of elk and mule deer are healthy. There is not a lot of public access. Most elk and deer migrate here; there are a few resident animals.
Terrain
Most of this unit varies less than 1,000 feet in elevation and mainly consists of rolling ridges separated by creek drainages. Crop fields are in the central part of the unit. New Mexico is the southern boundary. Most of the southern third of the unit is in the Southern Ute Indian Reservation. Lake Nighthorse, a 5,500-acre reservoir completed in 2011 at a cost of about $500 million, is just 1.5 miles from Durango, but authorities still have not opened it to the public as water users fear that fishing and boating could harm water quality.
Roughly 484 square miles
9.9% public land
Elevations from 6,019-8,695 feet
Vegetation
At low elevations are mainly flat, rolling hills covered in sagebrush, grass, pinyon pines and juniper trees. In valley bottoms in the central part of the unit are fields of alfalfa, corn and grain. Ponderosa pine forests and oak brush mixed with sagebrush grow at middle to high elevations. There are a few aspens at high elevations.
Access
Public access is limited by private and tribal land. Public lands—what little there is—has well-maintained roads running through it with primitive four-wheel drive roads branching from them.
Most public lands are managed by the BLM
Four-wheel drive vehicles and ATVs are recommended
Camping and Lodging
A few good camping spots are on public ground off main roads. Durango has many motels, but they are far from hunting areas.
Expect to see other hunters near good camping areas
Even elevations are low, weather can change quickly
Historical Temperatures
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