Except for some private tracts along creeks and river bottoms, this unit is almost entirely composed of federal land in the San Juan, Gunnison and Rio Grande National Forests, including parts of Weminuche and La Garita wilderness areas. Hunters find great public access to healthy herds of elk and mule deer.

Good numbers of elk and limited tag numbers result in good hunting for mature bulls. Deer hunters who scout before the season and hunt hard have a good chance of taking bigger bucks.

Steep canyons, high-elevation wilderness areas and remote alpine basins provide places for bull elk and buck deer to reach maturity. Lakes, ponds, springs and streams are numerous. Hunters who wish to hunt near roads have a great deal of terrain to hunt, while backpackers and horseback riders can hunt wilderness and other roadless areas with much mountainous terrain from 10,000 to many peaks over 12,000 feet and several exceeding 13,000 feet. There are no low-elevation hunting areas.

From about 9,000-11,500 feet grow aspens, firs, spruces with some large, grassy meadows. Willows and other shrubs line creeks. Spruce and fir trees have been killed by bark beetles, leaving large stands of dead trees. Timberline is at about 11,500 feet with rock scrabble peaks and scrub conifers and many alpine basins.

A few well-maintained roads lead into federal forest land, and primitive four-wheel-drive roads branch from them. ATVs are quicker and easier to drive than traditional four-wheel-drive vehicles. Marked trails for hiking and horseback riding snake through wilderness and other back country.

Hunters can camp at drive-in designated campgrounds, where no fee is required. You also may camp outside campgrounds on almost any public parcel. To camp in wilderness areas and other remote places, hunters must use horses or backpack in. Hotel accommodations, cabins and lodges are available in or near Creede.