Quick Tips
- Carry a GPS and a good land ownership map
- A lot of tourists hike and climb in wilderness
- Weather and temperature influence elevations of animals
- Be prepared for hiking in rugged wilderness
| species | general Size | trophy potential |
|---|---|---|
| Mule Deer | 150"-170" | 170"+ |
| Whitetail Deer | 120"-130" | 130"+ |
| Elk | 240"-280" | 290"+ |
| Antelope | 65"-70" | 70"+ |
On The Ground
The western border of the unit is the backbone of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains north of Great Sand Dunes National Preserve. Most of the foothills and the Wet Mountain Valley below are privately owned. Hunters have good chances to see mature bulls and bucks.
Hunters who are up to the challenge of hunting rugged, steep terrain have good chances of finding mule deer bucks and bull elk, though whitetail numbers are low and rarely harvested. There is an early September rifle deer season above timberline and much of the high country is in Sangre de Cristo Wilderness.
Terrain
Most big game hunting takes place between 8,000 and 12,000 feet above sea level in the mountains of the San Isabel National Forest and the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness. Below the 8,000-foot level is mostly private land that drops to 6,500 feet in the Wet Mountain Valley. Above 12,000 feet are rugged, steep and rocky peaks, many of them exceeding 13,000 feet and Crestone Needle exceeding 14,000 feet.
Roughly 494 square miles
56.3% public land
Elevations from 6,500-14,197 feet
Vegetation
Low elevations have flats and rolling hills covered with sagebrush, grass, pinyon pines and juniper trees along with crop fields on the valley floor with scattered cottonwood trees along creeks. Some areas have ponderosa pines and oak brush. Middle elevations mainly consist of spruce and fir trees mixed with large, scattered aspen groves along with flats covered with grass and wildflowers on ridges. High elevations have steep slopes leading to the barren, rocky peaks above timberline are covered in grass, wildflowers and loose scrabble.
Access
Most of the peaks are in Sangre de Cristo Wilderness, where no vehicles are allowed. Road access to the mountainous country below is limited to the four-wheel-drive roads, Hermit Pass, Cloverdale Basin and South Colony Creek. The middle elevation has a few roads through it, but access is limited because of private land. Most low land is private.
486-acre Middle Taylor State Wildlife Area is open to hunting
Some BLM land at lower elevations in the north
640-acre McCoy Gulch and 640-acre Short Creek Baldy state trust lands are open to hunting
Camping and Lodging
To camp in the wilderness and much of the high country, you must backpack or pack with horses. Good camping sites on public land along roads are near hunting areas, so expect to see other hunters.
Hotels are in Westcliff in the east and Salida just north of the unit
Be familiar with rules for camping in wilderness
No vehicles in wilderness
Test backpacking gear in advance
Historical Temperatures
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