Quick Tips
- Cabela's home office in Sidney
- Waterfowl hunting along South Platte
- Walleye fishing Lake McConaughy
| species | general Size | trophy potential |
|---|---|---|
| Mule Deer | 150"-170" | 170"+ |
| Whitetail Deer | 130"-150" | 160"+ |
| Antelope | 60"-70" | 75"+ |
On The Ground
Private-land ownership dominates this unit, which is north of Sterling. Ranchers might allow hunting but hunters should inquire months before any hunting trip. A good number of trophy antelope and mule deer are taken each year.
Hiring an outfitter may be the best source of access to both antelope and mule deer bucks. Some whitetail bucks might be along creek bottoms or near irrigated fields a few miles northwest of South Platte River.
Terrain
Rolling grasslands and long hills with a number of creeks that give way to the flat broad Peetz Table in the north and northeast section of the unit.
Roughly 773 square miles
11.7% public land
Elevations from 3,900-4,600 feet
Vegetation
Prairie grass, wheat grass, buffalo and blue grama, sagebrush and yucca. Some cottonwoods and willows can be found along creek bottoms and irrigated crops of corn and alfalfa with dry land wheat create a wide variety of landscape.
Access
There is almost 10,000 acres of Pawnee National Grasslands near the western edge of the unit. The northern boundary is the Nebraska state line, Colorado Route 113 forms the eastern boundary, Route 14 is the southern edge and Route 71 is the boundary on the west. State Land Board holds some 133,000 acres that is leased to ranchers limiting or blocking use by hunters. North Sterling State Park restricts archery hunting to certain areas.
A lot of secondary roads, off-county road system
Wet weather can make secondary roads slick and muddy
Four-wheel-drive recommended
Camping and Lodging
Sterling just off of Interstate 76 has many restaurants, motels, gas, diesel, shopping and medical facilities.
Motels:
Super Eight
Ramada
Best Western
Comfort Inn
Restaurants:
Santiago's Mexican Restaurant
River City Grill
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