Quick Tips
- Waterfowl and pheasant hunting
| species | general Size | trophy potential |
|---|---|---|
| Mule Deer | 140"-160" | 160"+ |
| Whitetail Deer | 140"-160" | 160"+ |
| Antelope | 65"-70" | 70"+ |
On The Ground
A narrow unit formed by a portion of the South Platte River that flows northeast of Sterling and parallel to Interstate 76. Herds of whitetails and mule deer sometimes can be seen in the irrigated fields between the interstate and the river.
According to Colorado Parks and Wildlife, the Record floods of 2013 may have displaced many whitetail bucks into units 91 and 92 from Unit 96 south of Sterling. Elk are nearly nonexistent in this unit. You can pay a trespass fee to gain access to private land.
Terrain
The South Platte River runs through the middle of the unit and is made up of a series of braided channels, sand bars and timbered islands. The majority of land north and south of the river is irrigated fields. There are a few rolling hills along the southern boundary but most of the land is flat.
Roughly 77 square miles
26.8% public land
Elevations from 3,600-3,900 feet
Vegetation
Russian olives, Cottonwoods, willows, cattails and marsh grass make up most of the cover. There are numerous crops of corn, hay and alfalfa on the private farmland close to the river.
Access
There are exits off Interstate 76 that lead to US Highway 138, County Road 55, 67 and 93, as well as Colorado Route 55. The unit is less than a mile and a half wide near Crook and just under three miles wide near Lliff.
State lands included in the unit are Ford Bridge State Trust, 280 acres, restricts hunting to shotguns, muzzleloaders and archery equipment. Bravo SWA off County Road 370 consists of 1,080 acres and allows access from designated parking areas. Tamarack Ranch SWA consisting of about 10,690 acres, a mandatory check-in required. It is located near Interstate 76 at exit 149 on Colorado Route 55.
Camping and Lodging
Sterling provides many restaurants, motels, gas stations and a medical facility and is located just off Interstate 76 at exit 125. Lliff and Cook, two communities along U.S. Highway 138 have gasoline and a couple of restaurants.
Camping is permissible on Tamarack Ranch State Wildlife Area in designated areas.
Historical Temperatures
High
Low
Moon Phases
March 2025
23
24
25
26
27
28
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
1
2
3
4
5