Quick Tips
- Fly fish Conejos River for Rainbow trout
- Use quality optics
- Prepare for a strenuous hunt
| species | general Size | trophy potential |
|---|---|---|
| Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep | 150"-160" | 165"+ |
On The Ground
West of the community of Antonito and north of the Conejos River is a huntable herd of bighorns. Thousands of acres of National Forest and Wilderness provide access to this area.
This is a stable herd with a low population of rams. Be prepared for a physically challenging hunt and make sure to use good optics.
Terrain
Conejos peak rises over 13,000 feet in the northern part of the unit, while the Conejos River drainage runs through the South San Juan Wilderness and Rio Grande National forest toward the east. La Jara, Romero and Vincent Canyons make some of the area extremely rugged. The Pinnacles are a distinctive rock formation in Conejos Canyon that is visible from miles away. Steep mountains, broad mesas, large parks and various creeks create a challenging landscape.
Roughly 750 square miles
82.1% public land
Elevations from 7,614-13,300 feet
Vegetation
Alpine basins above 11,000 feet that are filled with wildflowers, barren ground willows, lichens and moss. North facing slopes have forests of spruce, Douglas fir, lodgepole pine, aspens and ponderosa pine. Grassy parks can also be seen in southern slopes and drainages. Cottonwoods and willows line creek bottoms while oak brush, mountain mahogany and some pinyon/juniper cover lower the elevations.
Access
Rio Grande National Forest and BLM land can be reached by a good county and forest service road system off Colorado Route 17 and County Road 250. From the different roads, there is a good trail system that can be used to access the more remote parts of the unit and the wilderness area. Sheep hunting can be physically demanding, with sheep typically staying in harder to reach areas.
Four-wheel drive recommended
ATVs are helpful but not necessary
Camping and Lodging
South San Juan Wilderness has specific camping regulations. Dispersed camping is available in the Rio Grande National Forest and BLM lands. Alamosa to the northeast, and Pagosa Springs to the west are the largest communities serving this area. Both provide a variety of motels, restaurants, medical care, gas and diesel. La Jara and Antonio have limited gas and cafes.
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