Quick Tips
- Be prepared to shoot long ranges
- Avoid areas crowded with hunters
| species | general Size | trophy potential |
|---|---|---|
| Mule Deer | 140"-160" | 160"+ |
| Elk | 270"-300" | 310"+ |
| Antelope | 60"-70" | 75"+ |
| Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep | 160"-170" | 170"+ |
On The Ground
This long, narrow unit runs from Espanola all the way to Colorado. Mule deer, elk, bighorn sheep and antelope are hunted here. Private and tribal lands will limit access and restrict hunting in parts of the unit, but other parts of this large unit have plenty of public land.
Lower densities of game are found here and success rates tend to be somewhat low for most species.
Terrain
Some mountains and foothills are gently rolling. The steepest terrain is mostly on the sides of ridges that rise above rivers and eroded creek drainages. Large flats are found across the unit in many areas.
Roughly 923 square miles
67.9% public land
Elevation is 5,600 to 9,475 feet
Vegetation
Lowlands are covered with brush and grass with pinyons and junipers along arroyos and the edges of hills and mesas and about halfway up the mountains, where a ponderosa pine and oak brush mix takes over.
Access
Good gravel and dirt roads provide good access to many parts of the unit, which is composed mostly of public land that is managed by the state, the BLM and the Carson National Forest.
Carry maps that display land ownership
No vehicles are allowed in the Chama River Wilderness
Four-wheel drive recommended on forest roads
Camping and Lodging
Most hunters camp along Forest Service roads or on BLM land, several of which are reached by Highway 111 along Rio Vallecitos, a good river for brown trout fishing. Camping is available at Abiquiu Reservoir. Hopewell Lake Campground is on the north edge by Highway 64 and is usually open through October.
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