Quick Tips
- Abiquiu Lake has good walleye and smallmouth bass fishing
- Try trout fishing in Rio Vallecitos
- Landowner vouchers go down in price close to season openers
| species | general Size | trophy potential |
|---|---|---|
| Mule Deer | 140"-160" | 170"+ |
| Elk | 260"-300" | 310"+ |
On The Ground
From Tres Piedras and Taos Junction west to the Rio Chama Wilderness, the majority of this unit sits in the Carson National Forest and produces great bull elk, with some good mule deer numbers harvested every year. This unit is largely public land and hunters will find plenty of access options throughout the unit.
This unit is known for having good numbers of elk on public land along with a strong trophy potential on bulls. Deer densities are somewhat lower but good bucks are taken every year.
Terrain
Most of this unit is composed of gently rolling mountains and mesas. The steepest terrain is mostly on the sides of ridges that rise above rivers and eroded creek drainages. The western boundary runs down the Chama River and encompasses the eastern part of the Chama River Wilderness. Sandstone cliffs loom above the river in places.
Roughly 796 square miles
86.2% public land
Elevations range from about 6,000-9,000 feet
Vegetation
The main plants in this area are pinyon pines, junipers, wild grasses and various shrubs, including Gambel oak. From about 7,500-9,000 feet ponderosa pines can be found near creek bottoms, which are choked with willows and brush. Above 9,000 feet spruce and fir trees cover slopes, while the meadows have deep grass and sedges.
Access
Good gravel and dirt roads provide access to most areas. Some hunters think access is too good because they see so many other hunters on ATVs or in four-wheel-drive trucks. This unit is a mixture of private, BLM, state and Forest Service land and includes the eastern sector of the Chama River Wilderness.
Carry maps displaying land ownership
No vehicles are allowed in the Chama River Wilderness
Four-wheel-drive recommended on forest roads
ATVs are recommended on unmaintained roads
Camping and Lodging
Most hunters camp along Forest Service roads, while some prefer to stay in developed campgrounds, several of which are reached by Highway 111 along Rio Vallecitos Camping is available at Abiquiu Reservoir. Hopewell Lake Campground is on the north edge by Highway 64 and is usually open through October. Canjilon Creek Campground is by its namesake on Forest Road 130 but closes in mid-September.
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