Quick Tips
- Most game animals are within one mile of water
- Good terrain for glassing
- Maps showing land ownership are recommended
- Take time to visit Capulin Volcano National Monument
| species | general Size | trophy potential |
|---|---|---|
| Mule Deer | 130"-150" | 150"+ |
| Whitetail Deer | 130"-150" | 160"+ |
| Elk | 260"-300" | 300"+ |
| Antelope | 65"-75" | 75"+ |
| Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep | 150"-160" | 170"+ |
On The Ground
This unit is found in the northeastern corner of the state along the borders of Oklahoma and Colorado. Private land is the primary makeup of this area but some decent chunks of public land are available. The terrain consists of rugged canyon country in the north and largely flat and rolling grasslands in the south. Elk, mule deer, whitetail deer, Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, and pronghorn antelope are hunted here.
Hunters enjoy good success rates across nearly all of the species and seasons offered in this unit.
Terrain
The northern half of this unit is mostly rough canyon country, while the southern half is mainly flat to moderate. Capulin Volcano National Monument, which is home to the 8,182-foot-high Capulin Mountain, is in the southwest corner. The peak towers 1,300 feet above the surrounding plains. The Kiowa National Grassland is located in the southeast corner and is mostly flat with low hills on both sides of drainages.
Roughly 1,531 square miles
20.8% public land
Elevations range from about 4,700-8,200 feet
Vegetation
Lowlands are covered with short prairie grasses with stands of pinyon/juniper and oak brush in dry and running stream beds and along the edges of mesas. Cholla cactus and yucca are common plant species on low, flat ground and on some flat ridges, with some grassy mesa tops. In the northern half of the unit, branching ridges and tree-covered mesas with pinyon pines and junipers will also be encountered.
Access
A great deal of state land is landlocked by private property, but many tracts can be reached by hunters who drive on this area’s network of primitive roads. The Kiowa National Grassland is not a contiguous stretch of public property, but includes many private properties and scattered state and BLM tracts. Some public parts can be reached by the public while others can’t. Most hunting takes place on large, deeded ranches. US HIghway 87 runs southeast to the northwest and provides access to many side roads. Road 406 provides access to the Kiowa grassland, while Road 370 through the middle of the unit and 456 along the northern side provide access to other primitive roads. State land is closed to preseason scouting until seven days before the season for which you have a tag.
Four-wheel-drive vehicles are recommended
ATVs can come in handy on rough roads
Camping and Lodging
Many motels and hotels are in Clayton. Some are franchised with national chains, while others are local independent motels. A KOA campground and RV park is in Clayton. A state park at Clayton Lake has five campgrounds.
No camping or parking within 300 yards of water sources
If you buy a landowner voucher, ask about camping on the property
Some ranchers offer lodging and meals
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