Quick Tips
- Carry plenty of supplies and spare tires
- Some parts are hours from the closest town
| species | general Size | trophy potential |
|---|---|---|
| Elk | 300"-330" | 340"+ |
On The Ground
This unit is along the Colorado border about 20 miles north of the southeast corner of Utah. One of the smallest limited-tag elk units in the state, this area is open to elk hunters during a late season in December and January, when many elk migrate here from Colorado.
Each year hunters take a couple bigger bulls. Most elk that winter here have spent spring, summer, and fall in Colorado's Unit 40. Most elk are found in terrain that is between 5,000 and 6,000 feet above sea level. This state issues very few tags in this unit. There is also not a huge population of elk in the area.
Terrain
Most animals are found in low canyons between 5,000 and 6,000 feet in elevation as well as on large and small mesas. There are small canyons that run east to west, draining into the Colorado River, which is the unit's northern and western borders. The Dolores River is the southern border. Elk get water from a few different creeks and small ponds throughout the unit. Snow is often on the ground during the season, making elk easier to see and track.
Roughly 183 square miles
95% public land
Elevations from about 4,318-7,682 feet
Vegetation
Pinyon pines and junipers grow on the mesas and high slopes along with a few aspens. Below are meadows, some sagebrush and oak brush. Along streams grow riparian plants, such as willows and tamarisk.
Access
Access can be difficult in this unit, one main route that hunters use is through Glade, Colorado. Hunters can also drive from Colorado on several good four-wheel-drive roads. Some roads are along the tops of mesas, skirting the sides of canyons. Hunters with ATVs can travel more quickly than those with conventional trucks and SUVs. A few hunters use flat-bottom boats to reach access points along the Colorado and Dolores rivers, allowing them to reach a small part of the unit. Some private property is along the Colorado River and the Colorado border. Hunters with good maps and GPS units should have no problem gaining access to public land.
Snow and rain can make roads hard to travel
ATVs are recommended
Some remote areas
Camping and Lodging
Most hunters camp on public land along dirt roads but can find lodging, gas, groceries and other supplies in Fruita.
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