At a Glance
673Square Miles
52.6%Public Land
5,821 - 14,309Elevation Range
Quick Tips
- Good trout fishing
- Ouray Hot Springs
- Telluride worth a day trip
Reports on Unit 65 in Colorado indicate varied experiences, with many hunters emphasizing the importance of understanding the terrain, which is rugged and demands physical preparedness. The area's draw odds suggest it's a popular choice, so scouting ahead of the season can be beneficial to identify strategic spots and reduce competition. Seasonality affects game behavior significantly, with elk often moving to higher elevations during early seasons and descending as temperatures drop. Hunters highlight the advantage of being adaptable and prepared for changing weather conditions to maximize success.
Uncompahgre National Forest, Uncompahgre and Mount Sneffels Wilderness, southwest of Montrose support a large number of elk and mule deer. Private land accounts for nearly 50% of the unit making late hunts somewhat more difficult as hunters need to navigate large portions of private. Public land hunters generally find better odds at large bucks earlier in the year.
This unit has excellent archery and muzzleloader hunting. The second and third rifle elk tags are unlimited, purchased over-the-counter, making for crowded conditions on public land. Private land has resident herds of deer and elk.