Hunters in Unit 26, Colorado, report significant hunting pressure, particularly at the start of rifle seasons, which tends to make deer nocturnal and challenging to hunt despite some presence of larger bucks. Elk hunting receives mixed reviews, with more favorable scouting results reported during archery season, suggesting that those willing to venture further from the roads might find more success. The presence of fire and smoke from the Grizzly Creek area has been noted to affect visibility and could impact hunting strategies. Early season snow can push deer into neighboring units, so flexibility and persistence are crucial for success in this unit. Overall, hunters recommend being prepared for challenging conditions and adjusting strategies as needed based on animal patterns and terrain changes.
| species | general Size | trophy potential |
|---|---|---|
| Mule Deer | 140"-160" | 170"+ |
| Elk | 260"-300" | 310"+ |
High
Low
Decent populations of elk and deer are found in this unit along with opportunities to pursue moose. This unit offers great opportunity for hunters of all skill classes and backgrounds from remote canyons to low elevation prairie lands. Hunters will find a good distribution of public lands throughout the unit but access can become an issue later in the year where a large portion of wintering grounds encompass private property.
Hunters see many elk here, but hunting pressure is heavy enough that few bulls get old enough to grow trophy size antlers. There is no limit on elk tags for second and third rifle seasons. Expect spectacular alpine scenery.
Steep, rugged mountains with barren, rocky slopes and avalanche chutes plunging into timber are characteristic of Darby Peak and Flat Top Mountain in the west. King Mountain, King Mountain West and King Mountain East in the central part of the unit are moderately steep and well-timbered with grassy parks, mostly on western slopes. North Fork Darby, Cabin, Cedar and Sunnyside creeks drain the southern and central part of the unit, dropping into the Colorado River near Burns. Northern drainages flow toward Toponas. A few pivot-irrigation fields and pastures are along those drainages.
Sunnyside Country Road and County Road 5 southwest of Toponas go through the middle of the unit. Road 610 leads to Sump Park and trailheads to the Flattops Wilderness. King and Stifel Creek trailheads and another trailhead at Highway 131 lead to BLM land on King Mountain.
Burns to the base of King Mountain; sagebrush, pinyon-juniper and gambel oak. Above 8,000 feet in the White River National Forest aspens, lodgepole pine, spruce and open parks dominate the landscape. Dense, dark timber cover most north slopes while the south facing slopes have short grasses.
Forest Service campgrounds; Bear River, Still Water, Horseshoe, and Cold Springs are southwest of town of Yampa. Camps on King Mountain BLM land must be at least 150 ft. from creeks or streams, and 200 yards from a spring, pond or lake. Yampa on CO Hwy 131 provides gasoline and restaurants. Kremmling, to the east, has the closest hospital and motels. Steamboat Springs, about 40 miles north on CO Hwy 131 and offers all services.
Roughly 225 square miles
49.5% public land
Elevations from 6,495-12,354 feet
No OHVs allowed on King Mountain BLM
Good road access to most public land outside wilderness boundaries
No vehicles allowed in Flat Tops Wilderness