Unit 591, located on Fort Carson in Colorado, comes with unique challenges due to its status as an active Army base. Hunters often face restrictions, such as limited access and unpredictable changes driven by military training schedules, which may deter some despite the potentially lower hunting pressure. Though the benefit of fewer hunters is appealing, the reality of strict regulations and required safety briefs can be cumbersome. Success rates appear inconsistent, which can be attributed to data collection across multiple units, and hunting here should consider whether the perceived benefits outweigh the difficulties of navigating the military environment.
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Fort Carson Military Reservation is within this unit, which is just south of Colorado Springs. Growing herds of elk but declining herds of mule deer and antelope roam this complex. Hunters must acquire passes, register firearms and attend orientation meetings before they can hunt separate blocks that total about 94,000 acres.
Elk numbers and quality are trending upward while mule deer and antelope herds have declined. The military might close seasons with no notice. Hunting areas are called blocks.
Rolling prairie is prevalent in the eastern part. Rimrock cliffs, broad plateaus, creeks, canyons and draws create the landscape in the middle and western parts, while flat prairies are in the south.
Some roads are surfaced with sharp-edged shale that can destroy tires. Hunters should have four-wheel-drive vehicles for driving on secondary roads in wet weather. Strict guidelines must be followed to hunt here.
Chief plants are short prairie grasses, sagebrush, oak brush, bitter bush, pinyon pines, junipers, yuccas, cottonwoods, willows, ponderosa pines and aspens.
Hunters with recreational permits may tent camp or park an RV at Womack, Townsend and Haymes reservoirs. RVs are restricted to gravel parking areas. Electrical, water and sewage hookups are unavailable. Pavilions at Townsend and Haymes reservoirs are for day use and may not be used for camping. Colorado Springs has RV parks, campgrounds, many motels, restaurants, gas, diesel, a major airport and medical facilities to meet any hunter’s needs.
Roughly 216 square miles
99.5% public land
Elevations from 5,500-6,700 feet
Hunters need a recreational permit and a daily downrange pass
Hunters must register firearms
Hunters must attend a downrange safety briefing
56 areas are available for recreation when not reserved for military purposes
Army officials decide which areas may be hunted each day
10 areas are reserved for archery, muzzleloader or shotgun hunting
Officials decide what types of firearms are permitted
Hunters need to present picture ID at a manned gate
Senior Manuel’s Mexican restaurant
Bird Dog Barbecue
Ted’s Montana Grill
Silver Pond, Thai restaurant