At a Glance
Quick Tips
- Most hunters scout from roads
- Carry a GPS and land ownership maps to avoid trespassing
- Use your binoculars and spotting scope to find and judge animals
This triangular and almost entirely private unit is part of the Big Sandy Creek drainage, which is home to pronghorn antelope, whitetail deer and mule deer. One side of the triangle is U.S. Highway 287, which runs parallel to the creek between Hugo and Wild Horse.
Although mule deer and whitetail deer numbers are low, some bucks get old because landowners limit the number of hunters. Expect to pay a landowner or outfitter. Some landowners sell transferable vouchers that allow hunters to bypass the annual permit drawing. Public hunting is limited to Hugo and Kinney Lake State Wildlife Areas, which cover a total of 2,295 acres. Some local farmers give hunting permission to pronghorn hunters but not to deer hunters.
Gently rolling plains are divided by county roads and dry beds, some of which are usually dry. Some land is planted in crops. This unit contains part of the Big Sandy and Rush Creek drainages. A few lakes and reservoirs are scattered throughout the unit. Lowest elevations are in the southeast.
Good roads form the unit boundaries: U.S. 40/287, Highway 96 and Highway 71. County roads run north and south or east and west, which makes navigating the flat terrain easy. Landowners have networks of dirt roads and trails.
Sagebrush, prairie grasses and yuccas thrive. Crop fields are mostly planted in wheat, but some farmers grow corn or alfalfa. A few cottonwoods grow along river beds, and willows are common.
Limon, Hugo and Burlington are the closest towns with lodging. Hugo has a motel and a bed and breakfast. Limon is farther but has several hotels and motels. A few local bed and breakfasts are within an hour’s drive. Camping is allowed in the Kinney Lake and Hugo state wildlife areas.
Roughly 211 square miles
7.4% public land
Elevations from 4,400-5,400 feet