At a Glance
300Square Miles
77.3%Public Land
6,890 - 10,995Elevation Range
Quick Tips
- Good trout fishing in the Arkansas River
- Hot springs are near Buena Vista
- Lots of bears
- Striking fall colors
Hunters discussing Colorado's Unit 57 mainly highlight the challenging terrain, which requires proper preparation for a successful hunt, particularly in later seasons. The unit appears to offer decent odds for drawing a tag, making it a viable option for those looking to explore areas with fewer hunters and more rugged landscapes. Seasonality plays a key role, with many hunters noting better success in archery and muzzleloader seasons when animal movement patterns are more predictable. Overall, hunters advise focusing on scouting and understanding local game behavior to improve chances of a rewarding hunt in this unit.
The southwest part of this unit borders Salida and runs about 30 miles north to Trout Creek Pass. Mule deer and elk inhabit private land and a larger amount of public land in the form of the San Isabel National Forest and BLM ground, including most of Browns Canyon Wilderness Study Area.
Resident elk and mule deer inhabit isolated mountains in early seasons and large bucks and bulls migrate here during late seasons from high ranges to the west and north, though the bigger bucks tend to come from private land. Antelope are scarce.