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
Hunters exploring Unit 65 in Colorado generally highlight the unit's diverse terrain and the challenge it presents with its variable accessibility. The seasonality seems to play a crucial role, with some hunters noting that the game movements and concentrations can significantly change depending on the time of year. Draw odds are favorable, particularly for those pursuing elk during archery or early rifle season, suggesting a strategic advantage in targeting these periods. Overall, hunters recommend thorough preparation for the unit's rugged landscape and emphasize the importance of understanding animal behavior throughout the seasons to optimize hunting 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.