Elk, mule deer and antelope are rebounding from the severe winter of 2007/2008 in this huge unit, which includes hundreds of square miles of public property managed by the BLM and the U.S. Forest Service from Gunnison south to high peaks in La Garita Wilderness.

Trophy size bucks may never fully recover from the severe winter of 2007-2008, yet hunters are beginning to take some great bucks again. Elk hunting is much better here than in many other units because tags are limited for all seasons. Pronghorns also are bigger here than in many other parts of the state.

From hayfields, meadows and river bottoms next to Gunnison in the north to San Luis Peak in the south, terrain rises almost 7,500 feet over 40 miles. Sagebrush foothills with some rimrock and scattered trees comprise the northern fourth of the unit, which is mostly BLM land with Hartman Rocks Recreation Area making up the northern tip. Hills to the south are steeper and mostly forested, those in the west on private and BLM land and the eastern mountains largely in the Gunnison National Forest. The southern tip is in La Garita Wilderness, part of the San Juan Mountains and containing peaks well above timberline, including 13,698-foot Baldy Alto, 13,810-foot Organ Mountain and the 14,014-foot San Luis Peak. The Cochetopa Hills are along the southeastern boundary and are dominated by Cochetopa Dome at 11,132 feet.

Hunters have good road access to most public land. Private land is limited with the largest contiguous deeded acreage northeast of Huntsman Mesa. The two main access roads to public land are Highway 149, which runs south along the western boundary and branches at the Powderhorn, and Highway 114, which runs south along the eastern boundary and branches into many county and forest service roads.

The northern foothills are mostly covered with sagebrush and wild grasses with a good deal of oak brush and clusters of pinyon and juniper. Cottonwoods and willows grow along creek bottoms. At higher elevations grow aspens, ponderosa pines, sagebrush, firs and grass meadows. Still higher are spruce and fir forests. Much terrain above timberline is barren rock and the balance is alpine tundra composed of flowers, grasses, forbs, moss and lichens.

Forest Service campgrounds include Luders and Cebolla Creek. Mason Family State Wildlife area has camping areas. Camping is allowed on most land, including the La Garita Wilderness. Lodging, fuel and many services are available in Gunnison.