The unit runs from Fort Collins to the Wyoming border and is almost completely closed to public hunting even though about 20% is public property. Unless you have a friend who owns land here, plan to hire an outfitter or pay a trespass fee to hunt elk, mule deer or pronghorn antelope.

Most of the hunting in this unit takes place on private ranches, some of which are leased to outfitters who manage for quality. Large herds of elk, plentiful antelope and mule deer all thrive at elevations below 8,000'. Regardless of age or physical condition, hunters can enjoy themselves.

Flat agricultural land dominates the southern and eastern parts of the unit. Foothills etched with deep canyons, long creek bottoms, steep dry gullies and vermillion rimrock ridges run from north of Livermore to the Wyoming line. A number of steep mountains reaching 7,500 feet and higher complete the landscape in the north and west.

Hunters who can afford to hunt with outfitters on private leases have some excellent opportunities. State wildlife areas here are restricted to fishing and waterfowl hunting. Interstate 25 runs north and south along the eastern boundary, U.S. Highway 287 is the western boundary and the Wyoming line is the northern boundary.

Hunting is prohibited on about 38,000 acres of state, city and county land, including the 16,755-acre Soapstone Prairie Natural Area, which is owned and managed by the City of Fort Collins Natural Areas Program.

The 13,708-acre Red Mountain Ranch is owned by Larimer County and managed by a city department, Parks and Open Lands. A low number of permits are available. Prospective hunters must apply online in February for a county access permit. Successful applicants then must apply for a license in the annual state drawing.

Short grasses and sagebrush surround irrigated fields. Creek bottoms are lined with cottonwoods and willows, while foothills support sagebrush, oak brush, pinyon pines, junipers, mountain mahoganies, bitterbrush and ponderosa pines. Aspens, ponderosas and mahoganies grow on mountains.

Fort Collins and Cheyenne, Wyoming, have motels, hotels, restaurants, vehicle services and medical facilities. Big game outfitters sometimes provide ranch lodging.

Restaurants to consider: