The discussion reveals that the draw system for Colorado's mountain bighorn sheep, moose, and mountain goat is more intricate than it initially appears. Hunters must first accumulate 3 preference points, at which point their applications become eligible for the actual draw, and they start accumulating weighted points instead of preference points. Weighted points act like a bonus point system, improving draw odds as hunters continue to apply each year without success. The consensus advice is for hunters to focus on purchasing points initially, conducting research on units afterward, and then applying once they have a weighted point, increasing their chances in the draw.
| species | general Size | trophy potential |
|---|---|---|
| Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep | 160"-170" | 170"+ |
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West of Fort Collins along the Poudre River is a bighorn herd estimated to be near 75 bighorns. Resident limited license can also be used in unit S18. The majority of public lands are on the Roosevelt National Forest.
This area has high recreational use by hikers, fishermen and rafters. Some sections of the Poudre Canyon are very narrow and steep, which means limited glassing opportunities. Try to glass early morning to mid afternoon. This can be a difficult hunt due to terrain.
Poudre Canyon is made up of 40 miles of steep rocky canyon walls with broad open areas like Indian Meadows, Kelly Flats and Dutch George Flats. Other areas are made up of gentle rising slopes. A number of gulches and creeks like Williams, Roaring, Peterson, Washout, Dry and Seven Mile drain into the Poudre River. Elevations north of the river rise to 10,000 feet.
County Road 69 heads north off of Colorado Route 14 and connects to Forest Service roads 225 and 168. Seasonal gate is scheduled to open July 1. Both Bliss and Arrowhead on Colorado Route 14 are bighorn areas.
Most areas on ridges, gulches and creeks have ponderosa, lodgepole pine, sagebrush, mountain mahogany, oak brush and aspen. Open flat areas have willows, cottonwoods and lush grasses.
Roosevelt National Forest has 13 improved campgrounds with more than 250 sites and nine day use areas along the Poudre River. Fort Collins, about 40 miles east of the unit, offers many choices of restaurants, cafes, motels, hotels, medical facilities, 24/7 gas and diesel.
Roughly 174 square miles
89% public land
Elevations from 6,511-11,003 feet