Hunters interested in Colorado's Unit S44 find it a mixed bag for sheep hunting, with some having success in recent years. The consensus suggests that with sufficient preference points (around 17-24), drawing a tag is feasible, though some believe better opportunities may exist elsewhere. Successful hunters like Travis and others have filled tags with rams, typically on a DIY hunt, around the fifth day of the season. Interested hunters should consider collaborating with those who've shared their experiences, as they offer potential hot spots to locate rams, though no specific outfitters are mentioned.
| species | general Size | trophy potential |
|---|---|---|
| Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep | 160"-170" | 175"+ |
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East of Basalt and north of the Fryingpan River are thousands of acres of White River National Forest and state lands. Colorado Parks and Wildlife estimate a herd of 70 Rocky Mountain bighorns.
Elevations reach over 12,000' and drop down to 7,000' along the Fryingpan River. The majority of the terrain is south facing, making it great winter range. You will spend most of your time glassing to locate trophy rams. The timbered slopes and basins will make this a challenging hunt.
12,000 foot Red Table Mountain runs from Crooked Creek Pass to North Fork of Cattle Creek with about 15 miles of red rock cliffs and rocky basins. Taylor Creek Pass can make it easier to move between Taylor Creek and Cattle Creek. Seven Castles borders 10 miles of cascading Fryingpan River, which pours out of Ruedi Reservoir. Drainages are steep and narrow below Red Table Mountain and can drop roughly 4,000 feet in elevation in just 5 miles before emptying into Fryingpan River.
White River National Forest combined with Basalt and Schuck state lands offer thousands of acres of public lands. Hunt around private land along the Fryingpan River with a map. Colorado Route 82, Fryingpan River, County Roads, Cedar Drive, Toner Creek, Taylor Creek, Red Table Mountain Road can all be useful roads. Basalt State Wildlife Area is 4,877 acres and is combined with other areas. Christine is located west of Basalt on Two River Road. Toner is reached by taking Fryingpan Road east.
Basins below Red Table Mountain have stands of spruce, fir and pine and are broken up by grassy wildflower covered meadows. Dropping into drainages, groves of aspen, willow and ponderosa pine line creek bottoms and nearby ridges. Areas of oakbrush and sagebrush, pinyon/juniper grasses can be found on south facing slopes.
White River National Forest offers a number of improved campgrounds near Ruedi Reservoir like Molly Be, Little Maud, Little Mattie and Ruedi Marina. Camping is prohibited within a quarter mile of Fryingpan River on state land. Camping is permissible during big game seasons as noted on area signs.
Roughly 156 square miles
71.4% public land
Elevations from 6,268-12, 037 feet