Quick Tips
- Fly fishing on Arkansas River
- Use quality optics
- Be prepared for a physical hunt
| species | general Size | trophy potential |
|---|---|---|
| Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep | 150"-160" | 160"+ |
On The Ground
West of Cripple Creek and North of Canyon City is very extreme terrain that will provide hunters with a difficult hunt. The unit holds healthy numbers of sheep and offers both resident and nonresident tags.
Private land can impede access to some parts of the unit. Extreme deep canyons create opportunities for long range glassing. This is a physically demanding hunt.
Terrain
Phantom Canyon runs along the eastern boundary from U.S. Highway 50 to Victor and is extreme country. Fourmile Creek is a major drainage on the western portion and the surrounding canyons, ridges and gulches are more hospitable for hunters. Timbered mountains and steep drainages make up most of the terrain where the sheep live.
Roughly 418 square miles
43.3% public land
Elevations from 5,387-10,390 feet
Vegetation
Aspens, spruce, Douglas fir, lodgepole pine and open grassy parks can be found in the higher elevations. Cottonwoods and willows along drainages are also in this area. Oakbrush, pinyon/juniper, mountain mahogany, rabbitbrush, bitterbrush, sagebrush, buffalo and blue grama grasses grow throughout the lower elevations to the foothills.
Access
Over 89,000 acres of BLM are within this area, but many of the rams are found on private land or landlocked public land. County Road 104 and Great Valley Road east of Guffey lead to very limited BLM, but the area is known to have rams on private ground. County Road 9 heads north out of Canyon City and leads to sections of BLM above Dilley Ranch Road. A good trail system can be used to access the more remote parts of the unit using the different county and state roads.
Four-wheel drive is recommended
Camping and Lodging
BLM allows dispersed camping. Cripple Creek offers hotel, motels, restaurants, gas, diesel and limited medical care. Canyon City in the south has a variety of motels, restaurants, fuel and medical care facilities.
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