Unit 145, Colorado

Flat to gently rolling shortgrass prairie with long draws, Spring Canyon, and the Carrizo Creek drainage (a tributary of the Cimarron River). Elevation ranges from approximately 3,583 to 4,318 feet — the lowest elevation range of any Colorado big-game GMU. Terrain is dissected by shallow creek bottoms and canyon cuts near the Oklahoma border. No significant topographic relief.

Primary vehicle access is US Highway 287 (north-south), which also forms the western boundary of the unit. US Highway 160 traverses the northern portion. Picture Canyon and Carrizo Canyon are accessible from US 287. County Roads 42, G, and J frame portions of the unit. The Comanche National Grassland Carrizo Unit (approximately 35,000 acres within the unit, east of US 287 and south of Springfield) is managed by the Pike-San Isabel National Forests and Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands (USFS office: 27204 Highway 287, Springfield, CO 81073; 719-523-6591; Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm); it constitutes the primary walk-in public hunting access. Secondary grassland roads become impassable mud in wet weather; four-wheel drive with recovery gear strongly recommended. No developed campgrounds within or immediately adjacent to the unit. Approximately 79% of land is private; most ranches leased to outfitters, not open for public walk-in. Public land access for deer is poor; pronghorn access described as better. Nearest services: Springfield, CO (motels, fuel, restaurants, medical) 20-30 miles from central unit; Walsh, CO (basic fuel/food); Boise City, OK nearest town to southern portion. No hospitals, hotels, or grocery stores within 20 miles of most of the unit. No designated wilderness areas.

Dominant cover is shortgrass prairie (buffalo grass, blue grama). Other types include: sand sage flats; CRP (Conservation Reserve Program) fields; irrigated center-pivot and dryland cropland; cottonwood and Russian olive riparian corridors along Carrizo Creek and tributary draws; scattered yucca and prickly pear cactus on sandy soils. No conifer or aspen component; this is a plains grassland-agricultural mosaic.

White-tailed deer are the principal game species and primary draw for hunters; the unit supports a large whitetail population with trophy-class bucks documented along creek-bottom and draw corridors and in open prairie. Deer are resident year-round, concentrating near creek bottoms and CRP/agricultural areas during the rut (late October through late December). Mule deer present in small numbers, primarily near canyon terrain and draws. A small resident elk herd occupies the unit year-round; not considered a productive elk unit by Colorado standards. Pronghorn present at low density. Wild turkey present (confirmed by HuntScore species listing). Non-game wildlife includes coyotes, prairie dogs, swift fox, and golden eagles. Upland birds include scaled quail, bobwhite quail, ring-necked pheasant, and lesser prairie chicken. 328 bird species recorded in Baca County overall. No moose, bighorn sheep, or mountain goat present.