Unit 42, Colorado

Elevation ranges from approximately 4,800 feet in the lower canyon and sagebrush foothills near the Colorado River to approximately 11,000 feet on the high Grand Mesa rim and eastern White River National Forest peaks (Blair Mountain on the White River Plateau reaches 11,465 ft just outside the unit; the unit high point is roughly 11,000 ft). The southern portion (inside the national forest) is mountainous with barren ridges, peaks, basins, and alpine slides above timberline. Mid-elevations consist of canyon country, timbered benches, and aspen parks. The lower third is characterized by rimrock canyons, sagebrush flats, and pinyon-juniper ridges interspersed with private agricultural land. Terrain is steep — approximately 80% of the public land has slopes of 26 degrees or less, but rugged canyon terrain predominates at lower elevations. High-clearance 4WD is recommended on primitive roads; many roads become impassable mud in wet conditions.

The unit is split roughly 55–56% public / 44–45% private. Public lands include White River National Forest (Rifle Ranger District, headquartered at 0094 County Road 244, Rifle, CO 81650; 970-625-2371) covering the southern mountainous portion, and BLM land (managed by the Grand Junction Field Office and Glenwood Springs Field Office) covering canyon drainages and mid-elevation BLM parcels within the unit. The Grand Mesa National Forest (GMUG; supervisor's office in Delta) abuts the southern boundary. Primary highway corridors: I-70 runs along the northern boundary through the Colorado River canyon (Parachute, Rulison, Rifle exits provide key ingress). Highway 6 parallels I-70 through the valley floor. Colorado Highway 330 follows Plateau Creek along the eastern side of the unit toward Collbran on the north edge of Grand Mesa. Colorado Highway 65 (Grand Mesa Scenic Byway) climbs from Mesa/Delta onto the Grand Mesa top but mainly serves adjacent units. Key access routes into the high country: From Rifle, County Road 244 leads north into White River NF uplands with forest roads branching to hunting areas. Forest roads are closed November 23 to May 20 for winter travel management per the Rifle Ranger District MVUM. County Road 242 (~1 mile north of Rifle on Hwy 13) provides 4WD access to BLM canyon lands. ATV trails and forest roads checker the higher elevations throughout the unit, though many roads are primitive. Little Box Road (FR-825) northeast of Coulter Lake requires high-clearance vehicles. Private land is abundant (~45%) and creates a checkerboard of access challenges particularly in the lower canyon and valley bottom areas. Hunters must verify land ownership boundaries. No designated wilderness areas fall within the core of GMU 42 (the adjacent Flat Tops Wilderness is in GMU 25 to the north). Garfield State Wildlife Area (Garfield SWA) provides some additional hunter access parcels within the unit.

The unit displays a full elevational gradient of western Colorado cover types. At the highest elevations (above ~9,500 ft): Engelmann spruce and subalpine fir forest with some alpine tundra near the peaks. Between roughly 8,000–9,500 ft: aspen parks, Douglas fir, and lodgepole pine transitioning to mixed conifer. Mid-elevations (6,500–8,500 ft): oakbrush, serviceberry, and mixed shrubfields on south-facing slopes, with aspen draws and riparian willow/cottonwood in creek bottoms. Lower elevations (4,800–6,500 ft): pinyon pine and juniper woodlands with sagebrush flats, rimrock terraces, and dry grassy parks. Agricultural hay meadows and ranch pastures occupy the private land in canyon bottoms and valley floors along Plateau Creek and major drainages.

Elk: GMU 42 supports one of the larger elk herds on Colorado's Western Slope, well distributed across the unit. Elk occupy high-elevation spruce/fir and aspen summer range through September and October; as snow deepens or hunting pressure builds, they migrate to lower-elevation winter range in canyons, sagebrush parks, and private hay meadows. Cow elk and late-season hunts (December–January) utilize lower-elevation winter concentration areas, many of which are on private land. Mule deer: Present throughout the unit at all elevations. Bucks concentrate in the southern forested portion early in the season and descend to mid-elevation transition zones during October through the rut (late October/November). Deer numbers have been rebuilding and are expected to provide good opportunities at mid-elevations. Shiras moose: A small population present, associated with riparian willow corridors and higher aspen drainages. Tags are draw-only and extremely limited. Black bear: Present unit-wide; OTC archery and rifle bear tags available. Mountain lion: Present throughout the unit; managed as limited license draw. Turkey: Rio Grande and Merriam's wild turkey present; OTC spring and fall tags available. Pronghorn: Present on the lower sagebrush flats and open park areas at lower elevations. Additional wildlife: Canadian lynx (documented on Grand Mesa), pine marten, golden eagle, bald eagle, peregrine falcon, boreal owl, and sage grouse in lower sagebrush zones.