Unit 106

Cheyenne Lookout and Cedar Point serve as useful high-ground reference points for orientation across the generally open country. Cottonwood Valley and Devil Canyon represent drainage systems that concentrate wildlife and provide natural travel corridors worth investigating. Rattlesnake Creek, First Creek, and Middlemist Creek define the main water drainages; these creek bottoms feature the densest vegetation and best chances for encountering mule deer and elk during dry periods.

The Limon Watershed reservoirs—including Nienhuser, Noonen, and the L-1, L-2, and L-3 reservoirs—are scattered across the unit and serve as water sources, though their reliability varies seasonally. Barking Dog Spring and Picnic Springs are marked water sources worth investigating during early or late season.

The unit sits in the transition zone between the high plains and foothills, with elevations ranging from around 4,700 feet in lower valleys to just over 6,000 feet on modest ridges. Habitat is predominantly short-grass prairie interspersed with scattered ponderosa pine, juniper, and Douglas-fir thickets, primarily along creek bottoms and north-facing slopes. Open grassland dominates the landscape, providing excellent visibility for glassing.

Vegetation becomes denser in scattered riparian corridors and canyon bottoms where moisture accumulates. This is not timbered country—forest patches are small and isolated, serving as thermal cover and travel corridors for game rather than primary habitat. The landscape is characterized by subtle elevation changes and rolling benches rather than dramatic terrain.

The unit is served by nearly 500 miles of roads, predominantly ranch roads, county routes, and backcountry access tracks rather than maintained highways. This provides fair accessibility by four-wheel-drive vehicle, though many ranch roads cross private land and require permission or designated easements. Most public access concentrates along the main creeks and near reservoir areas where public land pockets exist.

Road density is moderate relative to the unit's size, meaning access is distributed but not overwhelming. Hunting pressure is generally light to moderate compared to Front Range units, though opening weekends can see activity along accessible drainages. The combination of straightforward terrain, limited public land, and scattered private holdings means successful hunters often work relationships with landowners or focus on public creek corridors and small public land islands.

Unit 106 encompasses roughly 2,000 square miles across Arapahoe, Elbert, Washington, and Lincoln counties on Colorado's eastern plains. Interstate 70 forms the southern and western boundary, US Highway 36 marks the northern limit, and Colorado 71 defines the eastern edge. This positions the unit between the foothills and the Colorado plains proper, roughly 60 to 100 miles northeast of Denver.

The town of Limon serves as the primary population center and logical staging point for access into the unit. Adjacent units lie to the north and west; the vast majority of the surrounding country remains private ranch land and grassland.

Water is the limiting factor in this unit. Reliable sources include scattered reservoirs managed for irrigation and livestock, though public access to some may be restricted. Rattlesnake Creek, First Creek, Middlemist Creek, and Middle Bijou Creek provide seasonal surface water in their drainages and associated pools, but flow is dependent on snowmelt and precipitation.

During dry spells, these creeks may become intermittent. Cottonwood Creek offers similar seasonal reliability. Springs are scattered and limited; Barking Dog Spring and Picnic Springs are marked but may have variable flow.

Hunters should plan around reservoir locations and scout creek bottoms during scouting trips to identify which sources hold water during their intended hunt dates. Water strategy directly influences where game congregates, particularly during rifle season heat.

Unit 106 supports mule deer, white-tailed deer, pronghorn, and occasional elk and moose on the margins. Mule deer are the primary quarry, utilizing the scattered timber for cover and moving through open grassland to feed at dawn and dusk. Hunt the creek bottoms and juniper-covered draws during midday to catch bedded deer, then glass open benches during low-light periods.

Pronghorn occupy the open grassland year-round but concentrate near water during late season; spot-and-stalk tactics work well. Elk presence is limited; focus on the northern timber patches where ponderosa thickets offer edge habitat. Early season success favors hunting near water sources and creek corridors where game congregates.

Late season hunting shifts to thermal cover and smaller creek bottoms as weather deteriorates. The sparse-timber landscape rewards hunters with good optics who can glass effectively across open country while also working riparian cover methodically.