Unit 107

The North Fork Arikaree River and associated drainages including Gordon Creek, Duck Creek, and Hackberry Creek provide navigation corridors and water-finding landmarks. Flagler Reservoir and Lake Creek Reservoir offer reliable water access points and glassing vantage; smaller features like Herman Fritzler Erosion Control Number 1 Reservoir and Dugout Springs are scattered throughout. These draws and water sources concentrate wildlife movement and serve as reference points in country where landmarks are subtle—the key is using them to break up the open plains into manageable hunting sections.

The entire unit sits in a tight 1,400-foot elevation band between 4,400 and 5,800 feet, meaning virtually no vertical zonation. Sparse ponderosa and pinyon-juniper scattered across grassland and short-grass prairie dominate the terrain. Habitat transitions are subtle—open grassland interspersed with patches of low timber, draws with slightly denser cover, and the occasional drainage bottom with riparian growth.

This is transition country between true plains and foothills; hunters encounter rolling terrain rather than dramatic topography, with visibility often excellent across the open portions.

Over 1,700 miles of road provide excellent connectivity—the unit is essentially accessible from multiple directions via county and state highways. This means easy entry but also dispersed pressure; well-known water holes and road-adjacent areas can see significant hunting traffic. The low complexity rating reflects straightforward navigation; getting to the unit is simple, but the vast open acres and sparse landmarks mean hunters must work harder to locate game.

Solitude is possible by moving away from roadside access and known reservoirs.

Bounded by U.S. 36 on the north, Colorado 59 on the east, I-70 on the south, and Colorado 71 on the west, Unit 107 covers a substantial eastern plains area spanning Washington, Lincoln, and Kit Carson counties. Small towns like Arriba, Flagler, and Genoa sit within or near unit boundaries, providing services and orientation. This is classic northeastern Colorado high plains—accessible but remote-feeling, where the landscape stretches without dramatic relief and development is sparse.

Water is the limiting factor. The North Fork Arikaree River runs through the unit as the primary drainage; smaller creeks and draws hold intermittent flow. Three reservoirs and scattered springs provide reliable access for both wildlife and hunters willing to locate them.

Seasonal precipitation heavily impacts reliability—early season and spring hunts benefit from better water distribution, while summer can leave stretches dry. Understanding water locations is non-negotiable for planning routes and predicting where game will concentrate.

Unit 107 supports mule deer, white-tailed deer, pronghorn, and occasional elk and moose in this prairie-to-foothills transition. Mule deer favor the sparse timber patches and draw bottoms; white-tailed deer congregate in riparian areas and drainage cover. Pronghorn thrive in the open grassland.

Early season hunts focus on water sources and timber transition zones where animals seek relief and cover. The limiting factor isn't terrain difficulty—it's locating animals in big country. Glassing from high points, hunting near reliable water, and covering ground methodically are essential.

Best success comes from patience, willingness to glass extensively, and understanding seasonal movement patterns tied to water availability and forage quality.