Unit 109

Navigation here relies on roads, township grids, and the few reliable water features. North Sand Creek, Hell Creek, Buffalo Creek, and Sand Creek are the main drainages—they're more likely to hold water than most country and serve as natural travel corridors. Chester Wieser and Kleweno reservoirs are small but notable for water seekers.

Dry Gulch and Spring Creek mark additional water reference points. The towns of Stratton and Burlington anchor the unit geographically and serve as practical navigation references. The straight-line road network makes landmark navigation less critical than in more complex terrain, but knowing which creeks cross your intended route matters for both water and route finding.

The entire unit sits below 5,000 feet, with elevations ranging from roughly 3,665 to 4,750 feet across gently rolling terrain. This is short-grass prairie and high plains country—sparse vegetation dominates, with scattered grasses, low shrubs, and very limited tree cover. The landscape is open and exposed, characterized by rolling grassland interspersed with bare or sparsely vegetated flats.

There are no significant timber stands or forest zones. What vegetation exists clusters near drainages and low points; the higher ridges and flats are predominantly bare earth and short grass. The terrain offers excellent visibility and very little natural shelter.

Over 1,850 miles of road crisscross the unit in a largely rectangular grid pattern, offering straightforward vehicle access to most areas. The road network is connected and well-maintained, making entry points numerous. However, the vast majority of land is private—public access is limited and requires permission from landowners or use of existing public access routes.

This is not walk-out-of-your-vehicle hunting; successful hunters build relationships with ranchers or identify specific public parcels in advance. The flat, open terrain means fewer natural choke points where game concentrates, spreading pressure thin across a large area. The lack of terrain complexity and limited water means hunters must search methodically rather than rely on natural funnels.

GMU 109 stretches across three counties—Washington, Yuma, and Kit Carson—in Colorado's northeastern corner. The unit runs from US 36 on the north to I-70 on the south, with US 385 forming much of the eastern boundary near the Kansas line, and Colorado 59 marking the western edge. Small towns like Stratton, Burlington, Bethune, and Seibert provide supply points and logical staging areas.

The region sits at the edge of the High Plains, far from any major mountain systems, making this a distinctly different hunt from the state's higher-elevation units.

Water is the limiting factor across this unit. Reliable sources are confined to a handful of drainages: North Sand Creek, Sand Creek, Hell Creek, Buffalo Creek, and Spring Creek support intermittent to seasonal flow depending on recent precipitation. Chester Wieser and Kleweno reservoirs may hold water but are small and unreliable.

Most of the landscape is dry grassland where springs are few and far between. Hunters planning to spend multiple days need to research water locations carefully and consider carrying supplies. The flat terrain means water moves quickly or evaporates entirely—early morning and late evening hunts near known creeks are strategic.

Dry seasons can make extended backcountry stays difficult.

Mule deer and white-tailed deer inhabit the grasslands and brush draws, using creeks for cover and water. Pronghorn are well-suited to the open plains and are huntable where public access exists. Elk and moose are possible but uncommon—habitat is marginal and populations sparse.

Mountain lion and black bear presence is minimal. Success depends on glassing large areas, covering ground methodically, and having solid water intel. Early and late seasons may push game toward drainages where vegetation provides relief from exposure.

The open terrain rewards hunters willing to glass methodically and hunt from a distance rather than expecting to stumble on game. Rancher relationships are essential—private land access determines whether you have a realistic hunt.