Unit 112

Lake Creek, Long Creek, and their tributaries—including Apache Creek, Middle Rush Creek, and Mustang Creek—form the primary navigation corridors and water sources across the unit. These drainages all flow from west to east, providing natural travel routes and reliable water for both animals and hunters. Beckman Lake and the smaller Fred Pauls Detention Reservoir serve as reference points and emergency water sources.

Rock Point offers a notable vantage for glassing the surrounding grassland. The canal systems (C.H. Mallon Ditch and Laddie Ditch) mark irrigation infrastructure visible on the landscape and useful for orientation.

The unit holds steady in the mid-5000s elevation range, a consistent high plains environment with minimal elevation change. Grassland dominates the landscape, dotted with cottonwoods and willows along creek drainages and scattered juniper on slightly elevated sections. Sagebrush fills the spaces between creeks, creating the classic shortgrass prairie habitat.

The sparse forest coverage means open country where glassing works well and thermal cover concentrates around the creek bottoms and scattered timber patches. This straightforward elevation band supports pronghorn year-round and brings elk and deer seasonally.

Over 300 miles of roads crisscross the unit, creating fair accessibility across a mix of public and private land. This is working ranch country, so most roads serve ranch traffic and irrigation access rather than recreational hunting. The fair access rating reflects the reality: you can reach many areas, but the patchwork of ownership requires planning.

Pressure varies by season; early season typically sees lighter use as most hunters head for higher mountain units. The straightforward terrain and accessible roads mean popular areas fill quickly, so knowing which public sections hold game and accessing them early is key to avoiding crowds.

Unit 112 occupies the western portion of Lincoln County, bounded by U.S. 40 to the north, Colorado Primary 109 to the east, Colorado 94 to the south, and Colorado 71 to the west. The unit sits squarely on the high plains transition zone where the mountain slope gentles into grassland. This is ranch country interspersed with public sections, a patchwork requiring careful attention to ownership boundaries.

The surrounding landscape continues in similar fashion—open grass with intermittent creeks and sparse timber, typical of the Colorado plains.

Water availability is the critical planning factor here. The creek system—Lake Creek and Long Creek with their branches—provides reliable water throughout the unit, though seasonal flow varies. Early season and late season often see reduced flow, making spring-fed sections and the reservoirs more important.

Hunters should locate water sources before the hunt and plan routes around them; the grassland stretches long between drainages in places. The ditches indicate irrigation water in some sections, but these are often private. Understanding the creek network and which sections hold water is essential for success on this open terrain.

Unit 112 supports elk, mule deer, white-tailed deer, pronghorn, moose, bear, and mountain lion historically, though the high plains environment favors pronghorn and mule deer year-round. Elk move through seasonally, typically using the creek bottoms and timber for cover before returning to higher elevation. Pronghorn prefer the open grassland; early morning and late evening glassing from ridges overlooking the grass works well for spotting them.

Mule deer use the creek drainages and scattered timber. Focus on water sources during hot seasons. The flat terrain means visible movement is possible—spotting and stalking tactics work better than pushing through cover.

Early season offers best conditions before pressure builds and animals shift patterns.