Unit 96

Navigation here depends on identifying creek drainages and reservoirs rather than peaks. Bijou Creek, Kiowa Creek, Beaver Creek, and Pawnee Creek form the main water features and natural corridors through the unit. Several named reservoirs including Prewitt, Kiowa, and Bijou Number 2 serve as reference points and water sources.

The Narrows along a major drainage provides a landmark for orientation in otherwise open country. County road networks are extensive and straightforward, making map work less demanding than in higher terrain.

Terrain here sits entirely below 5,000 feet, spanning low foothills and prairie benchland. Vegetation is predominantly sparse grassland and sagebrush with scattered cottonwood and willow along creek corridors. Irrigation infrastructure—including multiple canals and reservoirs—dominates the landscape, supporting both agricultural use and wildlife habitat.

The habitat transitions from open prairie to riparian draws as creeks cut through the terrain. This is largely non-forested country with vegetation tied to water availability and human land management rather than elevation-driven forest transitions.

Extensive county road network with over 700 miles of roads provides connected access throughout the unit. This is open country with minimal natural barriers to travel, making the unit accessible but also subject to road hunting pressure. Most hunters concentrate along accessible creeks and near reservoirs.

The straightforward terrain and easy road access mean solitude requires hunting the less obvious draws and creek sections away from main access points. Adjacent to populated areas and major highways, this unit sees consistent recreational use.

Unit 96 occupies the northern plains transition zone across Logan, Washington, and Morgan counties, bounded by Highway 144 on the west and US 6 and I-76 on the south and east. The northern boundary runs through a series of county roads connecting the three counties. This moderate-sized unit sits in the foothill fringe where plains grasslands meet the first benches of the Front Range system.

The landscape is characterized by agricultural development and private ranching operations interspersed with public hunting access, forming a working landscape rather than remote wilderness.

Water is the limiting factor and primary travel corridor. While multiple creeks drain the unit—Bijou, Kiowa, Beaver, Pawnee, Camp, and Badger creeks—most flow seasonally or intermittently depending on rainfall and irrigation schedules. Irrigation infrastructure is substantial: Bijou Canal, Tremont Canal, Deuel and Snyder Canal, and several smaller ditches supplement natural water.

Reservoirs including Prewitt, Kiowa, and Bijou Number 2 hold reliable water. Muir Springs provide another water reference. Hunting success depends on understanding which water sources are reliable in your season.

Unit 96 holds elk, mule deer, white-tailed deer, pronghorn, moose, bear, and mountain lion across this foothill-prairie transition. Elk use the creek bottoms and scattered timber in fall and early winter before moving to higher terrain. Mule deer concentrate in the broken country along creek drainages.

White-tailed deer favor the thicker riparian growth. Pronghorn use open grasslands. Success depends on hunting water sources and creek corridors methodically—this isn't glassing country from distant ridges but rather foot hunting through drainages and stalking open benches.

Early season often finds game lower here before higher country becomes accessible.