Hunting and Fishing
Hunting
This area of Southern Colorado is known for its trophy elk and mule deer. At one point I was informed by the Colorado Division of Wildlife that from Highway 160 to the New Mexico Border and from Interstate 25 to the Sangre de Cristos and an area just South of Trinidad know as Colorado Unit 140 that there was 21,000 head of elk. I have no idea what it is today but I know that we see elk in many areas of the county west of the Interstate on regular basis. Many times on our own property or close by in the valley. You will find many different animals in this area such as elk, mule deer, whitetail deer, black bear, mountain lion, pronhorn antelope, bighorn sheep, rabbit, turkey, scaled quail, dove, bobcat, lynx, badgers, coyote and fox just to name a few. This is a "Mountain Zoo" and we are thankful that the state created the 35 acre rule for domestic wells in 1972 as this has created a wonderful situation where the animals still have plenty of space and we do too!
This is a typical photo of one of our large bull elks
I took this photo of a herd of elk in Las Animas County
Below is a map of the local Colorado Division of Wildlife Group Units in this area. We are in Group Unit 140.
And here are some phone numbers that contacts that will help you get more information
Division of Wildlife Local Officers (719) 846-3813
Colorado Division of Wildlife Officer: Bob Holder (719) 680-1410
Bosque del Oso State Wildlife Area Technician: Alan Vitt (719) 680-1036 Spanish Peaks State Wildlife Area Technician: Marty Bates (719) 941-4896
A photo that I took of a local Black Bear
The Meriam Turkey is common in this area of Colorado
Here are some online information that you may also find helpful
Division of Wildlife Game Management Unit Maps
Colorado Division of Natural Resources
You can also email the Colorado Division of Wildlife
for more information
AskDOT@state.co.us
Bosque del Oso
From their web page: "The largest habitat acquisition to date for both the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and the Colorado Division of Wildlife, the Bosque del Oso State Wildlife Area protects nearly 30,000 acres of critical habitat. Located in Las Animas County, the area provides winter range for animals for Colorado's second-largest elk herd, along with habitat for mule deer, bears, turkeys, bobcats, bald eagles and trout. Now, as a public wildlife area, many generations will enjoy the Bosque's open spaces, wildlife, scenery and recreational opportunities. Located south of Weston this is one incredible Wildlife Habitat."
Bosque del Oso Map and Restrictions
Spanish Peaks Wildlife Management Area
Be sure to check out this wonderful area in Las Animas County.
Fishing
This area of Southern Colorado has many good places to enjoy fishing with a variety of species to choose from such as: Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Largemouth Bass, Channel Catfish, Walleye, Wipers, Saugeyes, Crappie and Bluegill to name a few.
Where to Fish in Las Animas and Huerfano Counties?
Trinidad Lake State Park is located just west of Trinidad and offers excellent fishing and recreation also called the Trinidad Reservoir - The lake level varies from 475 surface acres to 800 acres when full. This is one of the best bass fisheries in Colorado along with wipers, walleyes, saugeyes, crappie, catfish and two species of trout. Fall fishing for warm-water species should be excellent until November; trout fishing will be good until early December when ice begins to form. But the ice seldom gets thick enough to support ice fishermen.
Monument Lake on Highway 12 with the West Spanish Peak in view
Bear Lake is located in the San Isabel National Forest and have excellent fishing from the shore.
This is just a small portion of what is available here locally. We encourage you to explore this area and find you own "Sweet Spots" and share them with us. Hope that this page has at least been some help to you in the mean time!