Norwood’s mesa and surrounding national forests host a wide variety of wildlife. Deer, elk, pheasant, grouse and duck make it one of the most popular hunting areas in Colorado. Outfitters and guides are available to assist you in safe and successful hunts.
The San Miguel and Dolores Rivers, and many clear mountain streams provide a challenge for trout fishermen. Miramonte Reservoir, located just 17 miles south of Norwood, offers some of the best year round lake fishing on the western slope. Keep a line out for the infamous craw-trout…only one has ever been caught!
GENERAL INFORMATION
U.S. Forest Service Ranger District
Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forest
The USDA Forest Service – Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forest offers a really nice map. Scaled 1/2 in. per mile, the map shows roads, trails, streams, lakes, recreation sites, land ownership, and major points of interest. Please visit their website or contact them at (970)874-6600 or TDD (970)874-6660.
Local Division Office:
1150 Forest, Norwood, CO 81423
(970)327-4261
Open normal business hours, Monday – Friday.
The Colorado Division of Wildlife
The source for all your specific questions regarding specific seasons, license requirements and all local and state regulations.
Colorado Division of Wildlife Headquarters
6060 Broadway, Denver, CO 80216
(303)297-1192
Regional Office
2300 S. Townsend Ave., Montrose, CO 81401
(970)252-6000
DOW numbers to call for up-to-date recordings of season dates and other information (area code 303)
Deer, Elk, Antelope: 291-7529
Fishing: 291-7533
Small Game: 291-7546
Stocking Report: 291-7531
Waterfowl: 291-7548
Camping: 291-7532
Maps: 291-7540
Hunter Education: 291-7530
Mobility Impaired Hunting License: 291-7528
Fishing Cond. SW CO: 291-7539
TDD (Hearing Impaired): 291-7417
MAPS
National Forest Maps
U.S. Forest Service, 1150 Forest, Norwood, CO (970)327-4261
Norwood Hardware Store, 1635 Grand Avenue, Norwood, 970-327-4238
Denver Division P.O. Box 25127, Lakewood, CO 80225; 303-275-5350
Public & Private Land Maps
Bureau of Land Management, Uncompahgre Resource Area Montrose, 970-240-5309
Quad Maps
Hi-Country Motorsports, 1395 Grand Avenue, Norwood, 970-327-4271
Norwood Hardware Store, 1635 Grand Avenue, Norwood 970-327-4238
Topographical & County Maps
U.S. Geological Survey, P.O. Box 25286, Denver Federal Center, Denver, CO 80225; 1-800-435-7627 or 303-202-4700
OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLES
Colorado off-highway vehicles must be registered with the Division of Parks. There is a fee, and out-of-state OHVs need to show some form of registration from another state. For information, contact Colorado State Parks Registration Unit, 13787 S. Hwy 85, Littleton, CO 80125, 303-791-1920. You can also register at State Parks regional offices and most OHV dealers. USFS and BLM lands may have OHV restrictions. Visit our Recreation page for local services.
HUNTERS BRINGING HORSES
You must contact a veterinarian to get a Certificate of Health Inspection 30 days before entering Colorado. Horses also need a Coggins Test for equine infectious anemia within a year before coming here. Questions, call the Colorado State Veterinarian’s office, .
CERTIFIED HAY
The U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management are trying to combat the spread of noxious weeds by requiring CERTIFIED hay, straw or mulch on national forests and BLM lands in Colorado. The following are allowed: certified hay, cubed and pelletized hay, steamed grain and treated or steamed mulch from tree fibers. Call the Colorado Dept. of Agriculture, 303-239-4140, the local office U.S. Forest Service or BLM for information.
GUIDES & OUTFITTERS
Visit our Outfitters / Recreation Section for local services, or contact the Guides and Outfitters Association, P.O. Box 1304, Parker, CO 80134; 303-841-7760.
HUNTING & FISHING
Big Game Season Dates for San Miguel County
San Miguel County includes Unit 61 (limited license area; applications due first week of April), Unit 70 and Unit 711 (season license available from local vendors).
For a complete schedule of seasons and game units please visit the Colorado Department of Wildlife directly. Or call (970) 252-6000.
Fishing
In San Miguel County, there is a wide variety of fishing experiences. The season is year-round, and Cutthroat (Native), Brook, Brown and Rainbow Trout are abundant in the reservoirs and rivers on and around Wright’s Mesa. Fishing Seasons are from January 1 to December 31 each year, including the taking of crayfish (crawdads). A fishing license is required to take crayfish, and manner of take can be by hand, baited lines, traps, pots, nets or seines for food or bait. In waters closed to taking bait fish, seining for crayfish is prohibited.
For daily bag limits visit Colorado Department of Wildlife.
SAN MIGUEL COUNTY
These units apply for all terrestrial game species (except bighorn sheep and mountain goat). Unit boundaries are subject to change.
Unit 70 - (Dolores, Montrose & San Miguel Counties) bounded on the north by CO 90 between the Utah state line and the Dolores River, the Dolores River to the San Miguel River, the San Miguel River to Placerville, CO 62 to the Ouray-San Miguel Co. line; on the east by the Ouray-San Miguel Co. line and the San Miguel-San Juan Co. line; on the south by the San Miguel-Dolores Co. line to Disappointment Creek, the Dolores River, Summit Canyon Creek; on the west by the Utah state line.
Unit 61 - (Mesa, Montrose, Ouray & San Miguel Counties) bounded on the north by CO 141 from Gateway to the Div. Rd. (USFS Rd. 402); on the east by the Div. Rd. to S. Div. Rd. (USFS Rd. 517) to Johnson Springs; from the Dave Wood Rd. at Johnson Springs to Ski Dallas; on the south by CO 62 from Ski Dallas to Placerville; on the west by the San Miguel River from Placerville to the Dolores River, from the Dolores River to Gateway.
Unit 711 - (Dolores, Montezuma & San Miguel Counties) bounded on the north by Summit Canyon Creek, from the Utah line to the Dolores River, the Dolores River, Disappointment Creek to USFS Rd. 526 (Dolores- Norwood Rd); on the east by USFS Rd. 526 to CO 145; on the east and south by CO 145; on the south by CO 184; on the west by US 666 to the Utah line and the Utah line to Summit Canyon Creek.
DIVISION OF WILDLIFE PROPERTIES
In San Miguel County, the following Division of Wildlife properties are accessible for hunting and fishing. All are designated State Wildlife Areas, and Miramonte Reservoir is also a Federal Aid Property:
Dry Creek Basin
From Naturita, go 17 miles S on Hwy. 141 to beginning of property, Hwy. 141 travels SW through property (approx. 34 miles from Norwood).
HUNTING: Deer, elk, rabbit, dove, mountain lion, bobcat, coyote, trapping.
RECREATION: Picnicking, hiking, wildlife observation.
RESTRICTIONS: Camping prohibited except in designated areas and snowmobiles are prohibited.
Miramonte Reservoir (Dan Noble State Wildlife Area)
From Norwood, go 1 1/2 miles E on Hwy. 145 to Lone Cone Rd. (Dolores-Norwood Rd.) then 17 miles S to reservoir. 831 acres.
HUNTING: Waterfowl.
FISHING: Coldwater lake.
RECREATION: Power boating, sail surfing, water-skiing, camping, wildlife observation.
FACILITIES: Trailer dump station, rest rooms, drinking water, boat ramps, shelters, will with potable water.
RESTRICTIONS: Camping prohibited except in designated areas. The discharging of firearms or bows prohibited except when hunting waterfowl. Water-skiing and jetskiing allowed in designated areas only, and prohibited between the hours of 6pm and 10am.
Woods Lake
From Placerville, go approximately 2 miles E on Hwy. 145 to USFS Rd. 618 in Fall Creek, then 8 miles S to property. Approximately 27 miles from Norwood. 160 acres.
FISHING: Coldwater stream, coldwater lake.
RECREATION: Canoeing, wildlife observation.
FACILITIES: Rest room.
RESTRICTIONS: Artificial flies or lures only, and boating prohibited except craft propelled by hand, wind or electric motor. Camping is prohibited.
PRIVATE PROPERTY
Gurley Lake Reservoir (Lone Cone SWA)
From Norwood, go 1 1/2 miles E on Hwy. 145 to Lone Cone Rd. (Dolores-Norwood Rd.) then 7 miles S to reservoir. 300 acres.
HUNTING: None.
FISHING: Coldwater lake withg rainbow, cutthroat, and cuttbow.
RECREATION: Electric motor fishing, wildlife observation.
RESTRICTIONS: By permit only ($25 annual fee) from Norwood Hardware Store, The Plateau, or Colorado Trophies along with a Colorado fishing license. Flies and lures only, catch-and-release (can keep 1 fish per person per day). May walk around lake only, no vehicles. Camping prohibited.
County Park 
(Applebaugh fishing easement)
From Placerville, go 3/4 mile S on Hwy. 145 to property. Approximately 17 miles from Norwood.
RECREATION: Wildlife observation.
STATE TRUST LANDS
CARTER PLACE
From Naturita, take Hwy. 145 E 3 1/2 mile to Hwy 141; go 3.6 miles S on Hwy. 141, turn W on Cty. Rd. HH31 and go 3 miles to dirt road, then go 1 mile S. 130 acres.
OPEN: Sept. 1 – Feb. 28
HUNTING: Deer, elk, small game.
ACCESS: Through BLM. Foot or horseback only.
POISON SPYDER
From Naturita, take Hwy. 141, 15 miles S to Cty. Rd. 29W. Take Cty. Rd. 29W west 1.7 miles from Hwy 141 on BLM Rd. 4088 and go 2 miles NW. Turn S on road, and go 1 mile S. 640 acres.
OPEN: Sept. 1 – Feb. 28
HUNTING: Deer, elk, small game.
ACCESS: adjacent to BLM on three sides.
