Hunt ID: CO-5076
About the Hunt Provider:
This ranch is a DIY Hunters dream. The lodging found in the middle of 325 private acres, surrounded by miles and miles of National forest off the beaten path, but still the road supplies good access to the cabin’s front door.
Use the sweet 450 square foot cabin for your base hunt nestled in the forest at a little over 9,000 feet in altitude. Plus have access to all 325 acres of private land to hunt.
This is a working ranch that run cattle during the summer. Cattle might even be on the property while you are there. (Please do not mistake them for two pointers and shoot them, the rancher might have problems with this.) It is located in the Uncompahgre National Forest. It is 325 acres of varying terrain. The ranch is completely fenced.
East
The East side is where the cabin is found. It is very hilly with a large variance of elevation. That side has lots of trees and much of the mountainside weeps water. It is in this area that most elk are spotted and lots of elk beds can be found. There is lots of feed and water available in this area with lots of areas you can get set up high and watch everything below.
For the owner, some of the best hunting on the property is the North/ East boundary. Most elk have been taken there as they cross from the northern property to our property. Do not limit yourself to that area because animals have been taken from every area of the ranch.
Fields
There are two large open fields on the ranch that are open areas with no trees. One is around and south of the cabin. Often deer and sometimes elk will wonder to the edge of these clearings in the mornings and graze for a few minutes. The northern pasture is where the cabin and pond are located. Some game come to the pond which is fed by a spring and most game taken in a lower wetland area below the pond. About half a mile in the southeast corner is another open pasture area. This is a very isolated area that is wonderful to camp and has its own water tank. Elk, deer, turkey and bear are seen here, and it is very quiet.
West
The west side it is very flat with lots of trees both standing and laying down. This side borders a protected wilderness study area. A lot of hunters go down there to hunt. It is very wild, steep and difficult terrain. No vehicles are allowed down there so any animals harvested in there must be carried out. The owner has spent many hours at the top waiting for elk to be scared up out of there, to the ranch from other hunters. While you are there, you will be the only hunters on the property.
On the other hand, there is a lot more ground that you can hunt. One is a little more rugged but we call it the canyon, and it has a little stream in the bottom. This is one place that deer and elk go to when the hunting pressure starts to bother them. Get out and look around there are many other places as well that are “Off the Beaten Path” that you can hunt. Watch for private land signs and don’t go there but that is possibly only 1% of the land in the area. Drawn maps of the best places to hunt will be provided for your hunt.
No Go Land
The piece of land just North of the cabin and East of the main road is private and belongs to someone else. Please do not enter that land. They have their own hunters and many times let us know they would call authorities if we hunt there. Everything else surrounding the ranch is public land and if you have the right tag, you can hunt that also but there are usually lots of hunters camping and hunting in those areas pressuring animals to the private land.
The Cabin
Inside the cabin there is one full size bed and one bunk bed that is a full-on bottom and twin on top. There is also a couch that can be slept on. Bring your own sleeping bag, towels, etc. There is a large stove/ fireplace that can be used, but for convenience there is also a 2 burner LP gas hot plate. Sitting on the counter there is a PUR water filter that can be used. We recommend you take bottled water to drink, but there is an artesian water supply above the pond and the shed behind the barn has water piped there. There is solar electricity at the cabin with a TV and DVD player and refrigerator. Located to the side and behind the cabin there is a shed that has a kitchen sink, washing machine, toilet and shower. There is also an outhouse for backup. Nothing is guaranteed to work all the time so best to bring backup equipment. Recommend you bring your own water and a backup heater.
You will be given instruction about the cabin, the property boundaries and what to expect from elk and deer as far as feeding, watering and bedding areas to hunt.
Location:
Western Colorado, GMU062. The closest town is Montrose, about an hour’s drive to the west.
Hunt Type(s):
DIY on 325 acres private land. Property surrounded by national forest. ATVs and horses ok. Corrals available.
Species & Recommended Seasons:
Elk and deer archery through 3rd rifle season. 4th rifle there is too much chance for snow and could get snowed out.
Licenses:
Licenses are over the counter or draw depending on season, unit and species.
License and Voucher Watchdog will get you the licenses you need.
License and Season Information
Lay of the Land:
Outside your cabin you will be greeted by walls of evergreens with aspen breaks in between. A number of large and small open parks in the area provide the sunshine for the native grasses to grow tall and the elk calving grounds to stay hidden from predators. This property is full of evergreen and aspens, a spot you will want to come back to year after year. Lots of deer and elk have been harvested off this land for many years.
Party Size:
2 to 4 hunters but could squeeze in 5.
Mode of Travel:
Vehicle, ATV, horse and foot.
Animal Quality:
Typical 4x4 to 6x6 elk. Mule Deer to 5x5.
Success Rate:
Success rate is not tracked for DIY hunts.
Hunt Difficulty:
Low impact meaning easier hiking than most hunts. Recommended for those that have difficulty getting around.
Pricing:
Elk and/or Deer
Archery and muzzleloader 5 days $1795/person.
Rifle 5 days $2095/person for 2 min and 4 max. (2nd rifle 9 day season split in half)
Non-hunting Guest archery $750, rifle $995.
No extra cost if you have more than one hunting license.
What’s Included:
- Cabin lodging
- Access to 325 acres.
- Information about the property and surrounding area and recommendations on where/how to hunt it.
What’s Not Included:
- Hunting Licenses
- Transportation to Colorado
- Meals
- Game processing
- Taxidermy
Use the Hunt Request Form or call us using the phone number at the top of the page to check on availability, ask questions or book it.
Disclaimer: All prices are per person unless otherwise noted. No additional fees for booking, the price is the price except for NM adds sales tax. Unless otherwise noted price is per person, no licenses/tags included, game processing and taxidermy costs extra. There is no guarantee in hunting. Availability and prices subject to change by the outfitter or landowner and they have the last word. If there is a discrepancy between our posted price and what they say it is then we do our best to negotiate for you but offer no guarantee. We do our best to audit them making sure what they say they offer they actually do by visiting them or going on hunts we pay for. No refunds for early tag out. No guarantee on filling hunting licenses.
