Hunting

 

Bear Mountain Ranch is home to hundreds of elk. The magic begins in late spring when hundreds of elk migrate back to the calving grounds on Bear Mountain Ranch. The sixteen square mile ranch, surrounded by national forests, offers excellent habitat for mule deer, pronghorn, elk and an abundance of other species of wildlife. With free range hunting strictly limited, the elk herds are magnificent. The Private Hunting Area is home to impressive trophy bulls and bison. Whether you seek the challenge of an open range stalk hunt or the lifetime satisfaction of a Preserve ambush-style trophy hunt, Bear Mountain Ranch is a unique destination.

Colorado’s archery season beings in late August and continues through late September. Colorado has a muzzle loading season for elk in mid September.

The first rifle season, beginning the first Saturday after October 9, is by draw only. Bull tags for the second and third rifle seasons can be purchased over the counter in many commercial establishments and sporting stores. The fourth rifle season, beginning in mid November, again is by draw only.

Please refer to the Colorado Division of Wildlife web site for more information on Colorado hunting seasons and regulations.

Hunting mule deer in Colorado has been by draw only for over five years. During that period, the mule deer herds throughout the State have increased in numbers and quality. At Bear Mountain Ranch, where they have been hunted very little, not only have herd sizes increased, but the caliber of the bucks is extremely impressive.

All seasons for mule deer are by draw only. With the exception of the first rifle season, mule deer seasons coincide with elk seasons. We encourage elk hunters to also apply for a mule deer tag.

Bear Mountain Ranch holds an important place in the distribution of pronghorn in the State of Colorado, as it is perhaps the only place in the state where the Continental Divide can be crossed below timberline. As antelope will not enter thick timber, the ranch may be the only potential crossing for pronghorn in the State, allowing herds to migrate from Wyoming and northern Colorado into Grand County and central Colorado.

The herds continue to flourish, migrate to Bear Mountain Ranch in the spring and stay through their mating season in September. These strange and wonderful animals truly are the fabled sentinels of the open grasslands on the ranch.

Pronghorn season, in early October, is by draw only. Currently, it takes numerous preference points prior to drawing a pronghorn tag. Bear Mountain Ranch is occasionally successful in drawing land owner vouchers which can be assigned to our hunters. Please contact us to learn of availability.

Stalking these magnificent creatures is a hunt not soon forgotten. Guests who have harvested Bison enjoy some of the finest mouth watering meat around. Both cow and bull bison are available. Cows also have fine and only slightly smaller horns. Depending on the time of the year harvested, both have fine hides for rugs. As a bonus, our Bison guests have the opportunity to combine a bison hunt with an elk hunt or, depending on the Colorado Division of Wildlife season and rules, a mule deer or pronghorn hunt.

The black bear rifle season in Colorado, approximately one full month in September, is by draw only. However, bear tags are available over the counter when another big game license is purchased during archery, black powder, or any of the rifle seasons. While we usually have numerous black bear, they are very elusive. One never knows when one might come upon a black or cinnamon beauty.

Licenses:

• Bear Mountain Ranch is located in Colorado game management units 17 and 181.
• All persons born on or after January 1, 1949, must have a hunter’s safety card.
• Free range hunt dates and fees are governed by the Colorado Division of Wildlife.
• Deadline for draw seasons is the first week in April.
• Persons may apply for draw seasons and left-over licenses on line.
• 500 square inches of daylight fluorescent orange (essentially a vest and hat) are required when hunting with a firearm.
• Antler size and point restrictions exist for elk and mule deer.
• Please refer to the Colorado Division of Wildlife web site for more details.

While Bear Mountain Ranch is home to hundreds of elk, few (if any) found in the wild are monster trophy bulls. If hunting a true monster trophy animal is your dream, Bear Mountain Ranch offers an incredible experience. Hunting from ground blinds near game trails, it is not uncommon for our hunters to observe three to four trophy or monster trophy bulls in a single day.

No license is required to hunt in the private hunting area.

Hunts in the private area can be physically demanding.

Pricing for Preserve Hunts is determined by SCI score of the bull, beginning at $5,000 for a bull that scores up to 325 SCI. The Numerous bulls scoring 375 to 410 and up call the Bear Mountain Ranch Preserve home.

Preserve hunters arrive on Thursday and depart on Sunday. Accommodations are at our comfortable Arapaho Lodge. All meals are included, prepared by our ranch chief. Additional hunting days may be available. Contact us for further information.

Many proud hunters have taken home splendid trophies from Bear Mountain Ranch. View some of our “success stories”.

Warning: If you are sensitive to images of hunting, please return to the Home page and browse some of Bear Mountain Ranch's other splendid activities.