Northwest Colorado is known as having some of the highest numbers of elk of any place in the nation. Roughly 1/3 of all the elk taken in Colorado are harvested in this area, but hunting private land is critical here. This property is in the heart of that area. The town of Craig, CO calls itself the Elk Capital of the nation and rightly so. And they have antelope too. The area has all the ingredients it takes to produce high numbers of big game animals – prime habitat and plenty of private land that offers security cover, giving animals the opportunity to reach their trophy potential.
This hunt takes place on a 3,600-acre ranch south of Craig, and the hunting success is normally very good. Elk trophies here are perhaps a bit above average for Colorado, but do not expect to kill giant bulls. But a big one can happen. But practice your shooting using sticks/tripod, as shoots from 300 out to even 500 yards are not uncommon, and shooting from a prone position is rarely possible! There’s normally a maximum of 4 hunters in camp at a time.
Hunting takes place at elevations ranging from 6,600 feet to about 8,000 feet. Vegetation and terrain varies, but the timber is quite dense in many areas. Access on the ranch is by four-wheel drive on seasonal ranch roads, plus of course on foot. In general, anyone in modest physical condition will have a great hunt and they can accommodate the less mobile as well. PLEASE NOTE THAT YOU WILL BE HUNTING MORNINGS (NO LATER THAN 10:30 AM) AND AFTERNOONS (3:00 PM) ONLY; NO ELK HUNTING WILL BE CONDUCTED DURING THE MID-DAY HOURS WHEN THE ELK ARE BEDDED!
LICENSES
The application deadline is approx. April 1. A Colorado bull elk license is approx. $644 and antelope $389.
2022 PRICES (subject to change until deposit is received)
Bull Elk (rifle or archery) – $4,5000 per person 2×1 for a 5-day hunt (arrive on Saturday and hunt Sunday through Thursday)
Cow Elk (rifle only) – $2,250 per person 2×1 for a 3-day hunt
Food and lodging is NOT included or provided, but is readily available nearby in Craig.
GETTING THERE
The ranch is located in Moffat County, approximately 20 miles from Craig, Colorado. It is one hour from Steamboat Springs and 45 minutes from Hayden Airport, which has jet flights by major carriers.
HUNTERS BORN ON OR AFTER JANUARY 1, 1949 MUST HAVE COMPLETED A HUNTER EDUCATION COURSE, AND MUST CARRY PROOF OF COMPLETION IN THE FIELD WHILE HUNTING.
