Big Game Hunting
For a limited number of sportsmen, big game hunting is the reason they come to the High Lonesome Ranch. The ranch is known for its trophy free-range elk and mule deer herds. You may find elk in the 320+ B&C class and mule deer in the 200 B&C class on the property, and a choice of seasons to suit your fancy. Whether you prefer high elevation, early season archery, or mid through late season rifle, The High Lonesome Ranch has plenty of big game opportunities for you. Bear hunting coincides with a few of the earlier elk and deer seasons, and combination hunts are available.
Colorado offers both a spring and a fall turkey season, but only spring gobbler is hunted at The High Lonesome Ranch. April is a perfect month to be at the ranch, and combining a morning turkey hunt with an afternoon fly-fishing trip is a popular combination for our guests. For those who don’t like to fish, why not substitute a round of golf?
Every hunt begins with a warm up. Enjoy a round of 5-Stand, Flurry, or the Pheasant Walk before your bird hunt. Our Big Game rifle and Black Powder hunters are assisted by our range master to have their weapons sighted in to confirm shooting condition and accuracy. Bow hunters can tune up on our expansive 3-D archery course. Beginner classes are available for new shooters and seasoned veterans enjoy a few tips from our expert instructors. Shotgun rentals and field and target shells are available in the Lonesome Outfitter Shop or at our clays course.
Elk and Mule Deer
At The High Lonesome Ranch you’ll find a perfect combination of elk habitats. From aspens to oakbrush and mountain shrubs to dark green timber, we’ve got it all on one ranch. You’ll find them at the higher elevations, which you’ll hunt early in the season. As the weather turns cold and the snow flies, the herds move to lower elevations on our ranch. In October and November you’ll find them in the pinyon-juniper and sagebrush flats at lower elevations. With over 300 square miles of permitted and deeded acres you’ll find elk during the summer and fall transition periods and leading into the winter.
Mule deer like edges, and our significant habitat work has included a combination of open space adjoining the big timber and canyon areas. Deer browse on woody vegetation, so when they’re on the ranch they typically occupy completely different habitats than our elk.
In addition to increasing our habitat work, The High Lonesome Ranch has continued to reduce the number of hunters allowed each year. Only mature animals are harvested, and a tremendous amount of work with state wildlife agencies has been conducted. We have focused on improving forage quantity and quality as well as increased mowing and aerating so as to improve overall herd health. Our goal is to allow our animals to reach their maximum genetic potential so our hunters consistently see deer in the 200 B&C class and elk in the 350 B&C class.
Choose from several different styles of hunts, each one specifically catering to a different type of sportsman. Each year, a limited number of hunters is allowed to pursue trophy elk and mule deer. Cow elk and management buck hunts are popular, too, and are an affordable way to participate in big game season at The High Lonesome Ranch. Colorado’s Western Slope is home to one of the largest free-range elk and mule deer herds in the country.
Of special interest is the High Ranch Camp. The High Ranch is a perfect opportunity for archery and muzzleloader hunters to hunt September’s bugle and rut as well as the early rifle season. Four tags, four hunters, with access to some of the best spots on the ranch. The herd is as good as it gets. We have other camps spread throughout our 300 square miles, so give us a call and let’s get you booked. Or ask us about our new combination elk/deer hunts.
Wild Turkey
Our conservation efforts and land improvements have been significant, and our Merriam’s turkey population has grown tremendously as a result of these efforts. Colorado offers both spring and fall turkey seasons, but The High Lonesome Ranch only offers a spring season. Hunt during the morning, trout fish in the afternoon, or come to the ranch to close out your slam. Calling a long beard into range is one of the most exciting sporting activities, and our mild winters ensure healthy bird populations.
Bear
Somewhere around mid-August, Colorado black bears realize that it’s about to get cold. During that time they start to feed, and they feed for up to 20 hours per day. Any area that has good berry and acorn production is an area worth hunting, and at The High Lonesome Ranch we’ve got the perfect dense stands. Fall bear season overlaps with archery and rifle deer and elk season, so if you tag out early on an elk or deer hunt, why not shift gears and pursue a bruin?
