Below is a brief description of each hunting area available with Colorado High Country Adventures. Whether you are interested in pursuing elk and mule deer in the high country of western Colorado, or whitetails, mule deer, trophy bull elk and antelope on the plains of Wyoming we can accommodate you. Our 500,000 acres of private land hunting in Wyoming is fantastic for big mule deer, whitetails, trophy elk and antelope, with classic western accommodations in beautiful knotty pine cabins. We also offer great multi-species hunts in British Columbia for Mountain Goat, Cougar, Moose, Mule Deer, and Black Bear. Unguided drop camps are available in Colorado. Please review our hunting locations and let us know what type of hunts you are interested in.
Colorado Wilderness Ranch Hunt: Unit 521
Here we hunt on a 5000 acre private ranch high in the mountains above the western Colorado towns of Hotchkiss and Paonia. This country is located on the east side of Grand Mesa. The ranch is somewhat easier to hunt with a trail system in place for access to prime locations and an elevation at approximately 9000-10,000 feet. The ranch is reached via 4WD vehicle and hunting is staged from modern, comfortable cabin accomodations. Even though the ranch is off-grid, we have generators and propane allowing for hot water showers, lights and flush toilets.
This is a small hunting concession where we'll host approximatly 4-6 hunters most weeks. Success here is high on good, mature bulls with a 300" class animal a possibility. The deer hunting is very good with lots of big mule deer bucks. Some landowner vouchers are available for deer each year so ask early in the year if you want a combo hunt. Elk summer on the ranch so finding animals is generally not much of a problem.
This ranch is a locally owned family business where the rancher runs sheep in the summer and helps guide hunters. There are many repeat clients and some long-time guides. Transportation to the ranch is available from Grand Junction if you fly-in.
Average costs: Guided, 2X1 elk hunts cost $3700 per hunter plus your license with 1X1 hunts available at $4500. These hunts are a great value, especially for private land in Western Colorado. Cow elk hunts are $1000 while combo deer and elk hunts are $5500.
Colorado Private Land Elk: Unit 82
We have elk hunting available in the San Luis Valley for bull and cow elk. These hunts are on large private ranches where we access the properties by 4WD and hunt by spot and stalk. These ranches are in agriculture and large herds of elk move around the valley in search of the best alfalfa and crops and we hunt according to game movement. Licenses are guaranteed via land-owner vouchers with liberal hunting seasons often starting as early as July. This allows hunters to take bulls in summer velvet and we can hunt up until December 31.
Hunters stay in comfortable cabins and we will drive to the properties early each morning. If the hunt is unsuccessful we generally will leave the elk along during the day and return later in the afternoon when they again get up and move to feed.
These hunts are fair-chase but come with the highest possible success rates often approaching 100% shot opportunity and kill. In 2010 we took 100 elk on these hutns with some really big 6X6 bulls.
Average costs: Costs vary by ranch and 2011 rates have not been firmly set yet. However we expect guided cow hunts to be in the $1500 range with bull hunts approximately $4500. Hunts do not include your Colorado license.
Colorado Flat Tops Wilderness: Unit 24
The White River Valley and Flat Tops Wilderness Area of Colorado is home to the largest elk herd in the United States. Here we offer guided and unguided hunts in the wilderness area and adjoining National Forest. Unguided drop camp hunting is from remote pack-in tent camps while guided hunts are staged from cabins at the ranch in the valley.
From the ranch, the outfit includes aproximately 150 sq. miles of back country in the White River National Forest east to Trappers Lake and on both north and south sides of the White River up to the Marvine drainage. This vast country offers clients a very broad range of hunting opportunities ranging from 8,000 ft elevations to 11,000 ft.
Guided hunts average about 6-8 hunters per week and we hunt 2X1 while drop camps can be set for up to 10 hunters. Several of our guides and packers have been hunting this country for over 25 years! Hunters that are in good shape will have an advantage but horses sure do help with access the high country. This part of Colorado has lots and lots of elk and the trophy quality of the White River herd has really improved in recent years and we take some great 6X6 bulls every year.
Average costs: Guided 2X1 hunts are $3600 for 1st rifle, archery and muzzleloader hunts. The combo deer/elk hunts 2nd, 3rd and 4th season are $3200. Complete ready to hunt drop camps are $1750. All hunts are subject to taxes and change.
Colorado High Country Pack-in: Unit 681
Here we offer hunters guided, high country pack-in hunts for elk and mule deer in the mountains at the north end of the San Luis Valley. We also have private land elk and antelope hunts which take place on ranches located on the valley floor. The San Luis Valley and surrounding mountains is really neat place to hunt as often you can see elk, antelope and deer all in the same day. Elk numbers have increased in recent years with many elk summering right in the valley and we have expanded hunting opportunities for late season and cow elk hunts through December. Antelope are plentiful down in the valley as the alfalfa farms keep them around as well as lots of mule deer.
Self guided drive to (4WD) drop camps are also offered in the National Forest. These camps are set up in areas with minimal traffic and are a great choice for hunters who have lots of gear and are comfortable hunting on their own. We will have a complete camp ready to go, and we will show you on maps and with GPS places where we historically see elk. From there you are on your own. A four wheel drive vehicle is necessary to hunt these camps, but once there you can hunt out on foot or make short drives.
We also have available a beautiful log cabin situated on 80 acres of land surrounded by National Forest. This cabin is leased as an unguided drop camp with a maximum of 5-6 hunters. You can hunt right out the door or make short drives to other trailheads. The cabin is modern, fully equipped with propane appliances, hot water shower, indoor bathroom etc. and it sures beats a tent camp!
Average Costs: Guided elk and deer hunts will have an average cost of $3500 for guided rifle hunts and $3000 for archery. Self guided drive up drop camps are $1500 and guided late season cow elk hunts are $2000. Antelope hunts are guided at $2000. All prices are per person and subject to change.
Colorado Eastern Slope Private Ranch Trophy Hunting: Units 105, 106, 128, 133, 130
Mule Deer: We offer trophy deer hunts on the eastern plains for rifle, archery and muzzleloader hunters. We hunt units 105,106 and 130. All of these areas have historically proven to be among the best in Colorado for producing trophy mule deer and whitetail deer. The eastern plains hunts are our most popular and subsequently book up well in advance. We also offer trophy deer hunts on our mountain ranches. All of our deer hunts are accessed by four wheel drive truck, with hunting done on foot utilizing spot and stalk.
Antelope: We offer great rifle antelope hunting on the eastern plains. We hunt units 105,106,128, 133 and 130. All of these areas have historically proven to be among the best in Colorado for producing quality antelope. The eastern plains hunts are our most popular and subsequently book up well in advance. All of our antelope hunts are accessed by four wheel drive truck, with hunting done on foot utilizing spot and stalk. These hunts typically have a 100% harvest rate.
Elk Hunts: We offer trophy elk hunts on two of our ranches, in which only 6 X 6 - 300 inch plus and better bulls will be taken. This hunt takes place in game units where 330+ bulls are taken regularly. Our most popular season is usually the early rifle season. The bulls are typically still bugling some and the weather is not quite as much of a factor. Call early for these bookings.
Average costs: Guided fair-chase hunts at $5500-$6500 for trophy deer, $8500 for elk and $1500-$2500 for antelope. Semi-guided antelope hunts are $900. Prices do not include the cost of hunting licenses, tags or landowner tags and are subject to change.
Colorado Private Ranch: Unit 59... (SOLD OUT 2011)
The Ranch Property: This ranch, which was first homesteaded in 1888, is a property that consists of exclusive leases on 2,200 acres of private land, about 7,000 acres of B.L.M. land and approximately 10,000 acres of U.S.F.S. It is located south of Pikes Peak and features a long narrow valley with excellent grass and timbered ridges rising up from the valley floor. Mule deer and elk are abundant here.
Accommodations: Restored turn-of-the-century mining camp hotel including five bedrooms, parlor with player piano, large dining room, excellent wood fired heat, bath & shower on each floor, extra long beds and a front porch overlooking a trout stream and pond and occasionally, grazing elk. This is actually a restored mining camp hotel that was brought (in pieces) by buckboard from a mining camp location several miles south of the Ranch around 1910.
Average costs: Guided hunts only at $3995 rifle and $2995 archery. Prices do not include the cost of hunting licenses, tags or landowner tags and are subject to change. This hunt is already sold out for 2011.
Steve Bland
Colorado High Country Adventures
(802) 468-8869
"Serving big game hunters since 1994"