Which Rifle Season to Choose

The Colorado 2023 Big Game Rifle season is divided into Archery (Sept. 2-30), Muzzeloader (Sept. 9-17), 1 st Rifle (Oct. 14-18), 2 nd Rifle (Oct. 28-Nov. 5), 3 rd Rifle (Nov. 11-17), 4 th Rifle (Nov.22-26). OTC (Over-the-Counter) bull elk tags which are unlimited are only available during 2 nd and 3 rd rifle seasons. These tags are guaranteed and go on sale beginning Aug. 1, 2023, at 9am and may be purchased until the day before the season begins. You may also apply for additional game tags during the primary/secondary Colorado Big Game draws. SunnRanch is inCO Game Unit 441. All deer tags are draw only for every rifle season. Applications for the draw begin March 1, 2023 and ends April 4 at 8pm Mountain Time. There are no OTC tags during 1 stand 4th rifle seasons. Therefore, you must obtain game tags by the primary or secondary draw to hunt these seasons. Again, these tags aren’t guaranteed, and clients usually experience a 50-60% success rate in the draws. IF YOU RESERVE FIRST OR FOURTH RIFLE AT SUNNRANCH AND ARE UNSUCCESSFUL IN THE DRAW, I REFUND YOUR MONEY. I’m also available to help you negotiate the CDOW when applying for tags. ALL TRIPS TO SUNNRANCH ARE RESERVED ON A FIRST COME FIRST SERVED BASIS. I’m able to accommodate up to 4 hunters per season. If you have any additional questions, please fill out form below.

How do I get a Colorado Game Tag?

I am available to help you choose which game tags you should apply for depending on what hunting season you choose. Note: (You are guaranteed an OTC bull tag ONLY in the Second and Third Rifle seasons). Again, I will advise you on other tags you should apply for by draw during Second and Third Rifle seasons. We typically see a 50% success rate in the Second Rifle draw and 80% in the Third Rifle draw. The Colorado Dept. of Wildlife changes quotas year to year, so these percentages can vary. Tags for First and Fourth Rifle are by draw only. If you plan to book a trip to Sunn Ranch for either of these seasons, you first need to secure a tag. Application deadline for the Primary draw is April 4th at 8pm. Draw results for the primary draw are posted May 30-June 2. Hunting: Archery tags in Game Unit 441 are only available by draw. They can be hard to get without a preference point. Therefore we typically guide archery trips in the Game Unit 214 just to our east. OTC archery tags are unlimited for this unit and can be purchased beginning Aug. 2. We access Unit 214 by UTV, hike to base camp and/or use one man tents to get as close as we can to the elk herd. 2022 Archery dates are: September 2-30.

Yurt Availability and Hunting Explanation

The Sunn Ranch sits on 48 acres adjacent to the dry fork of Elkhead Creek on CR 56 in Routt County, Colorado. The area is untamed and off the beaten path. Its main feature is astounding natural beauty, uncanny quietness, and an abundance of wildlife. Immediately adjoining the ranch are an additional 700 acres of accessible BLM land. The Routt National Forest is only a short drive north. The property boasts a well-appointed yurt that can serve as basecamp for almost any adventure. Recreational activities include: hiking, camping, hunting, fishing, photography, wildlife viewing, horse-back riding, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, and snow-mobiling.

The yurt is available year-round and may be reserved by calling (970) 405-6281. The only exceptions are during hunting seasons which extend from September through mid-November. Reservations during this time must be combined with a guided hunting trip. Note: Access to the property is difficult during “mud-season” and late winter. Heavy or melting snow can make CR 56 impassible without proper equipment. You may contact me to inquire about road conditions.

Hunting Packages: All hunters must obtain their own valid Colorado Big Game tags for the corresponding season. The Sunn Ranch is in Colorado Big Game Management Unit #441. Most of the accessible hunting in the Routt National Forest near the ranch is also in GU 441. Guided trips aren’t limited exact date breakdowns but you must inquire to see if I am able to accommodate different combinations of dates. The ranch and surrounding BLM best accommodates 4 hunters at a time. Tripod shooting stands and ground blinds are provided. Depending upon exact weather patterns and elk heard movement all the rifle seasons can be very good on the ranch. Earlier bow seasons tend to be better in the National Forest. The reason for this is elk and deer at higher elevations in late summer and early fall but move lower as winter approaches. In the earlier seasons I am able to provide a basecamp (Cabela’s outfitter wall-tent) in the National Forest in order to get as close to the herds as possible. From this basecamp, you can also elect to overnight in a bivy tent that gets you even closer to the elk heard. Again, the best choice depends on season and herd location and movement. You want to arrive early the day before your hunt trip begins in order to set up and be ready. Call or book your trip on the website.