Hunting FAQ
How to book a hunt
In order to secure a spot for an archery or rifle hunt we will need a signed contract and 50% deposit check. Usually we book up in the early months of the year. It is best to call or email the office with the contact information of the hunters and the season that you are interested in. We will then email a hunting contract for you to review, sign and return with the deposit check. Balance of payment is due 30 days prior to the hunt.
You can reference the dates & rates section on this website for prices of the hunts.
Office mailing address: P.O. Box 1116, Crested Butte, CO 81224
Office phone: 970-349-5462 Monday through Friday
Office email: huntbark@gmail.com
Deposit and Cancellation Policy
Hunt packages at Bar K Ranch are considered “booked” when a 50% deposit of the total price of the hunt is received at the office. In addition an individual contract and invoice will be emailed to the interested party with the hunt package information.
Individuals booking for multiple hunters will be required to notify in writing additional hunters names and email addresses. All persons booking will be held to this deposit policy.
In the event of a cancellation, refunds of deposits are available under the following circumstances:
Cancellations made before May 31: refund of deposit is available, minus 15% administrative fee.
Cancellations made after May 31: no refund of deposit available.
Exceptions to this policy are made at the sole discretion of Bar K Ranch management on a case by case basis.
NON HUNTERS
We are happy to accommodate non-hunters in camp for a fee of $250.00 per day for the full number of days booked. Non-hunters can enjoy relaxing at the lodge, fishing, hiking and nature photography while at the ranch. If the non hunter wants to go out in the field during a hunt they will have to pay the full price of a guided hunt.
Preparing for the hunt
Physical conditioning - Colorado's diverse terrain provides scenic beauty but can test one's physical abilities. Guide vehicles are used to cover some country, but walking is mostly involved on all hunts. The hunter who has prepared him or herself physically has the edge on harvesting an animal. Any exercise program you undertake will help considerably during your hunt. Most hunters will be coming from a lower elevation and getting acclimated to our elevation takes a couple of days. So if you are able to arrive a day or two early and see the sights this can also help. A lot of hunters fly to Denver and rent a car and spend a day or two getting to the ranch.
Hunter Safety Requirements - Anyone born on or after January 1, 1949, is required to have a hunter education card to hunt in Colorado. A hunter education card is required to apply for or buy a hunting license. Your hunter education card must be carried while hunting, unless it is verified and your license is marked with a “V”. To get your hunter education card verified, take your hunter education card to a Colorado Parks and Wildlife office. CPW honors hunter education cards from other states, provinces and countries.
Shooting Skills - We recommend that you bring a rifle that you are familiar with and have practiced with. Most of our shots are 150-250 yards. Most important is that you bring a rifle that you are comfortable with. We would rather you bring a 270 that you have shot for years rather that a .338 Win Mag that kicks more than you would like. Also recommended is that you sight your rifle in 3" high at 100 yards to be zero between 200 - 250 yards. We want you to practice shooting under normal field conditions and to shoot within your limitations. Ideally we would hope that your shot would be under 300 yards and that you would have practiced at that distance.
General Gear List - Hunting license, binoculars, backpack for carrying water, snacks, two pair of waterproof boots, rain jacket, rain pants, sunglasses and hunter orange hat and vest is required for rifle hunts. A detailed gear list will be included in the hunting contract.
Taxidermy & Meat Processing - It often depends on when in the week you shoot your animal and if you drive or fly to the ranch. Hunters can take the meat to a local processor and usually they can turn it around in a couple of days. The meat can be shipped to your home or you can drive it home as well. Meat processing is not included in the hunt fee. We use two different commercial processors approximately 1 hour from camp. We have a hanging facility and your guide will assist in skinning and quartering your animal. We do not allow hunters wanting to take their meat with them to bone out their animals inside our facilities. If you plan to take your meat home with you we suggest that you bring a folding table, proper cutlery, freeze paper, tape, bags and coolers to take care of this outside of the buildings.
Where is Bar K Ranch?
Bar K Ranch is located in the heart of elk country in west central Colorado. Situated in game management unit 521, we hunt on 5000 acres of private and public land. We hunt on several private ranches in the area and we also hunt in the Paonia Ranger District of the Gunnison National Forest by special use permit with the USDA-Forest Service. Detailed written directions, map and GPS coordinates are available after booking the hunt.
WHAT YOUR HUNT PACKAGE INCLUDES
Guided hunts include lodging, meals and guide service. Rifle hunts consists of 4 1/2 days of hunting. See the dates and rates section for hunt prices.
Meals include a hot breakfast, bagged lunch and a delicious home cooked dinner. Rates do not include alcoholic beverages.
Rates do not include purchase of your hunting license. Licenses must be purchased before you arrive at the ranch.
Hunts do not include gratuity for guides, camp jack and cook.
The gratuity in our opinion should be based on the individual effort and dedication of your guide. It should reflect your overall hunting experience not just the size or score of your animal. Having stated that, if you believe your guide worked hard, was knowledgeable about the area and animals, and did everything they could to make your hunt a success; typically around 20% of the cost of the hunt is what we suggest, and is more or less the industry standard.
Wounding Policy
Our goal at Bar K Ranch is zero wound loss each year. However, we understand that wounding does occur in hunting. We emphasize that hunters make good shot decisions in regard to distance, placement and to stay within their limitations. Bar K Ranch has a blood and done policy for ALL hunts that take place on the ranch. This means that if a hunter draws blood on an animal that animal in turn belongs to the hunter for the remainder of the hunt. Every effort will be made to recover the animal while the hunter is at the ranch with the help of the hunter’s guide. If the animal is not recovered, we do not allow the guest to hunt for another animal. Occasionally the animal is recovered after the hunter has left the ranch and we will do our best to ensure the hunter has the first right to claim the antlers.
