|  Elk
Mountain Ranch permits big game hunts each year for the following
species:
- Mule deer
- Rocky Mountain
elk (bulls and cows)
- Pronghorn
antelope
- Bison bulls
The ranch contains
over 20,000 acres of wild land, including forested mountain terrain,
sagebrush flats and foothills, meandering streams and aspen-covered
foothills. Altitudes range from 7,500-ft (2,300M) to 11,156-ft (3,400M)
at the top of Elk Mountain. This area has no crossfences, and is
not included in the fenced grazing lands where our bison herd lives.
The serious hunter is offered complete privacy; while there may
be two groups hunting simultaneously, it is unlikely they will see
each other during the hunting day. Hunters arrive at the ranch the
afternoon before their hunt begins and stay in our lodge facility.
The lodge has three 2-person rooms, one 4-person room, and three
separate bathrooms with showers. There is a laundry facility as
well.
 Hunters
enjoy conversation and camaraderie in a luxurious trophy room furnished
with a wet bar, wood stove, desk with fax and telephone, television
with VCR, and outside deck for lounging. Hot soup or chili is always
available at the bar, and nuts, candies and granola bars are plentiful
for the quick snack. Coffee is always hot. Meals are served ranch
style, with guides and clients dining together. Lunches are prepared
to order and are usually taken out to the field. Special dietary
requests can be accommodated if needed.
The hunt style
is rigorous. Guides and hunters travel to hunt areas via multi-passenger
UTV’s. Hunting is then done on foot, allowing the guide and
hunters to access the canyons and timbered areas of the mountain
for their hunt. There is a walk-in cooler and game can be transported
to a local butcher for processing. Taxidermy services are available
in Saratoga, Laramie and Rawlins, all within an hour’s drive
of the ranch.
Mule Deer:
 The genetics of Elk Mountain mule deer have produced many fine
trophies over the years. By limiting the hunting pressure on the
ranch, bucks scoring 180 B&C and above are not uncommon. Eastman’s
Journal estimated the antlers of the famed “Hornbeck buck”
measured close to 40 inches. This buck lived and died of old age
on Elk Mountain Ranch, leaving behind a pool of trophy genes. We
maintain a 4-point or better rule when harvesting our mule deer,
with a goal of taking only the older age-class animals. Only 6-8
deer hunts are allowed each season, providing for a quality hunting
experience.
Bull
Elk:
 Quality of the elk herd on Elk Mountain Ranch is the best it’s
ever been. Recent surveys on the winter ranges have shown tremendous
growth in both herd size (950 animals) and mature bulls. Bull
to cow ratios are approaching 40:100, providing our hunters with
ample opportunity to harvest trophy-class animals. Many bulls are
reaching the 320-360 B&C class because of our extensive management
program. Only 14 bulls per season are harvested on Elk Mountain
Ranch. This gives each and every one of our hunters an excellent
chance to harvest that trophy of a lifetime!
Cow Elk:
As part of our elk management program, we encourage the hunting
of cow elk to improve our bull-cow ratio. These hunts are conducted
following the bull season, either as single or multiple day hunts.
Antelope:
Carbon County, Wyoming has always been known for its antelope
populations. Elk Mountain Ranch is home to many of these fine creatures.
An antelope hunt is usually a one- or-two day affair, with many
of our clients scheduling an antelope hunt in combination with another
big game species hunt. The quality of bucks in our area is generally
good, as many fine trophies are taken each season.
BISON BULLS
(Buffalo):
These North American natives, some retiring as herd sires, make
interesting and unique trophies. Hides, after tanning, can approach
50-square feet and can be made into robes, rugs, blanket throws
and so on. Big bulls can weigh over 2,000 lbs and provide the tenderest
of all tenderloins and a plentiful supply of healthy, lean ground
bison meat (about 55% of live weight converts to meat products such
as jerky, sausage, patties, etc.). These hunts can be scheduled
in conjunction with regulated big game hunts or on their own. NO
LICENSE IS REQUIRED TO HUNT THIS ANIMAL.
Click
here for Hunting Pricing.
Box
74, Elk Mountain, Wyoming 82324
phone: 307-348-7440 | fax:307-348-7447
recreation@elkmountain.com
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