hunting

Our goal is to provide an affordable quality hunt to our clients. We believe the best measure or evaluation of a guide and outfitter is not his percentage kill, hunt fees, food, etc., but rather his percentage of repeat clients. We are proud that each year up to 85% of our clients hunted with us before, many for more than eight years. We encourage you to talk with them about our hunts (References available upon request). We list successful and non-successful hunters for a more representative opinion.

“Just wanted to drop you a line and let you know that I will have to say my 10th hunting trip to Circle K Ranch was the best of all. I did not think it could get much better, but I would have to say that the food was the best ever and the staff was certainly the friendliest and most experienced I have ever seen. I heard nothing but compliments from every hunter that was staying at your ranch in reference to the great services that they had received. Please pass on to all your staff how much I appreciate them.” Mark M. , Meridian, MS.

More "bragging-size" deer and elk are taken from the San Juan’s than from any other area of Colorado.

The official record books and hunt publications continue to list Southwest Colorado San Juan National Forest lands for producing record book animals. Circle K Ranch is located in the heart of this prime hunting area (unit 71). Hunts are on National Forest Lands.

ELK AND DEER SEASONS
	2008	2009
Archery	August 30 - September 28	August 29 - Sept. 27
Muzzleloader	September 13 - 21	September 12 - 20
Rifle (5 day) - Elk Only, Draw	October 11 - 15	October 10 - 14
Rifle (9 day) Combined deer and elk	October 18 - 26	October 17 - 25
Rifle (7 day)	November 1 - 7	October 31 - Nov. 6
Rifle (5 day)	November 12 - 16	November 11 - 15

Muzzleloader, 1st. Rifle Elk, Rifle Cow Elk, and all Deer licenses are available by drawing only.

All other licenses can be purchased at Circle K Ranch before each season starts. Archery licenses may be purchased after the season opens. Applications for licenses through the drawing process must be submitted by approximately April 1 and may be obtained by writing to : COLORADO DIVISION OF WILDLIFE, 6060 BROADWAY, DENVER, COLORADO 80216 (303) 297-1192 or call their Durango office at (970) 247-0855 or DOW’s web: http://wildlife.state.co.us/

Non-Resident License Fees: Deer $301.00 - Elk Bull $501.00 - Bear $251.00 - Habitat Stamp $5.00 (required on first 2 licenses)

You may arrive as our guest, but you'll leave as a valued friend.

Outfitter: Al Cannon 970-562-3808 or (Jan. 15-May 1) 623-975-1465

ECONOMY LODGE HUNT
	Our Non-Guided Hunt for those who are tired of camping out and want a nice warm bed, hot showers, home-cooked meals, and a large lodge fireplace to sit around in the evenings. Hunting area begins 1/4 mile in any direction from Circle K lodge. Most of our hunters kill their game within 8 miles of the lodge. This hunt includes 7 nights lodging, all the food, snacks and non-alcoholic drinks you want, our advice on where and how to hunt our area, pack service to get your trophy out, Topographic maps and pick up of your party at the Cortez, or Telluride airports. Includes everything except sleeping bag, personal gear, transportation for hunting, rifle and game license. Archery - Muzzleloader...$1,450 ea. Rifle Hunts...$1,650 ea. Extend your hunt for only $75.00 per night each
“ Just a note to let you know that I really enjoyed my time spent hunting with you and the crew. The food was fantastic and the staff is unbeatable. Thanks again for a good time.” Bill S., Huntington, W. Virginia

GUIDED ELK/DEER HUNT

Five day hunt includes seven nights lodging and meals at the ranch, your personal horse, the services of a professional guide and his horse and/or truck. Includes everything except your sleeping bag, personal gear, rifle and game license.

	1 on 1	2 on 1	3-4 on 1
Archery - Muzzle	$3,900	$3,200 ea.	$2,900 ea.
Rifle Hunts	$4,200	$3,500 ea.	$3,100 ea.
Combo- Hunt, Add	$400	$300 ea.	$200 ea.

Just wanted to thank you and your crew for all the assistance afforded to us during our stay. My son and I had an excellent trip and a wonderful time. We were also pleased that we were able to hunt with Charlie (hunting guide). He maintained a positive attitude throughout and kept us pumped up. I told my son afterwards that we had just attended three days of elk hunting school. We both learned a lot and almost scored on the first day after our guided hunt. I have no doubt that we would have killed an elk while with Charlie if the weather had been a bit better. That’s why they call it hunting and not killing....We did not measure the success of our hunt by whether or not we took an elk, but rather by what we learned, how we were treated, and how much we enjoyed the total experience. Thank you.” Jay H.

DROP CAMP

Complete tent camp with equipment set up. You bring your own food, sleeping bag with foam pad and drop cloth or cot, personal gear, rifle and game license. We provide all the rest and pack you in and back out with game for a 5 to 12 DAY HUNT (plus one day pack in and one day pack out). The Drop Camp Hunt is for those who like to rough it a little, camp out under the stars, and just get close to mother nature. Hunting area starts at your tent door. Add the cost of horses if you prefer to have them in camp.

	ARCHERY/MUZZLELOADER	RIFLE HUNTS
2 hunters/camp	$1,900 ea.	$2,100 ea.
3 hunters/camp	$1,700 ea.	$1,900 ea.
4+ hunters/camp	$1,600 ea.	$1,800 ea.
"Once again I would like to say thank you for all the hospitality you showed us. You have an outstanding operation and some fine help...” Trey H.

GUIDE SERVICE
	Guides are available on a daily basis subject to availability. There are times when our fully guided parties bag their deer and elk during the early part of the season. Although you cannot book a guide in advance on a daily basis, we can provide a guide during the hunt subject to his availability. Includes services of a guide and his horse and/or truck. Specify when you book your economy hunt that you want a guide for one or more days if available. Daily guide fee is in addition to economy fee & includes a horse. Deduct $75 if you booked a horse with your economy hunt or prefer to hunt without a horse. 1 Hunter/Guide...$425/day 2 Hunters/Guide...$325/day ea.

HORSES
Our gentle and sure-footed mountain horses will allow you to cover a lot of country and get back into remote Colorado hunting areas rested and ready for the days hunt. Especially recommended for those who do not exercise regularly or who live near sea level. The full hunt booking (minimum fee) provides you with a horse for up to 12 days and includes tack, feed and daily trailering to local trail heads. Daily delivery and pickup of horses applies only to clients staying at the ranch. Our horses are usually booked up (by the hunt) well in advance of each hunt. Daily rental of horses is therefore subject to availability during the hunt and may not be reserved in advance. Colorado Guide and Outfitter Association Rental Forms are used. Horse rental fees shown are for those who have booked a hunt with us. Add 10% without a booked hunt. Archery-Muzzleloader...$500 1st & 2nd Rifle Hunts...$525 3rd & 4th Rifle Hunt.....$500 Daily Rental..................$125

CABIN RENTAL (Self-Service Hunt)

We have a few nice 1 BR., 2 BR. and 3 BR. cabins if you prefer doing your own cooking. Each is equipped with gas heating and cooking stoves, bathroom with shower, refrigerator, electricity, cooking and dish utensils. Just bring your bedroll, linens, food and personal gear. This package is provided for the do-it yourself hunter who wants minimal assistance. Horses, guides, game pack, etc. are at extra cost if contracted. Minimum six night booking.

One or two hunters...$210/night - each additional person...$60/night

“I just wanted to thank you again for a great experience at your ranch. You have an excellent group of employees and a first class operation. It is obvious that you take pride in what you do and strive to accommodate everyone that is a guest at your ranch. Our cabin was very comfortable and everything that you said it would be when we booked our hunt. I have been on several ‘poor boy’ hunts in Colorado and it was certainly nice to have a hot shower and warm bed to come home to every night after hunting. Thanks for helping us with our elk hunt strategy. The maps and knowledge that you provide for your hunters is unbelievable. I hope that we can make an annual trip to the Circle K Ranch!” Steve K. , Nashville, TN.

The following is a compilation of the most frequently asked questions regarding our hunting services. We trust the answers will help you determine more readily whether or not we provide the type or hunt you are seeking.

Q. What type of weather conditions and terrain can we expect?
A. Terrain varies from large expanses of relatively flat mesa’s (Taylor, Haycamp, and Stoner) to very rough and steep mountains and canyons. Most areas are a combination of heavily timbered forest with small meadows or Aspen areas. During September, nights are cool (30-40 degrees) with generally warm days (50-65 degrees). The nights are colder in October (10-35 degrees) with days ranging 30-65 degrees. Light to moderate snow in October at high elevations. November usually brings moderate amounts of snow in the last part of the season. Nights are 0-30 degrees with days ranging 25-50 degrees. We’re talking about Colorado weather now, so don't pin us in on these estimates.

Q. Will we be hunting on private or forest service lands?
A. All hunting is on San Juan National Forest lands. Circle K Ranch is on 77 acres, surrounded by forest service lands. Game MGT. Unit 71.

Q. What are your success rates for elk and/or deer?
A. Individual hunting parties have enjoyed as high as 100% success to no kill. If your group are experienced elk or deer hunters and you work hard at hunting you can expect about a 50% kill on average (guided hunts) and 34% kill average (non-guided). The first rifle (draw) hunt 46%.

Q. What is the best time or season to hunt elk and/or deer?
A. Deer archery hunters, anytime during the season. Elk archers during the rut (generally mid to late September). Rifle deer hunters during the October seasons. For elk rifle hunters the first rifle (draw) hunt is the premier hunt.

Q. How many hunters do you book per hunt?
A. Drop camps average 4 hunters per camp. Number of hunters hunting from the lodge averages about 20 for the first and about 30 for the second rifle hunts, 15 for the third season. Archery and muzzleloader hunts average 10 to 20 with the highest number during the combined muzzleloader archery week.

Q. Are there facilities at the ranch for our wives and what is the cost?
A. Yes, wives are welcome, and we provide you with private lodging. Non-hunting spouses are at one-half the “Economy Rate”.

Q. Where is the nearest airport and will you pick us up there?
A. Cortez airport is 36 miles from the ranch. We will provide transportation to the Ranch for those flying in. Telluride airport (40 mi.) is another option.

Q. Are 4x4 vehicles required to get to good hunting areas?
A. They certainly have an advantage in wet or snow conditions, however, two wheel drive trucks or front wheel drive vehicles with chains are adequate. Most years you will not need the chains.

Q. Should we rent horses, or is most hunting done by foot or vehicle?
A. About half our hunters use horses. If you’re not in top physical condition they can be a lifesaver. Six main trails leave from or close by the Ranch. It’s basically a personal choice or preference. A horse will enable you to cover more ground with less effort.

Q. Where can we buy our licenses?
A. Licenses may be purchased at the Ranch (all archery elk and all antlered elk except for the first rifle season). Muzzleloader, 1st Rifle Elk, Cow Elk, and all deer tags are by drawing only thru the Colorado D.O.W.

Q. Do you have facilities for keeping the meat?
A. Commercial processing of your game is available in Cortez, 36 miles from the Ranch. We have a large walk-in cooler and work area if you prefer to process the game yourself. A freezer is also available at the ranch.

Q. Do you provide a pack-in service where we provide all camp equipment?
A. Yes, we will pack you and your equipment into a location of your choice. The Fee is for half of our drop camp fees & includes game pack.

Q. Is there any phone service at the Ranch?
A. Yes, the Ranch phone number is 970-562-3808. There is also a public phone in the lodge to call home. Spouses should use 970-562-3870.

Q. What do we need to bring in way of clothing, personal gear, and bedroll?
A. Dress for the season you will be hunting. Several changes of clothing (including gloves) are important, should you get wet. All hunters need to bring their own sleeping bag or bedroll, towels washcloths, a compass, flashlight, and container to keep matches dry are recommended. For those booking drop camps, please try to keep each mans gear down to one duffle bag, plus bedroll. A detailed list is provided when you book your hunt.

Q. Is there any good fishing close by it we happen to fill our tags early?
A. Yes, The Dolores River runs right in front of the lodge and trout lake is just 25 miles up the road, so bring your fishing gear. Rainbow trout is the main catch.

Q. Do you offer any group discounts or other discounts?
A. Yes, a 5% discount for 6 to 9 hunters, and a 10% discount for 10 or more hunters in a party. Bunkhouse lodging required for group discounts. Repeat client discount: 1 prior year - 5%, 2+ prior years - 10%. Guided hunts limited to a 5% discount. No discounts for cabin bookings.

Q. What about alcoholic beverages?
A. We don’t provide or recommend them. If you bring your own, please confine your drinking to your cabin or room.