Just got back from the northwest corner of my home state. I'd committed to go months ago and was having 2nd thoughts about not doing it so soon after my recent Minnesota trip. But..I went anyway. Nice break from all the Covid fear mongering and the political horror show we're enduring these days. I used it for reflection and recovery from all the recent changes in my little hunter/gatherer world. Hunting is truly a wonderful way for me to put things in perspective. Since our family church is still partially in lock-down, I guess this truly is my cathedral now.



Almost up to the Wyoming border. Very hazy from all the forest fires here still.




A ranching for wildlife either sex deer tag on the 4Mile ranch, this is along county road 40.



In the dark timber section of the ranch, on county road 38.

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The weapon of choice this year. I've been working with this rifle a lot this spring and summer (AR-10 in .308) and wanted to get to know it better. In retrospect, I'd have rather carried almost anything else. Not pretty, not fun to carry, clearly not-traditional (very out-of-character for me), but...good lessons all around. I found myself coveting my buddy's Model 70 featherweight in .270.



Very warm and dry this year. Hunted in a t-shirt and tennis shoe-like boots most afternoons. Was looking for big mule-deer bucks and managed a good look or two. Didn't fill my tag, but it's still good in December here as well. Hopefully less-crowded and much cooler by then.



Lunch break down by the local stream in this hot and mostly dry country. Back to reality today....

Lloyd,

How was the RFW experience? Did the ranch treat you like a paying customer?

Ken

Thank you for sharing
YES, is pleasant to spend time outback

Mike

Lloyd,
Looks like it was worth the trip.

I also have a AR-10-like rifle. Not really sure why I bought it, but it sets in the safe, scoped really big, and unfired. I don't even have .308 ammo.

KDGJ: The ranching for wildlife program adds a newer wrinkle into the public lands hunting option here in Colorado. You're never treated like "paying" clients in that you're seldom catered-too. But...you are allowed to tromp through some really decent privately-held real-estate that would otherwise be locked away. Public lands all over the West are being loved to death by hordes of folks from the ever-growing cities, looking for a respite from the usual city problems. With the crowds come the downside (4-wheelers and motorcycles tearing everything up, trash everywhere, crowded campgrounds, etc.). The more-famous rivers are largely fished-out (at-least compared to what they were say... 25-years ago) and the hunt-able big game stuff has been significantly degraded as well from over-use. The RFW lands have been largely spared from all that and remind me of "the good old days" in that they still seem slightly "wild". Since I primarily hunt to recharge batteries drained by "modern" life, the wildness is what I'm seeking (along with some meat for the freezer). For the most part, the RFW ranches are well-managed, with every natural resource being considered as part of the overall value of the place. Nothing is allowed to be further degraded or destroyed and you get to play there for "free". Not a bad deal in my mind.

Chuck H: Yeah....black guns aren't usually my cup'o tea, but my crystal ball isn't working very well anymore and I'd rather have it and not need it than the opposite. Making it accurate and dependable was a pleasant distraction this spring and summer from all of the "mostly-peaceful" demonstrations in our fair cities. Match-grade ammo is also fun to work-up and then load in bulk. I'll likely acquire a nice light bolt gun in .308 to burn up some of it as well.

Thanks Lloyd. I'm putting in RFW for deer next year. I'm trying to figure out where I want to go.

Ken

Ken: Lots of good options for deer I would think. 4Mile is a sure doe with maybe a good chance of a decent buck IF (big if) you're willing to get out there a bit. Walking kills more game than anything else. If you're up for a more physical hunt, you'll have a much better chance of success. Any RFW option in the NW corner of Colorado (near Craig) should provide that opportunity.