Terrain and Access: Elevations vary from approximately 6,400 ft. to 8,200 ft. The LK Ranch lays on the west side of the Grand Hogback and rises gradually toward the south and east with Flag Creek being the major drainage. Most of the ranch is comprised of rolling hills of sagebrush and mountain shrub plant communities interspersed with scattered stands of aspen and coniferous forest at the higher elevations. Much of the ranch is deer and elk winter range or seasonal transition range.
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All public hunters are required to check in at the main LK Ranch lodge at 7503 RBC Road 13 prior to beginning a hunt. Each hunter is requested to check in and out each day at the LK Ranch lodge/check point. These checks are for safety, non-authorized hunter management, authorized hunter customer service, and for gathering harvest data. All hunters and non-hunting guests will be required to sign a release of liability form. Each hunter that draws a public hunting license for the LK Ranch RFW will receive a detailed packet with specific information about check-in and check-out procedures, dates, hours, location(s), detailed map(s) of the LK Ranch, and how hunters can obtain assistance from LK Ranch staff.
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Hunters will be assigned a hunt unit or area on the LK Ranch at check-in during each day of their public hunt. LK Ranch staff will provide detailed maps and instruction to each hunter. These assigned areas/hunt units will be available to public hunters in totality, with the following exceptions: AREAS NEAR RANCH BUILDINGS AND DWELLINGS; AND LIVESTOCK HANDLING FACILITIES are permanently closed to hunting and are designated on the LK Ranch map. Other areas may also be temporarily closed by LK Ranch staff for livestock/human safety reasons but will not comprise a significant proportion of any available hunt unit/area. Hunters will be notified of any temporary closures on the LK Ranch due to seasonal livestock concentrations or other special human safety conditions at the time of check-in.
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The number of public RFW hunters in each area/unit on the LK Ranch will be regulated to ensure fair hunting access, opportunity and high quality experiences to all public RFW hunters.
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Respect for the land is the operating norm for the LK Ranch. The owners and managers do not drive cross country (off-road) and it is expected that hunters will follow the same example. 4WD vehicles and ATV’s will be allowed on the property but will be restricted to certain roads and areas (map will be provided to hunters showing which roads and trails are open to motorized travel). Motorized/vehicular access on the LK Ranch will only be allowed on roads and trails that are designated/marked as open on the map.
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Most areas of LK Ranch will be accessible only by foot to hunters. Basically, hunters will only be able to drive motorized vehicles on certain designated roads/trails which have designated parking areas that provide ample access to each hunting unit/area on the LK Ranch. Hunters are required to hunt on foot outside of those open roads, trails and parking areas which are depicted on the LK Ranch map.
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The property will be accessible ONLY for hunters whom draw the limited public LK Ranch RFW deer/elk licenses and ONLY during designated public RFW hunting seasons. Each public RFW hunter may be accompanied by ONLY one non-weapon carrying person.
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The LK Ranch expects that all hunters will take only ethical and safe shots at legal game within reasonable ranges that are within each hunter’s capabilities/skill level, in order to minimize wounding and loss of any big game animals while hunting. The Ranch and CPW officers both expect all hunters to make a reasonable attempt to follow up on each and every shot and also at pursuing and retrieving any wounded game prior to continuing on their hunt on the LK Ranch.
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One weapon per hunter is allowed. Sighting-in is part of hunter preparation prior to going to the field. It is expected that you will have completed this task before arriving to hunt. No target shooting is allowed on the LK Ranch.
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The Ranch is a working livestock operation that has year-long activities. It is requested that hunters leave all gates and fences as found. If there are any questions about the appropriate position of gates or other facilities please contact the guide at the check point or the ranch management.
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Hunters are not allowed to bring any dogs or other pets onto the LK Ranch.
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For public safety and protection of ranch property, overnight camping is NOT allowed on the LK Ranch. However, hunters can camp on adjacent or nearby public lands if they choose to do so (refer to BLM and USFS maps for public land camping areas). Other accommodations and services are available in the nearby town of Meeker as well.
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Many services will be provided by the LK Ranch to public RFW hunters, including but not limited to the following:
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Fully-guided services at NO COST to public hunters that draw the antlered LK Ranch RFW buck deer and bull elk tags, including but not limited to: lodging at LK Ranch headquarters/lodge; 3 meals per day at LK lodge; guiding services in the field; transportation in field; field care & retrieval of game in field. Obviously, this is optional, and public hunters that draw the antlered RFW deer and elk tags are more than welcome to hunt the LK Ranch on their own without any of these free services, if that is their preference. All hunters that draw antlered licenses for the LK Ranch RFW will receive a detailed packet of information explaining the process for how they can arrange for and request these free fully guided services.
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Semi-guided services will be provided at NO COST to public hunters that draw the antlerless LK Ranch RFW deer and elk licenses, including but not limited to: guiding services and transportation in the field; field care & retrieval of game in field. Obviously, these semi-guided services are all optional, and public hunters that draw the antlerless RFW deer and elk tags are more than welcome to hunt the LK Ranch on their own without any of these free services, if that is their preference. In addition to the free, semi-guided services, public hunters that draw the antlerless RFW deer and elk licenses can also request other optional services during their hunt for a fee, including but not limited to: lodging at LK Ranch headquarters/lodge for $80/person/day; and/or 3 meals per day at LK lodge for $35/person/day. All hunters that draw antlerless licenses for the LK Ranch RFW will receive a detailed packet of information explaining the process for how they can arrange for and request any of these optional guided services.
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All firearms are to be completely unloaded (in both the magazine and chamber) and actions left open prior to entering any LK Ranch buildings or facilities.
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Be certain of your target and that you are shooting in a safe direction and within your capability. Be aware of livestock, other hunters, Ranch staff, and buildings in the background. Don't take the shot unless you are absolutely sure that it is 100% safe and ethical.
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Unless prior arrangements have been authorized by LK Ranch staff, NO access to the LK Ranch is allowed other than for the specific public RFW season dates that are shown on your hunting license.
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LK Ranch may close some roads and trails that are designated as open on the hunting map, if weather conditions pose a significant risk of road damage or human safety from motorized travel. Hunters will be notified of any unusual road closures due to extreme weather or dangerous conditions at the time of check-in.
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ATVs may be permitted off of designated roads and trails for retrieval of killed game, ONLY if approved by LK Ranch staff. If authorized to retrieve game off-road with an ATV by ranch staff, please give serious consideration to the other public RFW hunters that are still hunting in the area around you when you decide the time and manner in which you retrieve your game from the field.
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Liquor or illegal drugs are not allowed on the LK Ranch.
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Consumption of alcoholic beverages is not allowed on LK Ranch, before or during your hunt.
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Prior approval from the LK Ranch staff is required if you wish to bring with you more than one non-hunting companion.
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Please respect the beauty of our ranch and do not litter, please pack out anything that you bring in.
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Fishing of the lakes and streams on the LK Ranch is not allowed during the public RFW seasons, unless authorized by LK Ranch personnel.
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When passing through gates, please make sure to leave them as you found them. Fences and gates allow us to manage our grazing for good livestock production and for our wildlife habitat management objectives. When in doubt, please close the gate.
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The LK Ranch will require hunters to bring harvested big game animals to the lodge/check-in point for collection of age and other biological data to help with our wildlife management program (i.e., photo of all antlered animals, antler measurements, body weights or body condition indices, tooth/tissue samples, reproductive tracts, etc.).
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Hunters are required to bring any and all big game animals that are harvested on the LK Ranch to the lodge/check-point before leaving the ranch. Please bring your RFW harvest report form with you at this time. Wildlife management depends on accurate reporting of harvest. A form for reporting harvest is available at the lodge/check-point.
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Hunters must abide by all state laws and ranch rules. Violation of state laws, regulations, or LK Ranch rules may result in expulsion from the LK Ranch, and possible criminal prosecution. Hunters are expected to only hunt wildlife species on the LK Ranch for which they possess a valid RFW hunting license for and these legal expectations will be actively enforced by CPW officers.
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We expect our LK Ranch staff as well as our hunting and non-hunting guests to adhere to all federal and state wildlife laws and to our ranch rules. In addition we uphold the highest standards of fair chase and ethical hunting. With agreement of CPW Officers, those that break wildlife laws or ranch rules will lose their hunting opportunity.