Ranching For Wildlife

Preference Points

RFW hunts are very popular with hunters, so drawing male or either sex licenses can often require five or more points. To determine the estimated points needed to draw a particular license, go to the species statistics page you are interested in (bighorn sheep, deer, elk, moose, pronghorn or turkey) and click on the "Drawn Out At" report tab. You will need to know the hunt code you are interested in, which can be found in the special section for Ranching for Wildlife under each species in the Colorado Parks and Wildlife's Big Game Brochure​.

A high number of preference points needed to draw a license does not necessarily mean that the ranch has large numbers of big bucks or bulls. Instead, preference points may correspond to the ranch’s reputation for providing hunters with a high-quality hunting experience.  

Hunter Responsibilities

Public hunting on these ranches is a privilege and hunters need to present a favorable impression of sportspeople. Successful applicants will receive instructions to access a secure web page from which they will obtain their ranch rules. Because rules vary at each ranch, hunters must read the rules carefully in order to fully understand and adhere to them. Before applying, review the prior year’s ranch rules, which can be found on each individual ranch's page. 

CPW officers have the authority to seize licenses and expel hunters not complying with ranch rules. In addition, aggravated violations of ranch rules can result in the violator losing their privilege to apply for or participate in any other RFW season forever. 

CPW will contact deer, elk, and pronghorn hunters after the season ends. Hunters will be asked about the level of access, service from the ranch, perceptions about crowding with other hunters, and their overall level of satisfaction with their RFW hunt. The results of these surveys are part of an evaluation to help determine if a ranch will be allowed to continue in the RFW program. ​

Chronic Wasting Disease Testing

CPW requires mandatory submission of chronic wasting disease (CWD) test samples from animals harvested for specific hunt codes. Check your hunt codes closely to see if mandatory testing is required. The hunt codes selected for mandatory testing are shaded green in the Big Game Brochure​. There will be no charge for mandatory testing.

Ranch Conditions and Services

Ranches and ranch personnel are expected to treat hunters courteously​ and as welcome hunting guests. As such, CPW expects ranches to provide you with advice on hunting areas with reasonable chance at harvesting animals, as well as sound advice on hunting strategies that will improve your chances of harvest. Most hunters heeding ranch advice have higher success for the kind of animal they seek. However, as with any hunt, this is just advice and not a guarantee.

By agreement of CPW managers, the ranches may impose certain conditions to distribute hunters and harvest across the ranch for hunt quality and harvest management reasons. Ranches may also require the use of guides – but when required, the guide service is provided free of charge and tipping guides for free services is strictly forbidden. Some ranches may offer additional optional services​​ such as packing, guiding, or lodging, and may charge for these optional services. However, hunters should not expect these services.

Weather conditions can influence access and game movements beyond the control of CPW or the ranch. However, if a ranch or certain ranch personnel fail to welcome you courteously or professionally or if ranch staff actions create problems with your hunt, you should contact your local Parks and Wildlife Office immediately. 

Extra Cow Vouchers (Special Population Management Licenses)

Note: Due to the severe winter of 2022-2023, additional vouchers on RFW ranches in the severe winter zone will not be issued for the next several seasons. 

Some ranches in the RFW program currently reside within management areas that are over elk population objective. To help with this situation, those ranches may offer additional cow vouchers to their already licensed elk hunters (to be purchased by the hunter) called "special population management licenses". Biologists have found that simply adding more license, while it does create opportunity for more hunters, does not always increase harvest. Sometimes it adds too many people to the landscape and actually pushes more animals away, ultimately decreasing harvest. These special population management licenses allow for increased harvest without creating crowding issues, which in many cases, is a primary benefit of hunting a RFW license. 

Program Regulations

Check Commission regulations dealing with the RFW program in Chapter 2, Article I, #210, and Chapter 3, Article II, #323.5​. These regulations provide the legal foundation for the RFW program, but the practical aspects of the program are governed by the operating guidelines which you can view at Operating Guidelines​.