Purgatoire Ranch

Purgatoire Wildlife Ranch

Otero County, Las Animas County, Baca County

Hunting Opportunities:

Deer, Pronghorn, Turkey

Camping:

Yes

No

Guiding Services:

Yes

No

Game Retrieval Services:

Yes

No

Purgatoire Wildlife Ranch

Purgatoire Wildlife Ranch

Otero County, Las Animas County, Baca County

Purgatoire Wildlife Ranch

Hunting Opportunities:

Deer, Pronghorn, Turkey

About This Ranch

Ranch headquarters is located about 23 miles south of La Junta on Hwy 109, then west about 13.5 miles to County Road 165.4, then about 7 miles further to ranch headquarters. Ranch tracts are located along the Purgatoire​ River and Carrizo Cree​​k.

Hunters should be aware that the density of deer on the eastern plains is much lower than they might find in mountainous areas of Colorado. However, herd composition is of very good quality with a greater proportion of deer herds made up of mature bucks. Hunters should expect that locating a good quality buck may entail hunting over large geographic areas in rugged canyon country. Likewise, doe hunting, while less rigorous, will still require good effort. Due to the lower densities of deer, license numbers are conservative even on very large ranches.

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    Terrain

    The ranch is located primarily along the south side of the Purgatory River in Las Animas County and Carrizo Canyon in Las Animas and Baca County. Topography consists of mesa tops bisected by numerous steep, rough canyons. Vegetation varies depending upon site. Cottonwood, willow, tamarisk, and box elder are dominant in riparian areas. Mesa tops are mainly juniper and shortgrass prairie. Depending upon the aspect, canyon sides contain juniper, sumac, and mountain mahogany.

    Access

    Hunting areas may be accessed by ranch roads and a few county roads. Some roads are very rough and 4-wheel drive vehicles are needed for best access. Stay on established roads and trials except for game retrieval. The use of ATV is the landowner's decision. Hunters will be distributed across ranch hunt zones to assure a quality hunting experience and to distribute harvest for sound herd management. Bighorn sheep hunters should contact the ranch to make scouting arrangements prior to the season.

    Area Maps

    USGS Quads - Beaty Canyon, Box Ranch, Branson SE, Carrizo Mtn., Cherry Canyon, Cross L Ranch, Furnish Canyon East, Furnish Canyon West, Humbar Spring, Icehouse Canyon, Johnson Canyon, Lost Canyon, Miners Peak, O V Mesa, Pine Canyon, Pi​ntada Creek, Plum Canyon, Riley Canyon, Tobe

    Camping

    Camping is allowed in designated areas on the ranch in self-contained units. Fees may be charged for electrical hook up, lodging, meals and recovery of stuck or disabled vehicles. 

    Guiding Services

    Contact the ranch for more information.

    Overnight Accommodations

    The nearest motels are in La Junta or Trinidad.

    Season Dates

    Check the Hunter Information page.

    155000 acres.

    4,300 to 5,300 ft.

    136, 143, 144, 147

    Ranch headquarters is located about 23 miles south of La Junta on Hwy 109, then west about 13.5 miles to County Road 165.4, then about 7 miles further to ranch headquarters.  

    Lamar Office

    Steve Wooten
    85001 County Road 165.4​
    Kim, CO 81049
    719-384-5813 (office)
    719-928-1333 (cell)
    [email protected] 
     

    Elk Hunters

    Ranching for Wildlife (RFW)

    This property is part of the Ranching for Wildlife program. The Ranching for Wildlife program ​provides Colorado residents a unique opportunity to hunt on private ranch land normally closed to the public. Participating ranches provide public hunting recreation access to their land free of charge to those who draw licenses.

    Through this program, hunters can play ​​an important role in helping CPW and landowners manage wildlife populations on private land. In addition to providing public hunting access to successful applicants, participating landowners are required to improve habitat on their ranch for both game and non-game animals. These efforts help preserve and enhance open spaces for wildlife to live and thrive and​​ keep the hunting heritage alive for you and future generations.