Property Description

Welcome to Willis River Ranch, a 614± acre paradise for outdoorsmen and ranchers in Northwest Colorado. This property offers unparalleled hunting and fishing with 2.5 miles of private access to the White River. The diverse landscape, including agricultural fields, sagebrush, and riparian river bottoms, supports abundant and trophy caliber wildlife like Elk, Mule Deer, Pronghorn, and Turkey.  Located in Game Units 10 and 21, the ranch offers unique license opportunities, including landowner vouchers and Over-The-Counter (OTC) tags. A 6,240 sq. ft. heated shop, a historic homestead ready for renovation, irrigated fields, and valuable senior water rights enhance the property’s appeal and value.

Attracted by the abundant water and lush irrigated fields, an Elk herd of over 100 arrives to the ranch in June and remains until December.  More Elk will move onto the property during the rut in September, including several trophy caliber bulls, making for some intense rutting behavior.  The Elk feed in the open agriculture fields during the mornings and evenings and take refuge in the thick timber and brush along the river during the day. An area on the South side of the river known as the “Elk Hotel” is where many of the herd bed down protected by the think canopy and dense timber.  This area offers ideal archery hunting in Unit 21 (OTC licenses), and frequent sightings of trophy caliber bulls from Unit 10.

The Mule Deer on this ranch boast impressive genetics consistently every year, and trophy size bucks thrive on the property thanks to high quality habitat sustained by the river and agricultural fields. With limited past hunting, the Mule Deer population is healthy and mature with an extensive age class. Low draw odds and Landowner Preference Program eligibility make licenses attainable each year. Archery season is highly effective amongst the thick timber flanked by agricultural fields, much like a midwestern property. Rifle season success will be had in the thick sagebrush fields, or on top of the bluffs overlooking the ranch’s diverse habitats, as the Mule Deer rut intensifies.

Hunt, fish, raft, and/or continue the ranch's successful farming and ranching practices, with lush, irrigated alfalfa and hay fields and excellent grazing opportunities, with an unlimited and maintenance free water source. Willis River Ranch isn't just a property—it's a lifestyle where the wild meets the serene. Don't miss your chance to own this outdoor paradise.

Property Attributes

• 614 +/- Deeded Acres
• 2.8 +/- miles of White River Frontage (both sides)
• 14.25 c.f.s. Water Rights
• Alfalfa and Hay Agriculture Fields
• Trophy Elk and Mule Deer Hunting
• Landowner Preference Program voucher and OTC tags
• Black Bear, Pronghorn, Turkey and Waterfowl
• 6,240 sf Oversized Shop
• Historic Homestead
• Private River Access
• ATV Trails
• Ample Big Game habitat
• World Class Views
• Year-Round Access

HUNTING

The river bottom habitat provides lots of feed and water that attracts large numbers of Elk, Mule Deer and Turkeys.  The property resides in Unit 21 and 10, both trophy units holding bigger Bulls and Bucks.  Because of the consistent feed and water, Big Game is present on the property for most of the year including through archery and rifle seasons.  The property offers a variety of tag options; it qualifies for the Landowner Preference Program for both Elk and Mule Deer (depending on the Unit), and has OTC Elk tags, and low preference point Mule Deer tags available as well.

GMU: 21 & 10

• Big Game Species: Elk, Mule Deer, Antelope Black Bear, Mountain Lion
• Small Game Species: Turkey, Coyote, Grouse, Pheasant, Rabbit, Bobcat, Squirrel, etc.
• Elk- Unit 10 & Unit 21

  • Qualifies for Landowner Preference Program (Unit 10)- Property is eligible to recieve 1 Elk voucher
  • 5-month Private-Land-Only Cow Rifle Season (Unit 10)
  • Over-the-Counter Licenses - Archery and 2^nd/3^rd Rifle Seasons (Unit 21)
  • Property has been issued depredation Cow Elk tags in the past.
  • Elk Seasons

    • Bull Elk

      • Unit 21

        • Archery; Sep 2-Sep 30 (either sex)
        • Muzzleloader; Sep 14-Sep 22
        • 1st Rifle; Oct 12-Oct 16
        • 2nd Rifle; Oct 26-Nov 3
        • 3rd Rifle; Nov 9-Nov 15
        • 4th Rifle; Nov 20-Nov 24

      • Unit 10

        • Archery; Sep 2-Sep 30
        • Muzzleloader; Sep 14-Sep 22
        • Early Rifle; Oct 1-Oct 11

    • Cow Elk

      • Unit 21

        • 1st Rifle; Oct 12-Oct 16
        • 2nd Rifle; Oct 26-Nov 3
        • 3rd Rifle; Nov 9-Nov 15
        • 4th Rifle; Nov 20-Nov 24

      • Unit 10

        • 5-Month Private Land Only Rifle; Aug 15-Jan 15
        • 1st Rifle; Oct 12-Oct 16
        • 2nd Rifle; Oct 26-Nov 3
        • 3rd Rifle; Nov 9-Nov 15
        • 4th Rifle; Nov 20-Nov 24
        • Late Rifle; Dec 1-Dec 31

• Mule Deer- Unit 10 & 21

  • Qualifies for Landowner Preference Program - Property is Eligible to recieve 2 Deer vouchers (1-Unit 21, 1-10)
  • Property has annually received 1 Buck Mule Deer voucher in the past (Unit 21).
  • Mule Deer Seasons

    • Buck Deer

      • Unit 21

        • Archery; Sep 2-Sep 30
        • Muzzleloader; Sep 14-Sep 22
        • 2nd Rifle; Oct 26-Nov 3
        • 3rd Rifle; Nov 9-Nov 15

      • Unit 10

        • Archery; Sep 2-Sep 30
        • Muzzleloader; Sep 14-Sep 22
        • 2nd Rifle; Oct 26-Nov 3

• Antelope- Unit 10

  • 2 Buck rifle tags per hunter/year [1 Private-Land-Only (List B) & 1 Unit Wide (List A)]
  • Antelope Seasons

    • Unit 10

      • Rifle; Oct 5-Oct 13
      • Private Land Only Rifle; Sep 21-Oct 6

• Turkey (spring and fall)- OTC - Unit 10
• Bear – OTC Rifle Season - Unit 21
• Exclusive access to 1,000's acres of BLM Lands

FISHING

• Fishing for Brown Trout, Small Mouth Bass, Northern Pike and Sunfish
• The Brown Trout density is low, but the fish are larger size overall, including some trophy class fish.
• Exclusive shore access along property (boats may float the river without touching the bottom.  (*Contact agent for more water access information)

LAND

• 2.8 +/- Miles of White River
• Agriculture Fields – Alfalfa & Hay Mix
• Dense Cottonwood & Willow River Bottoms
• Expansive Sage Brush Flats and hillsides
• Many Game Trails
• 5,100’ –5,300’ elevation on property

AREA RECREATION

• Year-round recreational activities
• Hunting, Fishing, Camping, ATVing, Four Wheeling, Skiing all nearby
• Rio Blanco County consists of over 1.7 million acres of Public Lands
• National Forest, BLM, State Wildlife Areas, Rivers, Lakes, all nearby

WATER

• Live Water – White River
• 14.25 c.f.s. Water Rights
• Permitted Well
• City Water available

POWER

• On-Grid Electricity
• Delivered propane to 1,000 gallon tank

ACCESS

• Year round access
• 2 miles from town of Rangely, CO
• Maintained Roads

LIFESTYLE

• Rio Blanco County offers a lifestyle that celebrates nature, community, and western heritage through the following:

• Outdoor Recreation
• Ranching & Agriculture
• Tight-Knit Community
• Small Town Charm
• Strong Western Heritage
• Quiet & Peaceful

LOCATION

• Rangely, CO: 2.5 miles (small town amenities and attractions)

• Regional Airport
• Hospital
• Restaurants
• Convenience stores
• Outdoor Recreation
• Four Wheeling Parks

• Meeker, CO: 57 miles (small town amenities and attractions)

• Regional Airport
• Hospital
• Golf Course

• Rifle, CO: 93 miles (small town amenities and attractions)

• Regional Airport
• Golf Courses

• Steamboat Springs, CO: 135 miles (luxury ski resort town)

• Ski Resort
• Dinning/Shopping
• Golf Courses
• Hospital
• Regional Airport

• Grand Junction, CO: 90 miles (big city amenities and attractions)

• Airport
• Golf Courses
• Shopping/Dinning

• Denver, CO: 270 miles (big city amenities and attractions)

• International Airport