Location: Hill Ranch is located approximately 15 miles west of Trinidad on Hwy 109. The ranch also has property to the west in Devils Park.

Acres: 63,400

CPW Maps:
Hill East map 
Hill West map 

Area Maps: USGS Quads: Valdez, Little Pine Canyon, Tercio, Torres, Culebra Peak

National Forest: None

BLM: Trinidad

Species Available: Elk, Deer

Terrain and Access: Elevations vary from 6,600 ft. at the confluence of Lorencito Creek and the Purgatorie River and rise to 9,500 ft. in the lower Hill Ranch. Elevations in the Devil Park Pasture vary from 10,500 ft. to 13,700 ft. The lower country is rough, steep canyons covered with mountain shrub and junipers. Upper elevations are heavy juniper/pinyon to Ponderosa pine and spruce/fir. Devils Park area is high elevation with heavily timbered sub-alpine spruce/fir with some meadows. Ranch roads provide adequate access to most major areas of the ranch. Roads can erode with wet weather. Some stream fords are necessary and there are many steep grades. Hunters need minimum 4-wheel drive with 4 chains. Plenty of country to walk on this ranch.

Average Success Rates: Please see Participating Ranches.

Check the Ranching for Wildlife main page for season dates.

There are no antler-point restrictions for any of the ranches. No over-the-counter licenses are offered on these properties. Ranching for Wildlife licenses are open to Colorado residents only. Licenses are only for the season and ranch on the license. For more information on season dates and application deadlines, see the Big Game Hunting Brochure.

Ranch rules from previous seasons are provided for a general perspective.  Ranch rules are negotiated annually and some rule changes may take affect this year.

HILL RANCH
Ranch Hunting Rules

1. Hill Ranch is located west of Trinidad, Colorado and consists of four tracts: Rita, Rincon, Ricardo, and Lorencito. Hunting is permitted in all parts of the four tracts, however a very few number of cow elk will be found in Ricardo during late November. Hill Ranch recommends that all cow hunters hunt the lower tracts where elk are concentrated on winter range. Maps will be provided to successful applicants. More detailed larger scale maps are available from the Ranch for an $8.00 fee.
2. Access to the ranch is allowed at three locations with a check in box at each location. Each box will consist of a list of the hunters names and spaces to mark entry and exit, morning and evening on specific dates. Hunters must check the appropriate space on the form when entering or leaving one of the three locations. Directions to gate locations will be mailed to successful applicants.
3. Ricardo tract is the most rugged and remote part of the Ranch. However, all parts of the Ranch can be dangerous because of deep snow, mud, or severe weather. Hunters are advised to be prepared with the proper equipment and clothing before entering the Ranch. Hill Ranch disclaims all responsibility for hunter safety except to provide information and assistance when requested.
4. Hunters are not allowed to walk into the property from public roads, unless they have checked in at one of the check points.
5. Campfires are permitted only if contained in a metal or rock structure.
6. Only licensed hunters and one unarmed companion are allowed access to the Ranch.
7. Pre-season scouting access is not permitted.
8. Successful applicants will be provided with lock combinations and instructions for each gate.
9. Hunting for anything other than the species and type authorized by your license is not permitted. No fishing, wood gathering, antler collecting.
10. Vehicles must stay on established roads and not travel beyond designated parking areas. Although most roads are generally open, the Ranch may close some roads for safety reasons or other reasons. Road closures must be obeyed.
11. Violation of any wildlife laws or regulations will result in the immediate revocation of hunting privileges.
12. Trespass on adjacent landowners property will not be tolerated and will result in revocation of hunting privileges on Hill Ranch.
13. Hunters are expected to be proficient with their firearms and only make clean, ethical shots. Hunters must cease hunting if they have wounded an animal until a reasonable effort has been made to find and kill the wounded animal. The hunter must notify CPW officer before following a wounded animal onto adjacent property.
14. Hunters must report their hunting results, successful or otherwise to the Ranch manager.
15. Camping is permitted in designated sites on the Lorencito and Rincon properties. Details provided to successful applicants.
16. No littering, pack out whatever you have brought in.
17. Successful hunters are asked to leave the Ranch property as soon as practical after game is retrieved from the field. This will give remaining hunters a better chance to be successful too.

General Information:

Motels located in Trinidad.

Camping permitted at designated sites on the ranch. A campground exists 18 miles west of Trinidad, and another 35 miles west of Trinidad.

Retrieval of game is responsibility of the hunter. Ranch will assist with retrieval of game as possible.