In the heart of the White River National Forest and
adjacent to the Flat Tops Wilderness

GUN HUNTING-2008

INFORMATION LETTER

  

Ripple Creek Lodge is located 39 miles east of Meeker, adjacent to the Flat Tops Wilderness of the White River National Forest in Northwest Colorado. The area, with mountains ranging above 12,000’ and covered with evergreens and aspen, is considered as Colorado’s finest hunting. A recent elk population survey by the Division of Wildlife estimated the White River Area to have twice as many elk as any other area in Colorado. In itself, Colorado has over 300,000 elk, more than any other state or country in North America. The White River Area has more elk than any other area in the world.

Pictured above is Bill King, far left, CEO of King Industries, Chattanooga, TN, with his hunting party.  All of these elk were taken before 8AM on the first day of the season, on an unguided hunt from camp using GPS and quadrangle maps.  Unguided hunts are from the lodge and camps into the USDA National Forests and BLM areas, using horses and four-wheel drive vehicles.  

Eight cabins surround the lodge and accommodate from two to six hunters. One hunting party per cabin.All of our cabins have fireplaces, bathrooms with showers and hot water. Propane is used for heating, lighting, refrigeration and cooking.  Electricity is 10 miles away, but we have a generator for occasional morning and evening use plus other necessities that may arise.

Family-style meals are in the main lodge by the fireplace. Generally, you eat breakfast at the lodge, take your lunch with you and after the days hunt, return to the lodge for dinner. Quality foods are a tradition at Ripple Creek.

AIR TRAVEL: Connections can be made with United Express to Hayden, about 45 miles from the lodge. For private planes, there are paved and lighted airports in Meeker, Craig and Steamboat Springs.

REGULATIONS TO REMEMBER: All hunters born in 1949, or later, are required to have passed a hunter safety course. Big game hunters must wear a minimum of 500 square inches of daylight flame fluorescent orange on upper body and hat. Rifles must be at least 24 caliber with 85-grain bullet or more, exerting 1000 lbs. of energy at 100 yards. Handguns are legal for deer, elk and bear. Minimum barrel is 4 inches, 24 caliber or larger and have 550 ft. lbs. energy at 50 yards. After booking, I’ll send you the official Year 2007 Division of Wildlife hunting brochure, which includes all regulations, maps and other very useful information.  Also, I'll send you a contract that you will need to sign and return.  

NON-RESIDENT LICENSES: Elk (bulls) $500, Elk (cows) $250; Deer, $290; Small Game, $40; 5 Day Fishing, $18 or $5 for one day. Residents will continue to pay $30. for elk and $20. for deer.

GAME PROCESSING: Meeker, Craig, Hayden and Steamboat Springs all have processing plants. Charges are about $90 for deer and $225 for elk. Boxing and dry icing is about $50 per box. Freighting is about $125 per 70 pound box.

HUNTING FROM THE LODGE: Includes lodging the night before the hunt begins. Depending on game migration, unguided hunting is also in the lower country west and north of the forest, between Meeker and Craig.   This makes for a longer day but you are looking for success.   There are absolutely no hidden charges!

UNGUIDED HUNTS FROM THE LODGE:  $1,200. This includes your cabin and all meals.  With the use of valuable and highly accurate coordinates, GPS is proving to be a more successful means of hunting, not to mention the savings to the hunter.  This information is accessible to the hunters, along with quadrangle maps.

ARCHERY: AUGUST 25-SEPTEMBER 23RD

MUZZLELOADER: SEPTEMBER 8-16TH

EARLY BEAR: SEPTEMBER 2-30TH

FIRST GUN SEASON: ELK ONLY-BY DRAWING, OCTOBER 11-15TH

SECOND SEASON: UNLIMITED BULL ELK, DEER BY DRAWING OCT.18-26TH

THIRD SEASON: UNLIMITED BULL ELK, DEER BY DRAWING NOV.1-7TH

FOURTH SEASON: ELK AND DEER-BY DRAWING, NOV.12-16TH

To view the Contract For Services, click below.

CONDITIONS: The booking deposit is one-third of the total hunt and the balance two weeks before the hunt begins with guaranteed check or cash only. Refunds are guaranteed thru February. Deposit refunds are made to those hunters unsuccessful on the drawings.  There are no refunds after the hunt begins.

The elk herds of the White River National Forest are by far the largest of any in Colorado and almost all hunters will see game. The White River Area has twice as many elk as any other area in Colorado, and  Colorado has more elk than any other state in America  or country in the world.   We are blessed with good hunting.  Quality bull hunting (four points or better ON ONE SIDE) was initiated in 1985, resulting in higher quality and quantity of bulls. It is not uncommon at all to see five and six point bulls.

Northwest Colorado has always been the state’s best deer hunting. We usually average better than 50% success on hunts in the lower country.  In 2007, we had 80% success in the lower country.  It has continued to be good thru last season and should be good this coming fall.  Great deer hunting at the lodge is dependent on the weather. Deer and elk occupy the same habitat in the lodge area making the hunting doubly good. The elk rut usually begins early in September and bugling is very effective from late August throughout the season.

The 2008 season will mark another great year of hunting in Northwest Colorado. It should be one of the best and most productive. We will do everything possible to make the hunt a rewarding and memorable experience for you.  I hope you will join us.

Yours for great hunting,

Ken Jett: 

Outfitter License Number 330
 

The Colorado Division of Wildlife information brochure and applications are available now.  You can reach them at 303-297-1192, or on the Internet at:  www.wildlife.state.co.us/total_licensing/

By applying over the Internet, you are much less likely to make an error that would void your application.  There is a four hunter maximum per application in 2008.  The DOW recommends that you make your applications well before the deadline.  THE DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS IS APRIL 1st.