Article first published as First Class Wingshooting At The Bluffs, first published on technorati N3UW7XC87265
When I was a kid I wanted to own a big ranch so I could go hunting and fishing. The only problem was, I didn't have the 2 million bucks it took and I didn't have any rich uncles in my corner. Thirty years later, I can say, some things never change.
If you can get to Denver, Colorado, you don't have to own a large cattle ranch in order to enjoy a premiere hunting opportunity. There are a few private ranches and hunting clubs that provide access to Colorado's best hunting habitat. The Bluffs Ranch, near Byers, Colorado, is first rate.
The MacLennon family started ranching along Kiowa Creek in Eastern Colorado over 50 years ago. They named their ranch the Valhalla, “the home of champions”, and soon had a top-notch herd running. later, the MacLennon's acquired a second grazing property at the confluence of the East and West Bijou Creeks near Byers, Colorado, which they call the Bluffs.
The Bluffs name comes from Large land forms which tower above the eroded creek-bed to create the "bluffs". The ranch house is located on this feature and gives guests a chance to drink in golden sunsets of the front range, including Pike’s Peak to the south and Long’s Peak to the North, while tasting fresh Colorado air. This is prime pheasant and Bob-White quail habitat which are native to Northern Colorado. The cover is grassland, dry creek bottoms, and mature cottonwoods, which is also a place where deer like to roam. All of these species are subject to harvesting from carefully managed hunts.
If you are new to hunting and don't recognize the critter when it flies up in front of you, don't be surprised. The ranch also nurtures populations of chukar and Hungarian Partridge to give the hunter a little variety. You may need to study up on your species to know just what it is you are shooting!
Since the ranch augments the bird population, bag limits are higher than they are for a normal hunt. Essentially, the hunter is harvesting a bird that would not have been on the property but for the efforts of the Bluffs. State law excuses hunting licenses for properly augmented species. That comes in handy for non-resident hunters who don’t have time to buy licenses as they pass through Denver International Airport only 40 miles away from the property. A busy executive can be in the fields hunting within an hour after landing at the airport!
The facilities at the Bluffs are nothing short of first class. There is a 6,200 square foot modern lodge that approximates a country mansion. There are six bedrooms and four baths that can accommodate twelve people in modern comfort. In addition, there is a large “club house” perfect for meetings and family fun a few steps from the lodge. The facility is perfect for a corporate meeting with teamwork and leadership in mind.
Sue MacLennan and close friend
Pheasant hunts benefit through team work as the birds are famous for running through the cover of the fields. Four hunters working together can flush the birds. Two of the hunters might stand at the top of a hill while the other two flush the birds to higher ground. When the birds reach the end of the cover they fly. Working the field from the top down rarely works as the birds will often fly before the end of the cover and may fly well out of range. A single hunter might work a field alone and miss many opportunities because he can’t flush a savvy pheasant moving into deeper cover.
The MacLennon’s encourage you to bring your bird dog along. There is access to the Valhalla Kennels. This is great horse-back riding country, as well. With up to 3,000 acres available, there is plenty for non-hunting guests to do while the hunter hones his skills.
The cost of a charter membership is listed at $35,000 with annual dues of $1,500. A lesser costly option may be available under the annual membership program which is listed at $2,500 per year with no large buy-in fee. Instead of monthly dues, members pay $100 per gun per hunt and a fee for every bird. If you get skunked you only pay the minimum hunt fee. Considering hunters frequently encounter 100 birds per hunt, you would have to be a really bad shot to go home without fresh game in your bag.
The Bluffs is located at 76201 East 96th Avenue, Byers, CO., 80103. Don’t let the address fool you, the ranch is hard to find without directions and a wrong turn can lead you onto impassable country roads. The Lodge telephone number is 303 822 8479 E-mail: thebluffssue@aol.com. Russ MacLennon will help you out if you have questions. gundog1976@aol.com.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment