Top Big Game Hunting Ranches of 2024

BIG GAME HUNTING RANCHES IN WYOMING

Antlers Ranch
Meeteetse, Wyoming | 16,532 Acres
The Antlers Ranch has approximately 40,000 controlled acres, including 16,532 deeded acres and approximately 63 miles of shared border with federal- or state-protected lands. The ranch has a diversity of topography and habitats ranging from river bottoms to irrigated pastures and timbered alpine peaks that are home to moose, elk, antelope, bighorn sheep, and white-tailed and mule deer. To propagate the best genetics in the game animals on the ranch, the current owners have strictly controlled the amount of hunting on the property. Consequently, bull elk over 380”, white-tailed deer over 170”, mule deer over 190”, and antelope surpassing the minimum score for Boone and Crockett have been harvested on the ranch. The Antlers Ranch has historically qualified for landowner tags in Wyoming’s Elk Game Management Units 62 and 63 (considered among the best units in the western U.S. for trophy elk) and the Deer GMU 116 and 118. These are non-transferable tags which only the landowner or immediate family members can use. Presently, there is a year-to-year hunting lease with a well-respected outfitter. The Antlers Ranch is a place rarely found outside of National Parks and National Forests, where the wildlife is free to move and act like they are meant to. Explore Antlers Ranch

Red Hills Ranch
Jackson Hole, Wyoming | 190 Acres
Red Hills Ranch provides big game hunting experiences seldom seen in the Western United States. One can cross the Gros Ventre River on horseback or foot with a bow or rifle in tow to begin pursuing bugling bull elk and rutting mule deer less than 200 yards from the back door. With access to national forest land that is difficult for public land hunters to reach, Red Hills Ranch provides a great advantage to hunting pressured elk that love to bed in the dark timber directly behind the ranch. In 2023, the Elk Game Management Unit 82 that borders Red Hills Ranch had an impressive 50% harvest rate. The Mule Deer GMU 155 that borders the ranch had a nearly 40% harvest rate last year. Once the pack saddles are full of quartered big game after a successful hunt, one can make the short trip back to the ranch to warm up by a wood fire and tell the stories that you will have for a lifetime. Explore Red Hills Ranch

Nieslanik Ranch
Cokesville, Wyoming | 399 Acres
The Cokeville area is known for its excellent big game hunting, namely Rocky Mountain elk and mule deer. Given its proximity to public land, those hunting from Nieslanik Ranch can enjoy a cup of warm coffee later than their fellow hunters before heading out with their pack and rifle. Located in Elk Game Management Unit 103 and Mule Deer GMU 135, the owners, family, and friends have successfully hunted both species on the BLM and national forest lands behind the property and on the ranch’s pastures. Explore Nieslanik Ranch

Bondurant Barndominium
Bondurant, Wyoming | 11 Acres
The 5,304 sqft barndominium, which sleeps more than two dozen people, makes for the ideal base camp to head into the adjacent Bridger-Teton National Forest on horseback or on foot in search of large bull elk and mule deer. Located directly outside the backdoor are Elk Game Management Unit 86 and Mule Deer GMU 153, where a mix of dark timber, meadows, and available water resources are abundant. Explore Bondurant Barndominium

BIG GAME HUNTING RANCHES IN TEXAS

Brady Creek Ranch
Concho County and McCulloch County, Texas | ±1,042.55 Acres
Brady Creek Ranch has been professionally managed for years to increase the quality of the diverse wildlife. Game feeders and water troughs located on the property provide the necessary resources for a healthy deer population. The white-tailed deer herd is up-and-coming, with standout bucks beginning to make their presence known. The ranch also has exotic axis deer, which were brought to Texas from India in 1932 for game meat. Hunting blinds are also included on the property, equipping a hunter with the ability to shoot from a concealed location. Explore Brady Creek Ranch

BIG GAME HUNTING RANCHES IN MONTANA

Centennial Ranch
Centennial Valley, Montana | 10,169.1 Acres
Centennial Ranch spans 10,169.1 total acres, comprising 3,145.2 acres of deeded land and 7,023.9 leased acres. The Centennial Valley is a pristine region of vast grasslands and wetlands nestled among the Centennial and Gravelly Mountains, making it ideal for elk, deer, and antelope. Located in Deer and Elk Unit 323, west of Yellowstone National Park, the valley is a crucial wildlife migration corridor and home to many different wildlife species. Explore Centennial Ranch

Judith Breaks Ranch
Lewistown, Montana | ±1,780 Acres
Nestled in the heart of Central Montana, the Judith Breaks Ranch stands as a captivating oasis where Sage Creek meets the famed Judith River. With an abundance of live water, the land remains fertile for big game to thrive. The ranch is located primarily in Deer and Elk Game Management Unit 426 – known for exceptional-sized mule deer and elk. The Snowy Mountains boast one of the largest elk herds in the world, which have been surveyed at over 10,000 animals. Typically, several bulls over 400” are harvested in this unit annually, and mule deer greater than 170” are commonly harvested. A small parcel is in Deer and Elk Unit 419, which is a general hunting unit for elk and deer. The ranch is also situated 2.5 miles south of the popular recreational attraction – the Beckman Wildlife Area, which encompasses 6,600 acres of land that is open to the public. Explore Judith Breaks Ranch

BIG GAME HUNTING RANCHES IN IDAHO

Twins Peaks Guest Ranch
Salmon, Idaho | 677.81 Acres
Tucked away in a private canyon, surrounded by public lands miles from the nearest neighbor, Twin Peaks Guest Ranch is an end-of-the-road hideaway in central Idaho’s picturesque Western landscape. Prepare for the upcoming hunting season on the rifle range located onsite. The range facilities include a pistol bay, skeet area, and a covered bench area for stable, long-range practice at distances up to 1,000 yards. The ranch lies within Zone 28 of Region 7 of Idaho’s Game Management Unit for elk and deer. These zones are coveted by regional sportsmen who typically experience above-average hunter success rates and the chance to harvest trophy-sized animals due to impressive genetics. Explore Twin Peaks Guest Ranch

Henry’s Fork Highlands Ranch
Ashton, Idaho | 503.5 Acres
Henry’s Fork Highlands has all of the ingredients to attract and hold big game species. The rich meadows, deep canyons, timbered-covered hills, and onsite water resources provide the feed, cover, and water that deer, elk, and black bears need daily. Both deer and elk are readily seen on the property and historically have been selectively hunted on the ranch. In addition to the deeded lands, the national forest lands adjacent to the north and east provide endless opportunities that can be conveniently accessed from the ranch. Due to the diversity of terrain and the size of the ranch, it is typical for the population of deer and elk to increase as public pressure on the National Forest increases. Located in the Island Park Zone (Elk Game Management Zone 60 of Region 1 and Deer GMU Zone 60 of Region 1), Henry’s Fork Highlands provides excellent big game hunting opportunities both onsite and on the adjacent federal lands. Explore Henry’s Fork Highlands Ranch

Cottonwood Creek Ranch
Stites, Idaho | ±1,084 Acres
Tucked away on the outskirts of Stites, Idaho, Cottonwood Creek Ranch encompasses ±1,084 deeded acres of North Central Idaho’s beauty. Big game hunting is diverse throughout the property’s varying terrain. The ranch sits in Idaho’s Game Unit 11A, which consists of 98% private land ownership and offers private hunting without pressure from surrounding public lands. The ranch has previously qualified for the Idaho Landowner Appreciation tag program for elk, white-tailed deer, and mule deer. If drawn, these tags can be utilized by the landowner, or designated to an individual prior to the season beginning. Unit 11A also offers general season tags for both elk and white-tailed deer. The unit is a Controlled Hunt Area for mule deer and must be drawn. Elk and deer bed on the canyon slopes and timbered draws and go down to the agricultural bottoms in the evening. If desired, the fields could be re-seeded to alfalfa or oats to develop wildlife food plots further. Black bears and mountain lions have also been seen in the canyon draws. Explore Cottonwood Creek Ranch

BIG GAME HUNTING RANCHES IN COLORADO

Seven Springs Ranch
Glenwood Springs, Colorado | 662 Acres
The Seven Springs Ranch is in Game Management Unit 43, known for elk, mule deer, and black bears. With BLM flanking the deeded acreage on two sides and the southern boundary leading directly into White River National Forest, the ranch benefits from public land surroundings and access. While the elk primarily inhabit the public land in GMU 43, hunting pressure often drives them to the nearby private holdings, where there is much less pressure. The combination of forested areas and lush range lands throughout the ranch creates an excellent spot for mule deer and elk. Gambel oak and other foliage fill large parts of the property, supplying a favorite food source to keep wildlife around. A mix of healthy timber and aspens provides cover. Abundant serviceberries and chokecherry berries bring bears from the surrounding area. Explore Seven Springs Ranch

Elk Creek Lot 34, Lot 63, and Membership
Meeker, Colorado | 0.5-Acre
The White River Valley’s excellent mix of topography allows the area to host an abundant and diverse amount of wildlife. The combination of seasonal climate, vegetation, and water create an ideal habitat for game to thrive. The area boasts the largest herd of Rocky Mountain elk in the world, along with a large population of mule deer. The habitat protection and stewardship undertaken by Elk Creek Ranch and its neighboring ranches have created a sanctuary for various wildlife, including elk, mule deer, moose, black bear, wild turkey, beaver, grouse, and bald eagle. The excellent big game habitat in Game Management Unit 23 offers an owner the opportunity to harvest a true trophy. Explore Elk Creek Ranch Lot 34, Explore Elk Creek Ranch Lot 63, Explore Elk Creek Ranch Membership

BIG GAME HUNTING RANCHES IN OREGON

R&C Ranch
Fossil, Oregon | 5,403 Acres
The R&C Ranch is home to healthy populations of mule deer, as well as Rocky Mountain elk, pronghorn antelope, bighorn sheep, and barbary sheep. The area is known for its heavy-horned mule deer bucks. The resident elk herd is estimated at 600 head and moves between multiple private ranches in the area. The elk hunting season is one of the longest in the state at five weeks and is entirely located in the Biggs Big Game Unit. While landowner preference (LOP) tags are available (five elk and five deer tags), because there is so little public ground in this unit, over-the-counter tags are also plentiful. Pronghorn antelope tags are also available in subunits of the Biggs Unit; however, getting a tag outside the LOP system can take many years. Explore R&C Ranch

Seven Springs Ranch on Butte Creek
Fossil, Oregon | 3,246 Acres
Seven Springs on Butte Creek is home to healthy Rocky Mountain elk and mule deer populations, pronghorn antelope, bighorn sheep, and the occasional barbary sheep that venture over from adjacent ranches. The area is renowned for its 320”+ class bulls and considerably sized mule deer bucks. The resident elk herd is estimated at 600 head. The elk hunting season is one of the longest in the state, at five weeks, and is entirely located in the Biggs Big Game Unit. While landowner preference (LOP) tags are available (four elk and four deer tags), over-the-counter tags are also plentiful due to the scarcity of public land in this unit. Pronghorn antelope tags are available in subunits of the Biggs Unit, though obtaining a tag outside the LOP system can take many years. The ranch offers all the essential components needed to sustain and attract big game, including springs, seeps, intermittent streams, small ponds, and wallows. Explore Seven Springs Ranch on Butte Creek

BIG GAME HUNTING RANCH IN GEORGIA

Lutheranch
Tallapoosa, Georgia | ±200 Acres
Located within an hour of Atlanta, Lutheranch is equipped with all the landscape features one looks for in a white-tailed deer hunting property. Lutheranch has potential food plot fields that could be planted with alfalfa, chicory, clover, or your favorite crop for attracting deer. The property also includes hardwoods, which are necessary for bedding and cover. Mann Creek flows entire southern boundary of the property, completing the three essential factors of a deer hunting property: food, cover, and water. Whether you’re bow hunting the woods in a t-shirt during those early season months or bundled up in a deer blind during the holiday season, Lutheranch will surely provide opportunities. Explore Lutheranch

CCOMING SOON: BIG GAME HUNTING RANCHES IN SOUTH DAKOTA AND MONTANA

Lake Sharpe Ranch
Kennebec, South Dakota | 2,667 Acres
Lake Sharpe Ranch offers a mixture of rolling hills, mild cedar-covered breaks to riverfront irrigated farmland. The ranch supports an array of wildlife, including trophy mule and white-tailed deer. There are 450 acres under pivot for corn, soybeans, milo, and hay barley, while the remaining acreage is comprised of grasslands. Two artesian wells, numerous reservoirs, springs, and the lake itself offer an abundance of water resources to compliment the beautiful topography and abundant wildlife resources. Explore Lake Sharpe Ranch

Yellowstone Wildlife Refuge
Pompey’s Pillar, Montana | 2,958 Acres
The Yellowstone Wildlife Refuge is a haven of natural beauty and ecological diversity. The land stretches from the lush cottonwood bottoms along the Yellowstone River to the rolling hills covered in ponderosa pines, creating a wide array of habitats that support trophy elk, white-tailed deer, and mule deer. Elk in this area are known for their trophy class with some bulls exceeding 400 inches; white-tailed deer can consistently be found in the 145”-165” range. Explore Yellowstone Wildlife Refuge