Willis River Ranch
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 Septe...
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 propertyit'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 2nd/3rd 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)
LAND2.8 +/- 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 RECREATIONYear-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
WATERLive Water White River
14.25 c.f.s. Water Rights
Permitted Well
City Water available
POWEROn-Grid Electricity
Delivered propane to 1,000 gallon tank
ACCESSYear round access
2 miles from town of Rangely, CO
Maintained Roads
LIFESTYLERio 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
LOCATIONRangely, 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
From elevation to owner history
Search for detailed parcel information including; Elevation & Vegetation Maps, Ownership Information, Detailed Parcel Information, Crop History Map, Soil Survey Productivity Data, and more.
Research Parcel InformationDirections
Resources
Unlock the full LandWatch experience
Have an account?Sign In
Provided By
More by Jeff Masterson
