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Small Game Hunting Near Monument, Colorado

Fairlane66
I recently moved to Monument, Colorado, just north of Colorado Springs, and arrived too late to qualify as a resident hunter for big game. Therefore, most of my hunting this year will be for small game--upland birds and rabbits--migratory birds, and varmints. I grew up back East where all it took to get hunting privileges was a polite knock on a farmer's door. Out here, "No Trespassing" signs seem to be the norm and my initial inquiries have met with some strong anti-gun sentiment. I'm looking for a place to hunt small game fairly close to home and don't want to get nailed for accidently treading on private property. Can anyone suggest a place (public or private) near Monument to hunt small game, varmints, and migratory birds? I'd greatly appreciate any advice. Thanks.
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13 comments

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  • pickenup
    Too many years of people NOT asking to hunt on private land, then causing damage, leaving gates open, etc., has led us to this. Finding areas to hunt in is getting harder and harder.

    You might try the Colorado Division of Wildlife, or possibly the BLM office to get some tips. Maybe the people in a gun shop, or club, in your area could help.

    Good luck.
    Welcome to the forum, and to Colorado.
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  • elkoholic
    I feel your pain. That is part of the reason we moved back to the West Slope of CO. People are much more friendly and public land is everywhere.
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  • aramisvi
    I can't find anyone to even play a game of spades around here, let alone a place to hunt rabbits. i even have them in my back yard, but i live well within range of the interstate.....
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  • spanielsells
    Turkey Track Ranch just outside of Fountain (south and east of Colorado Springs) is going to be your closest venue. It is fairly large (about 8000 acres) and wide, wide open. No water to speak of, no trees, etc. Just lots and lots of sage brush and some rolling hills.

    Might be good for rabbit, will suck for birds.

    Keep in mind that Colorado's pheasant population has never been good, so don't count on that. There's some public land in Hudson (about 90 miles east of Denver on I70). Ducks and geese, the closest area is going to be up in Hartsel (South Park). Dove will be down in Pueblo at St. Charles (16,000 acres) or there are a few places near Canon City.

    I'm up in Highlands Ranch, I'm always on the lookout.
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  • Colonel Plink
    My heart goes out to those of you who have to live in the populated parts of Colorado. It's so much perttier and friendlier out here in the sticks. Here in God's country, dove season opening sounded like the fall of a banana republic. From the center of town, one could hear shotguns all morning and evening. Prairie dog and coyote hunting is extremely good and I've never seen more rabbits. Pheasants are even making a very strong comeback. But that's here in Northeast Colorado. It must be rough in the city.[8D]
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  • Idahobound
    I have shot on hunted on the Highlands Ranch Before but you need to know the right people.
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  • spanielsells
    quote:Originally posted by big800
    I have shot on hunted on the Highlands Ranch Before but you need to know the right people.
    You can't do it anymore... doesn't matter who you know. Hunting in city limits is illegal.
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  • Idahobound
    quote:Originally posted by spanielsells
    quote:Originally posted by big800
    I have shot on hunted on the Highlands Ranch Before but you need to know the right people.
    You can't do it anymore... doesn't matter who you know. Hunting in city limits is illegal.


    There is still quite abit of land that is left from the Ranch that is still used has ranch land and is out of city limits. It is all south of The City, but I was elk hunting there last year.
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  • 11b6r
    You can hunt in the Pike National Forest. Head North to Sedalia, take Jarre Canyon Rd West, and look for the fire road that runs South to Devil's Head. And hunt up the Ben Lomond Gun Club- they are the state rifle association there, HQs in Colo. Sprgs, have a 500 acre range out near Kiowa, good folks, and a way to start networking for hunting places. Head out East of Falcon, and check in the farm supply and feed stores. Good luck, bro- lived in Douglas County- am now back East where deer season runs 2 months, bag limit 2 a day.
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  • Fairlane66
    Thanks, everyone, for your posts. You've given me some great leads. I was already considering Turkey Track Ranch STL, but it sure looks bleak. Anyone have any experience hunting that piece of land?

    I was also wondering if any of you knew anything about Tri-State Outfitters? I was driving west on County Line Road heading to I-25, and I noticed the land north of County Line was posted by Tri-State Outfitters. Their website says they're a big game outfitter, but that land is very close to some new housing developments. I was thinking I might be able to work an arrangement with Tri-State to hunt small game on the land closer to the more populated parts of the property. I'm not sure they'd want the intrustion or the noise, but it's a thought.

    Also, I purchased one of those books containing topographical maps of Colorado. The map depicting Monument shows several 1-square-mile patches of state land near my home. All are outside of city limits. I've driven by and none is conspicuously marked and there's farm territory surrounding each. Two have streams running through them and appear to have good cover for small game. One such area is definitely off limits to the public; it's the southern extension of Castlewood State Park east of Route 83. However, the others all seem to be open. I'm not sure what purpose they serve, but there are no "Posted" signs. Any thoughts on the legality of hunting on those pieces of property?

    I plan to knock on a few doors in the coming weeks to see if I can gain some hunting access. I'll probably look for some areas to shoot varmints this summer. In my experience, that has proven to be a good way to meet farmers, gain their confidence, and get Fall access for hunting other game. In the meantime, I'll be happy to share any promising info in this forum. Thanks.
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  • spanielsells
    quote:Originally posted by Fairlane66
    Thanks, everyone, for your posts. You've given me some great leads. I was already considering Turkey Track Ranch STL, but it sure looks bleak. Anyone have any experience hunting that piece of land?

    Hunting it, no. Checking it out in the past week, yes.

    We saw some rabbit and antelope there. Wildlife exists. We saw dove by the sunflowers on the southern west-to-east road that borders the land.
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  • Odawgp
    plink you nailed it, I was in the boulder a few weeks ago and it strikingly similar to gunnison and crested butte. gods country it is

    Now if'n we could just have a season on hippies and vagabons we'd be set.
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  • Colt Super
    I'm a hippy, vagabond, gypsy - where is it I should move ??

    Doug
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