Do I Need A Hunting License To Hunt On Private Land?

Any hunting that takes place in Colorado needs to be done with a proper license, on either public or private hunting land. You need to submit an application for your hunting license that includes information on the land you want to hunt on — however, some difficulties may arise at this part, especially if you’re not as educated as a seasoned hunter.

Your application for a hunting license needs to include the animal you will be hunting, the land unit you will be hunting on, payment for all fees involved, and express permission from the landowner if you’re hunting on private land.

Getting Permission To Hunt On Private Land

Permission for hunting on private lands doesn’t always come easily. While some owners will open their property up, it often comes with high fees and expensive payments required in order to get access granted. While private hunting is often considered a much more enjoyable experience, it can be a very costly option.

If you’re interested in finding private hunting land in Colorado to get a taste of something different when it comes to the sport, consider visiting Bar Star Ranch! With over 7,500 acres of private land used for hunting, you can get a brand-new experience that is even better than your public hunting trips.

With limited tags available for Elk, Antelope, and Deer, be sure to reserve your spot early and contact us to get the best available deals and bundles. Our hunters enjoy a variety of terrain types, challenges, and access to animals that fit many skill levels!

Private VS Public Land Hunting

Without considering some of the complications that come with getting permission granted to hunt on private land, there is a lot to be said about this option! It’s a bit more expensive, due to any special requests or requirements the landowners may have in order to grant permission for use, but if you can navigate these conditions, a whole new world is opened up to you.

Private land usually offers better choice animals, less competition, increased privacy, improved experiences when it comes to the actual land you’re exploring, and possibly more advantages. Usually these areas are well-kept and have a more genuine wilderness feel to it, with the lack of several hunters crowding up the foliage each season.

However, public hunting is considered the most popular option for Colorado hunters. You don’t need any special permission, so no extra fees, and you can find a lot more helpful information on public land for hunting than you can with private land. Bar Star Ranch’s Hunting Grounds provides an easy option for those wanting to experience a good middle ground between the two options!

Of the many fun activities you can find in Colorado, fishing is one of the most popular. From family events to solitary enjoyment, it’s a versatile hobby that many find relaxing and exciting. Colorado especially is known for it’s great fishing locations, with amazing lakes and ponds to cast your line into and get a successful bite. In fact, it’s a popular tourist activity, too!

Fun Facts About Fishing In Colorado

Due to the ideal location for fishing and the great amounts of aquatic life in the fishing lakes and ponds, there is a good deal of competition to be had out in Colorado with a tackle box and line. In public streams, rivers, lakes, and ponds, you may be hard-pressed to find a good bite if many other fishmen and casual fans have come to the same spot. Most public fishing holes aren’t replenished frequently either, so it may take some time to hunt out the best spot for you.

There are over 35 native species of fish that can be caught in Colorado waters. April 1 through March 31, you can register for a valid, active fishing license to start your journey to catch all the fish in Colorado waters.

The biggest question most fisherman face is this; where to go for the best bite?

First, decide if you’re planning to tackle private or public fishing spots.

Do I Need A Fishing License At Private Lakes?

Though you do need a license to cast your line anywhere in Colorado, sometimes special permission from the fishing lake owner’s will do the trick. It’s important to make sure all of your licensing information is up to date, and you’ve gotten express permission from private landowners to be fishing in their waters.

Failing to ensure you have a proper license and/or express permission from the water’s landowners may result in a fine (usually $50 for a standard violation of the fishing law) and an inability to get a fishing license for a period of time.

Private VS Public Fishing

For the most part, private fishing offers many advantages to avid fans of the sport. If you’re interested in a Private Fishing Lake in Colorado, consider our great Flying Fish Lake at the Bar Star Ranch. There are many benefits that fishermen find when they choose a private location for their destination, be it competitive or for leisure.

There is much less competition for a bite with private streams and rivers and lakes. Instead, the fish are aggressive, frequently replenished, and left undisturbed for the most part until your bait comes along. Unlike public locations, where the pickings can be slim and you may sit for hours waiting for a bite while the fish are distracted by other lines and fishermen.

The intentional stocking efforts that are put into private lakes, including ours, means you have a higher chance of catching bigger or rare fish. Different species or colorings may be found more easily in private waters over public waters.

Last weekend, Bar Star Ranch had the honor of hosting Project Healing Waters at the Lake.  Project Healing Waters is a national nonprofit that is “dedicated to the physical and emotional rehabilitation of disabled active military service personnel and disabled veterans through fly fishing and associated activities including education and outings.”

We felt very privilege to have our Country’s finest wrangle some trout and enjoy the beauty of South Park.  A small thank you for an immeasurable service.

If you would like more information on this amazing program please visit their website at https://www.projecthealingwaters.org.

South Dakota Angus herd recognized with a Century Award during the National Angus Convention.

by Jena McRell

The Angus breed is built on generations of individuals and families who’ve committed their livelihoods to raising Angus cattle. Through years of adversity and opportunity, they adapted their businesses and have grown into the next generation.

The organization presented four Century Awards during its Awards Recognition Breakfast Nov. 5, hosted as part of the 2015 Angus Means Business National Convention & Trade Show in Overland Park, Kansas.

Hugh Ingalls of Ingalls Centennial Angus near Faith, S.D., accepted the award on behalf of his family, which began raising Angus cattle nearly 120 years ago.

Ingalls Centennial Angus

It was Oct. 5, 1895, when James Ingalls purchased the Angus bull Ermine Prince, registration number 19975 on a handwritten pedigree, and established one of the first Angus herds in South Dakota. That day marked the beginning of a 120-year family history with Angus genetics, spanning seven generations.

In 1908, Albert Ingalls, James’ son, moved the family and Angus herd from Humboldt, S.D., to Meade County on the western side of the state. Ingalls Angus persevered through Mother Nature’s swings in the harsh climate. Forty years later, Albert’s son, Lawrence Ingalls, transferred a registered-Angus heifer to the family’s fourth generation, Hugh Ingalls.

Twelve-year-old Hugh remembers leading Bessie I3 into the ring at the Western Junior Livestock Show in Rapid City, S.D. — the first Angus ever shown at the competition.

Through the years, Hugh was greatly involved in the Angus breed on a state, regional and national level through the American Angus Association. Year after year, with his wife, Eleanor, and brother, Dale, Hugh continued to perfect the herd’s genetics. In 1956, the family started using production records in their drive for quality.

In 1983, Ingalls Angus was recognized with the American Angus Association’s Centennial Angus Herd Award. The family’s dedication to the Angus breed has continued to flourish as Hugh and Eleanor raised their family, extended family and registered-Angus cattle on the prairies of western South Dakota.

More than 80 years after Albert Ingalls moved his herd from eastern South Dakota to the western part of the state, the herd moved west once again.

Hugh’s son, Dan Ingalls, moved to Wyoming with his young family in 1990 and established a branch of the herd named Ingalls Angus. They established their new ranching operations in the Jackson Hole and Riverton areas, and now in the South Big Horn Mountains, northwest of Casper. Dan’s six sons are all involved in their own cattle operations today in several locations in Wyoming, Colorado and North Dakota.

At 86 years old, Hugh still manages his own 500-head cattle operation, Ingalls Centennial Angus, which ranks among the state’s largest registered-Angus herds.

Editor’s Note: This article is provided as a news release and can be redistributed. For more information contact Jena McRell, digital editor, at 816-383-5100. Photos available upon request via prphotos@angus.org.

In order to preserve both this fishery and the growth of our trophy trout, we would like to remind you to take time to work the fish back into the water before releasing them. Warmer water temperatures coupled with an epic battle on the end of your line exhausts these fish. Please make sure to wet your hands before handling the fish and take time to hold them by the tail, working them back and forth in the water, until they take off under their own power. Depending on how tired the fish is, this process can take a couple minutes. I know that I speak for all of us when I say that we would like to be catching these fish again next year when they start to top 30″!

I look forward to seeing you on the water!

Your Resident Biologist and Fish Nerd:
Peter Stitcher

Hunting in the South Park Valley during archery and muzzle load season this year was considered to be slower than past years likely due to record breaking warm temperatures. Even though it was warm, Tarryall Outfitters successfully harvested two spike elk and two buck mule deer. Late in the archery season our guides noticed more elk movement in the area and buck mule deer numbers remain high. Looking for cooler weather to push elk deeper into the valley for rifle season. First and third season hunts still available!