Rts Hunting

RTS Hunting operates the Visintainer Ranch in Northwest Colorado, 15 miles north of Craig—an area so stacked with elk it's called "The Elk Hunting Capital of the World." The ranch spans from Black Mountain (north of Craig) to Godiva Rim (north of Maybell), ranging from 8,200 feet in aspen and oak brush down to 6,000 feet of rolling sagebrush hills. It's not just size that matters—it's location. The ranch sits directly in one of the largest elk migration corridors on the planet, home to the Bears Ears Herd of 25,000 elk (the second-largest migratory herd in the world).

Travis Flaharty, Rocky Pappas, and Sparky Pappas manage the operation. They've been in guided hunting since 1999 (operating Nine Mile Guest Ranch) and expanded into Ranching for Wildlife in 2014 when the Visintainer property became available. Colorado Outfitter's License #3198.

The landowner, Gary Visintainer of Visintainer Sheep Company, practices innovative livestock management that actually benefits wildlife. He runs minimal sheep and cattle numbers and manages forage for both livestock and game animals. This approach earned the ranch the 2013 Leopold Conservation Award in Colorado for outstanding commitment to range health and wildlife emphasis. The result: an incredibly diverse ecosystem that flourishes year-round with antelope, mule deer, elk, sage grouse, and sharptail grouse.

• •Early Season (September Rut Hunts): A rare opportunity to hunt bugling bulls with a rifle. Guides walk and call in the mornings, glass water sources in the evenings. Limited availability.

• •Late Season (Mid-October through Mid-December): This is where the action happens. Thousands of elk migrate off the high country onto the lower winter range—herds of 500-700 elk are common, sometimes exceeding 1,000 animals on the ranch at once. These are spot-and-stalk hunts conducted from pickup trucks and Polaris Rangers (no horses needed). You'll see incredible numbers of animals. Most bulls are 5x5 and small 6x6, but there's always a chance at a 300" bull.

• •Hunt length: 5 days, fully guided
• •Physical difficulty: Easy to moderate (by elk hunting standards)—mostly walking a few miles daily
• •Rifle proficiency needed: 300 yards
• •What's included: All meals, lodging in the 5,500 sq ft log lodge
• •Success rate: 95% or better on branch-antlered bulls

The entire 53,000 acres is prime mule deer habitat, managed specifically for mature bucks. You'll find both resident and migratory herds.

• •Standard Mule Deer Hunts:
• •Spot-and-stalk using pickup trucks and Polaris Rangers to glass
• •Shooter bucks average 160-170" with several 180" taken yearly
• •Occasional 190"+ buck when conditions align
• •Open terrain requires 300-yard rifle proficiency
• •Expect 1-3 miles of walking daily
• •Success rate: 98% or better

• •Management Buck Hunts (Limited Availability):
• •Mature deer with undesirable antler configurations
• •Your guide tells you which bucks qualify
• •Great option for youth hunters or filling the freezer
• •Reduced pricing
• •3 days, fully guided, meals and lodging included

• •Early Season (September): Hunt mature bucks in full velvet before the rut—they're still in bachelor herds.

The ranch sits in Units 3 and 4, historically known as Colorado's best pronghorn units. Population is stable and rising.

• •Spot-and-stalk hunts from pickup trucks and Polaris Rangers
• •Shooter bucks average 70" class with several 80" bucks taken in recent years
• •Most shots 300 yards or closer
• •Season runs mid-August through early October
• •Success rate: Nearly 100%
• •Ideal youth hunt (mid-August before school starts)
• •Hunt length: 3 days, fully guided, meals and lodging included

RTS Hunting operates under Colorado's Ranching for Wildlife program, which provides advantages unavailable on typical draw hunts:

• •Guaranteed tags: Once you book, your tag is reserved (no waiting for a draw)
• •90-day seasons: Each species gets a 90-day season with dates you can choose
• •Any legal weapon: Rifles, muzzleloaders, bows—your choice
• •Rut hunt access: Opportunity to hunt elk, deer, and antelope during peak rut periods

All hunts include meals and lodging at the ranch's 5,500 square foot log lodge with modern amenities. The lodge has big views and is convenient to hunting areas.

"9 Mile Guest Ranch and RTS Hunting have this thing figured out! This is a first class operation all the way. The guides are exceptional (we had Travis and Cory) and they worked hard to get us on quality caliber animals. The ranch and lodge at RTS Hunting in Craig were incredible! All of the meals and food were also amazing! Could not have been happier with our experience." — Justin Shelby

"I would definitely recommend Nine Mile Guest Ranch and RTS Hunting to anyone who loves the outdoors and loves to hunt. The guides (Travis & Cory) go the extra mile for their guest to fill their tags with the quality of their dreams. The lodge is beautiful and they take very good care of their guests and make them feel at home. I am planning a return already!!" — Tammy Wade

• •You must have a Colorado Hunter's Safety Card to purchase a license (required if born January 1, 1949 or later)
• •Carry your card in the field unless your license is verified with Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW)
• •If you wound an animal (draw blood), every attempt will be made to recover it. If not recovered, your hunt ends
• •No wire transfers for deposits—call directly for booking info and payment methods

• •Phone: 1-970-756-3056
• •Email: [email protected]
• •Physical Address: 11332 County Road 103, Craig, CO 81625
• •Mailing Address: 50735 Highway 13, Meeker, CO 81641