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SWA · Park County
63 Ranch State Wildlife Area, a guide for Colorado hunters
State wildlife area in Park County (1,200 acres).
Photo: John Spade (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to 63 Ranch State Wildlife Area
Entry requirements for 63 Ranch SWA
The statewide SWA rule covers 63 Ranch SWA: visitors 16+ carry a hunting license, a fishing license or the State Wildlife Area Pass. Keep trucks on open roads; pitch a tent only in places CPW allows. A blind or stand must be portable and can be placed at most 30 days before the season. Discharge of firearms or bows is banned in parking, camping and picnic areas.
Site rules from CPW:
- Open for hunting from August 15 through the end of February.
- Open for fishing year-round.
From the agency source, CPW SWA finder; checked November 5, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around 63 Ranch State Wildlife Area
63 Ranch SWA: size, game and management
Going by the CPW SWA page, 63 Ranch SWA covers 1,200 acres. Its polygon works out to 1,474 acres when measured, which differs from the published size. 224 state wildlife areas appear on this site, and by acres 63 Ranch SWA comes 91st. Within Park County there are 11 state wildlife areas on file. For CPW purposes 63 Ranch SWA belongs to Area 1 in the Northeast Region, district Fairplay. Call 303-291-7227 (CPW office, Denver) about conditions on 63 Ranch SWA. In the 2026 brochure the hunting entry reads: big game, waterfowl. Anglers will find cold-water stream fishing on the same ground. Non-hunting uses noted: wildlife viewing. The CPW page marks camping as not offered on 63 Ranch SWA.
The listed quarry: Waterfowl, Big game.
Allowed activities per CPW: Hunting, Nature Viewing.
From the agency page, 2026 Recreation Lands brochure, p. 4 (Colorado Parks and Wildlife); retrieved 2026-11-04, checked November 5, 2026.
Open seasons by unit on 63 Ranch SWA
In all, 34 public-land season rows apply in these GMUs. OTC options in these units: black bear and wild turkey. Private-land-only and ranch rows (2) are not shown. Note: spring turkey shows 2026 dates until CPW prints 2027.
| Game | Method | Sex | Sale | Opens | Closes | GMUs here |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elk | Archery | either sex | Limited draw | Sep 2, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 | 50 |
| Elk | Muzzleloader | bull | Limited draw | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | 50 |
| Elk | Muzzleloader | cow | Limited draw | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | 50 |
| Elk | Rifle | bull | Limited draw | Oct 14, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | 50 |
| Elk | Rifle | bull | Limited draw | Oct 24, 2026 | Nov 1, 2026 | 50 |
| Elk | Rifle | cow | Limited draw | Oct 24, 2026 | Nov 1, 2026 | 50 |
| Elk | Rifle | bull | Limited draw | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 15, 2026 | 50 |
| Elk | Rifle | cow | Limited draw | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 15, 2026 | 50 |
| Elk | Rifle | bull | Limited draw | Nov 18, 2026 | Nov 22, 2026 | 50 |
| Elk | Rifle | cow | Limited draw | Nov 18, 2026 | Nov 22, 2026 | 50 |
| Elk | Rifle | cow | Limited, late | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | 50 |
| Deer | Archery | either sex | Limited draw | Sep 2, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 | 50 |
| Deer | Muzzleloader | buck | Limited draw | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | 50 |
| Deer | Rifle | buck | Limited draw | Oct 24, 2026 | Nov 1, 2026 | 50 |
| Deer | Rifle | buck | Limited draw | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 15, 2026 | 50 |
| Pronghorn | Archery | buck | Limited draw | Aug 15, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | 50 |
| Pronghorn | Archery | doe | Limited draw | Sep 1, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | 50 |
| Pronghorn | Muzzleloader | buck | Limited draw | Sep 21, 2026 | Sep 29, 2026 | 50 |
| Pronghorn | Muzzleloader | doe | Limited draw | Sep 21, 2026 | Sep 29, 2026 | 50 |
| Pronghorn | Rifle | buck | Limited draw | Oct 3, 2026 | Oct 11, 2026 | 50 |
| Pronghorn | Rifle | doe | Limited draw | Oct 3, 2026 | Oct 11, 2026 | 50 |
| Moose | Archery | cow | Limited draw | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 | 50 |
| Moose | Muzzleloader | cow | Limited draw | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | 50 |
| Moose | Season choice | bull | Limited draw | Sep 12, 2026 | Oct 14, 2026 | 50 |
| Moose | Rifle | cow | Limited draw | Oct 1, 2026 | Oct 14, 2026 | 50 |
| Black bear | Archery | either sex | Limited draw | Sep 2, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 | 50 |
| Black bear | Archery | either sex | OTC | Sep 2, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 | 50 |
| Black bear | Rifle | either sex | Limited draw | Sep 2, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 | 50 |
| Black bear | Muzzleloader | either sex | Limited draw | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | 50 |
| Black bear | Muzzleloader | either sex | OTC | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | 50 |
| Black bear | Rifle | either sex | OTC | Oct 14, 2026 | Nov 22, 2026 | 50 |
| Mountain lion | All methods | – | Group harvest limit | Nov 23, 2026 | Mar 31, 2027 | 50 |
| Wild turkey | Spring | – | OTC | Apr 11, 2026 | May 31, 2026 | 50 |
| Wild turkey | Fall | – | OTC | Sep 1, 2026 | Oct 4, 2026 | 50 |
Small game, birds and furbearers
| Game | Hunt | Area | Start | End |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ducks and coots | Season (split) | Mountain zone | Oct 3, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 |
| Dark geese | South Park season | Chaffee, Custer, Fremont, | Oct 3, 2026 | Jan 15, 2027 |
Season rows and hunt codes from the 2026 Colorado Big Game brochure, the 2026 Small Game and Waterfowl brochure, the Turkey brochure and the Mountain Lion brochure; property access dates still apply; checked November 5, 2026.
Which units cover 63 Ranch SWA
The CPW unit layer puts 63 Ranch SWA in 1 GMU: GMU 50.
No antler point limit on bulls in the units of 63 Ranch SWA. If your rifle elk hunt code is on the CWD list, elk taken in GMU 50 must be tested (free). Lion hunters check the quota for group 5 before going out.
Read these as whole-unit numbers: the biggest 2024 total among them was 273 elk in GMU 50.
| Unit | Species | Harvest | Hunters | Pct success |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GMU 50 | Elk | 273 | 850 | 32% |
| GMU 50 | Deer | 74 | 220 | 34% |
| GMU 50 | Pronghorn | 17 | 56 | 31% |
| GMU 50 | Black bear | 0 | – | – |
GMU overlay from the CPW Big Game GMU layer; unit rules from the 2026 Big Game brochure; 2024 elk harvest by GMU, 2024 deer harvest by GMU, 2024 pronghorn harvest by GMU, 2024 bear harvest by GMU; checked November 5, 2026.
Where 63 Ranch SWA is and how to get in
Directions from the 2026 brochure: From Fairplay, go 15 miles S on Highway 285, or 5.5 miles N of Antero Junction on Highway 285.
Its map point, 39.0139, -105.9596, comes from the boundary layer.
Directions from the 2026 Colorado State Recreation Lands brochure; map files from the CPW property page; point from CPW Managed Properties (public access only) layer, CPWAdminData (1 polygon) (polygon centroid of the largest part); checked November 5, 2026.
Towns and outfitters within reach of 63 Ranch SWA
Count on Hartsel, about 9 miles out, as the first town for supplies. Census 2024 counts 6,007 people in Salida, the largest nearby. The nearest CPW office is in Salida, 34 miles away.
| Community | County | Residents | Straight line | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hartsel | Park | – | 9 miles | east |
| Fairplay | Park | 755 | 15 miles | north |
| Leadville | Lake | 2,624 | 24 miles | northwest |
| Salida | Chaffee | 6,007 | 34 miles | south |
| Breckenridge | Summit | 4,892 | 34 miles | north |
Towns from places.json (Census 2024 estimates); CPW offices from the CPW Contact Us page; businesses from services.json listings; straight-line miles. Checked November 5, 2026.
Public places a short drive from 63 Ranch SWA
The closest other public ground is 63 Ranch STL, 1 mile to the northeast. Within the six nearest places are 5 trust land parcels and 1 SWA. Closed to hunting nearby: Knight-Imler State Wildlife Area (Fishing Easement) (CPW lists no hunting), Badger Basin State Trust Land (CPW lists no hunting) and Badger Basin State Wildlife Area (CPW lists no hunting).
| Public land | Kind | Acres | County | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 63 Ranch STL | State trust land | 1,635 | Park | 1 mile | northeast |
| Antero STL | State trust land | 11,060 | Park | 5 miles | south |
| High Creek STL | State trust land | 1,121 | Park | 7 miles | north |
| Tomahawk SWA | SWA | 1,655 | Park | 7 miles | northeast |
| Chubb Park STL | State trust land | 3,640 | Chaffee | 9 miles | south |
| Hartsel STL | State trust land | 380 | Park | 10 miles | east |
Point: CPW Managed Properties (public access only) layer, CPWAdminData (1 polygon) (polygon centroid of the largest part). Straight-line distances. Closed places from lands.json closed rows. Statewide public land map.
A look at the country near 63 Ranch SWA
63 Ranch SWA: when the legal day starts and ends
In 63 Ranch SWA, the light goose conservation order and furbearer hunting both run to half an hour after sunset.
| Date | Why it matters | Sunrise | Sunset | Big game hours | Bird hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 15, 2026 | Pronghorn bow opener | 6:15 a.m. | 8:00 p.m. | 5:45 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. | 5:45 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. |
| Sep 2, 2026 | Archery opener | 6:32 a.m. | 7:34 p.m. | 6:02 a.m. to 8:04 p.m. | 6:02 a.m. to 7:34 p.m. |
| Sep 12, 2026 | Muzzleloader opens | 6:40 a.m. | 7:18 p.m. | 6:10 a.m. to 7:48 p.m. | 6:10 a.m. to 7:18 p.m. |
| Oct 3, 2026 | Duck season opens | 6:59 a.m. | 6:44 p.m. | 6:29 a.m. to 7:14 p.m. | 6:29 a.m. to 6:44 p.m. |
| Oct 24, 2026 | Second rifle opens | 7:21 a.m. | 6:13 p.m. | 6:51 a.m. to 6:43 p.m. | 6:51 a.m. to 6:13 p.m. |
| Nov 23, 2026 | Lion season opens | 6:54 a.m. | 4:45 p.m. | 6:24 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. | 6:24 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. |
| Dec 21, 2026 | Shortest day | 7:18 a.m. | 4:43 p.m. | 6:48 a.m. to 5:13 p.m. | 6:48 a.m. to 4:43 p.m. |
Hours rules from the 2026 Colorado Big Game brochure and the Small Game and Waterfowl brochure; sunrise and sunset worked out for this location with the NOAA solar formula (Mountain Time); checked November 5, 2026. Legal hours for every county.
Zeroing a rifle on the way to 63 Ranch State Wildlife Area
The closest CPW-listed range to 63 Ranch State Wildlife Area is Park County Shooting Range, roughly 21 miles off as the crow flies. After the public range come the nearest clubs within 30 miles.
From the CPW Shooting Range Finder, ranges’ own pages and directory listings, checked November 5, 2026.
Questions about 63 Ranch SWA, answered
Does Colorado allow baiting on 63 Ranch SWA?
Not for big game, turkey, small game or migratory birds; bait of plant or animal matter is legal only for furbearers.
What blaze orange rule applies on 63 Ranch SWA?
With any firearm license for deer, elk, pronghorn, moose or bear: 500 square inches of solid orange or pink above the waist plus an orange or pink hat.
Does the CPW page show camping for 63 Ranch SWA?
Camping is not offered here.
What clock times bound legal hunting on 63 Ranch SWA?
Half an hour either side of the sun for big game, which on November 7, 2026 means 6:06 a.m. to 5:27 p.m. in Park County.
What license or pass gets me onto 63 Ranch SWA?
Anyone 16 or older needs a Colorado hunting or fishing license or a State Wildlife Area Pass, plus the license for the game you hunt.
Where do I confirm the rules for 63 Ranch SWA?
Check the agency page run by Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
What part of Colorado holds 63 Ranch SWA?
Look in Park County.
How much room is there to roam on 63 Ranch SWA?
Listed size: 1,200 acres.
What hours apply on 63 Ranch SWA?
Open for hunting from August 15 through the end of February. Seasons apply as well.
Which GMUs does 63 Ranch SWA overlap?
Units on the CPW layer: GMU 50.
Do I need to draw for elk on 63 Ranch SWA?
Yes, elk here is draw only: 11 limited rows and no OTC option.
Which game does 63 Ranch SWA hold?
Waterfowl and big game, by the agency list.
Where should I stay when hunting 63 Ranch SWA?
Hartsel is your nearest base, 9 miles off.
CWD and antler rules for 63 Ranch SWA?
No elk antler point restriction in these units. Mandatory free CWD testing for selected rifle elk hunt codes in GMU 50.
Who can answer a question about conditions on 63 Ranch SWA?
Phone CPW office in Denver, 303-291-7227.
Before you head to 63 Ranch SWA
Use this page to plan, then reread the agency page for 63 Ranch SWA the week before the trip.
Sources: source 1 · source 2 · source 3 · source 4; seasons from the 2026 Colorado Big Game brochure. Checked November 5, 2026.
Other photos on this page: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Midwest Region (Public domain); USFWS Headquarters (CC BY 2.0); Birding for Climate (Public domain).