Meeker ranch to open for public hunters

Meeker — A handful of big-game hunters this fall will get the rare opportunity for a free, private-land deer or elk hunt near Meeker. — A handful of big-game hunters this fall will get the rare opportunity for a free, private-land deer or elk hunt near Meeker.

— A handful of big-game hunters this fall will get the rare opportunity for a free, private-land deer or elk hunt near Meeker.

The hunts are arranged by Colorado Parks and Wildlife on the Miller Ranch in game management unit 23 as part of a deal establishing a perpetual conservation agreement on the 3,100-acre ranch. The agreement required allowing limited public hunting access.

The 10 hunts — mostly cow elk and doe deer, with one bull elk hunt — are open to all eligible hunters, although priority will be given to youths and military veterans, Parks and Wildlife said in a news release.

A mail-in application must be completed and sent by Oct. 6 to the Meeker Parks and Wildlife office. The application is available on the Parks and Wildlife website, http://www.cpw.state.co.us.

Information: 970-878-6090.