Section Before Random Drawing
Potential Hunters for the 2021-2022 Hunting Season
Hunters interested in participating in limited hunting at Ron Stewart Preserve must have a GMU 20 rifle elk hunting license with hunt code E-F-020-L3-R through Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Please note that the E-F-020-L3-R license is only valid in a small area of unit 20. Hunters should obtain other landowner’s permission in case they are not selected in our random drawing or the license can be returned to Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
All hunters who receive an E-F-020-L3-R license will be notified by us with instructions on how to enter our random drawing. The drawing will be held this summer and hunters will be selected for 51 slots and guaranteed a one-week hunting session. The hunting season at Ron Stewart Preserve is September through January. All selected hunters are required to pass a shooting proficiency test using lead-free ammunition and attend an orientation.
This hunting program is solely and specifically permitted as a resource management tool. There is no cost to the hunter beyond the existing Colorado Parks and Wildlife license system and Boulder County does not receive any additional revenue. Recreational hunting at Ron Stewart Preserve at Rabbit Mountain or any other open space property is strictly prohibited.
The hunting season for Ron Stewart Preserve at Rabbit Mountain is Sept. 20 through Jan. 30. During that time, Ron Stewart Preserve will be closed to the public Monday through Wednesday for elk management through limited hunting but will remain open to the public during the weeks of Thanksgiving and Christmas, and on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. When management activities cease early in the week, staff will open Ron Stewart Preserve early to the public.
2020-2021 Hunting Season
Ron Stewart Preserve at Rabbit Mountain will be closed Monday through Wednesday from Sept. 21 through Jan. 31 for elk management through limited hunting. If hunters are successful early in the week, the park will be reopened the following day. The park is open Thursday through Sunday and on the following days:
- Nov. 23-25 OPEN (Thanksgiving week)
- Dec. 21-23 OPEN (Christmas week)
- Jan. 18 OPEN (Martin Luther King Jr. Day)
Three hunters will be granted a one-week access permit to hunt on open space each week during the season. Hunters can take advantage of the closure to hunt on Ron Stewart Preserve at Rabbit Mountain on only the closed days, Monday through Wednesday. However, they may hunt the other areas (Indian Mountain and the Cushman Property) on any of the other days of their permit. All hunters will have passed a shooting proficiency test and attended an orientation. Learn more about hunting on open space.
This hunting program is solely and specifically permitted as a resource management tool. There is no cost to the hunter beyond the existing Colorado Parks and Wildlife license system and Boulder County does not receive any additional revenue. Recreational hunting at Ron Stewart Preserve at Rabbit Mountain or any other open space property is strictly prohibited.
Please note that the E-F-020-L3-R license is only valid in a small area of unit 20. Hunters should obtain other landowner’s permission in case they are not selected in our random drawing. Please see page 41 of the 2019 Big Game brochure for details.
Potential Hunters
A letter and email were sent to all hunters with a GMU 20 rifle elk hunting license with hunt code E-F-020-L3-R asking them to declare their interest in the program. On July 23, a random drawing was held and 57 hunters and 10 alternates were selected.
All selected hunters are be required to pass a shooting proficiency test and attend an orientation.
Potential Hunters
Hunters interested in participating in the free program must have a GMU 20 rifle elk hunting license with hunt code E-F-020-L3-R through Colorado Parks & Wildlife.
Declaration of Interest
Hunters with an E-F-020-L3-R license must complete the Declaration of Interest in order to be eligible for the random drawing. The Declaration of Interest must be completed by July 22.
Random Drawing
A random drawing will be held on July 23 to determine which 57 hunters will be guaranteed a hunting session. Ten alternates will also be selected. Hunters will be notified via email by July 25 if they were selected.
Scheduling Calendar
Selected hunters will be given access to a scheduling calendar where they can sign up for a one-week hunting session. There are three sessions each week from Sept. 17 through Jan. 31 (note: there are no sessions Dec. 24-30). Each session runs Monday through Sunday.
The scheduling calendar opens on July 30 at 8 a.m. and is first come, first served. Signing up for a session allows a hunter to receive an access permit during the specified dates. Hunters are allowed to bring up to two companions and one vehicle. Access permits are nontransferable. If a hunter fills their tag before their scheduled session, the session will be given to an alternate.
Site Orientation
Selected hunters must attend a mandatory onsite orientation at the Ron Stewart Preserve picnic shelter. Hunters who completed the orientation last year will have the option to complete an online orientation. Orientations are scheduled for:
- Saturday, Aug. 25 from 9 a.m. – noon
- Saturday, Sept. 15 from 9 a.m. – noon
- Friday, Oct. 19 from 9 a.m. – noon
Shooting Proficiency
Selected hunters will be required to pass a shooting proficiency test. All hunters must pass the test even if they qualified last year. Selected hunters will be notified of dates and times for the test.
Alternates
The 10 alternates selected during the random drawing will be given access to the scheduling calendar on Aug. 13 at 8 a.m. and can sign up for any remaining available hunting sessions. If an alternate does not secure a session, they will be on standby and notified if a session opens up. Alternates are required to pass the shooting proficiency test and attend a site orientation.
Youth
Youth ages 12-17 that hold a GMU 20 rifle elk hunting license with hunt code E-F-020-L3-R will be permitted to participate this year. If selected, youth hunters must have completed their hunter education course and be accompanied by a mentor during their site orientation and hunting session. Mentors must be at least 18 years old and be hunter education certified.