Kessler Canyon is a proud participant in the Ranching for Wildlife program set in place by the Division of Wildlife, which improves habitat for both game and non-game animals.  Ranching for Wildlife is a wildlife management partnership between the Division of Wildlife and owners of large tracts of private land and provides public hunting recreation access to their land free of charge to those who draw licenses. These efforts help preserve and enhance open spaces for wildlife to live and thrive, and they help keep our hunting heritage alive for you and future generations.

There are currently 24 ranches enrolled in the program. Species hunted and available to hunters by limited license drawing include: Elk, Deer, Pronghorn, Bear, Turkey, Moose, and Bighorn Sheep. 

The number of licenses on each ranch is determined by negotiations between the landowner and the Division, and public licenses on each ranch are available to the public through the Division’s drawing process. The hunts are very popular with hunters and it can often require five or more points to draw male or either sex licenses. 

• Exceptional Habitat Management – the ranch demonstrates outstanding achievement in wildlife habitat management.
• Premier Public Hunt Times or Special Primitive Weapon Opportunity – the ranch provides at least 5 days of public hunt opportunity for half or more of the big game species during peak rut periods, OR provides at least 5 days of public hunt opportunity in addition to minimum season length requirements dedicated to hunting by archery or muzzleloading rifle method of take.
• Exceptional Public Hunter Service or Success – the ranch achieves a very high level of hunter satisfaction because of the services they offer and the manner in which they treat public hunters, OR public hunter success rates on the ranch are 80% or better averaged among all species.
• Youth, Disabled, or Donated Hunts – the ranch offers special hunting opportunities for youth hunters, disabled hunters, or donates hunts to conservation organizations in the amount of 5% of the average total deer, elk and pronghorn license allocation.
• Exceptional Herd Management Contributions – the ranch exceeds the minimum standards for harvest of female animals in proportion to the habitat provided by at least 10% (at least 10% over the proportion if the herd is over objective, or 10% - 20% under the proportion if the herd is under objective).
• Exceptional Contribution to Resolving Big Game Conflicts – the ranch provides exceptional management actions to help resolve big game damage concerns off the ranch, OR provides 50% level of hunts during 4 regular rifle seasons to help resolve big game distribution concerns.
• Exceptional Species Management or Special Opportunities – the ranch performs at an outstanding level in aiding management of Endangered, Threatened, or Species of Special Concern through activities related to approved/or developing recovery or species conservation plans, OR provides other exceptional actions that enhance wildlife and outdoor education, wildlife management, or wildlife related research as may be approved by the Division.