This DIY duck and goose hunt offers just over a mile of private South Platte River frontage just outside of Hartsel, Colorado - roughly half on the South Fork and half on the Middle Fork. The entire stretch included in this listing is private and exclusive to your group for the day you book. No blinds are provided, so plan to bring your own A-frame or work with the natural brush and cover along the banks. Hunters also have the option to walk the river and jumpshoot birds throughout the day, which can be a productive approach on this stretch. It's worth noting that this property falls within the Mountain/Foothills zone of Colorado, so season dates here differ from those on the Front Range - make sure you are hunting the correct dates for this zone before your trip. There is a public fishing easement on portions of the river outside of this listing's boundaries, so while it's unlikely in the fall and winter, the occasional angler is possible on those stretches - stick to the private water and you won't share it with anyone. The property also borders Spinney Mountain State Wildlife Area, which is available to hunt and worth working into your trip. As pressure there increases throughout the season, it tends to push birds onto the private water, which bodes well for Hartsel Ranch since it is the very first private stretch of river to the west. There are several structures within shooting distance of particular chunks of river here - please avoid discharging firearms in their direction, or in close vicinity to them - take note of the 'no hunt' zones in the Infinite Outdoors app.

This stretch of the South Platte sits just upstream from Spinney Mountain Reservoir - a 2,500-acre body of water that draws significant numbers of waterfowl each fall and serves as the engine behind the bird activity on this property. Spinney is known for holding geese, mallards, teal, buffleheads, wigeons, and gadwalls, and as the season progresses and hunting pressure builds on the reservoir, birds begin pushing off in search of quieter water. Hartsel Ranch's private river frontage sits directly in that exit path. The mid-morning push is one of the more reliable patterns here - once opening volleys ring out across Spinney and the surrounding public areas at first light, ducks and geese regularly move west along the river corridor and settle onto the calmer, unpressured private water. Later in the season, as Spinney begins to ice over, that movement becomes even more pronounced as birds seek out whatever open water remains - and a moving river holds open longer than a standing reservoir. The South Platte through this stretch is relatively open and exposed, so cover can take some work to find, but it's there - willows, tall grass, fencelines, and natural bends in the river all provide workable setups for hunters willing to scout on foot. The many bends and channels of both the South Fork and Middle Fork also make this a natural stretch for hunters who prefer to walk and jump shoot birds as they use the river throughout the day.

Reservation fees are due at the time of booking and are non-refundable. Outdoorsman fees will automatically process 48 hours prior to the adventure. It is the responsibility of the party organizer to ensure each guest is invited to the adventure 48 hours or more before the hunt so charges can process accordingly.

For waterfowl, fishing, and other small game adventures, cancellations made 48 hours or more prior to the scheduled adventure will not be charged. Cancellations made within 48 hours of the adventure will be charged the full outdoorsman fee.

If there is a lapse in availability, please do not be discouraged to reach out to IO. All calendars are set and managed by landowners, and unavailability is set by them. However, IO is willing to reach out on your behalf, to check on available dates. Other reasons for unavailable dates include biologist recommended hunter/harvest quotas that landowners implement, as well as state season dates not being released.

You are not legally allowed to access the property, for any adventure, prior to your selected access day. If you try to access the property at all before your selected date(s), without prior approval from IO, you will be subject to trespassing and punishments therein.