Colorado has long been known as an opportunity state for big-game hunters—but that opportunity is changing. In Episode 035 of the UC Hunting Properties Podcast, we sit down with Loren Williams and Gary Hubbell to talk about the changing landscape of Colorado hunting, hunting pressure, the state's draw system, western hunting properties, and what the future could look like for hunters and landowners. Loren brings more than 20 years of experience as a professional guide and outfitter, along with a lifetime of hunting in Colorado as a sixth-generation Coloradan. He also has experience working with Colorado Parks and Wildlife and various stakeholder groups involved in hunting policy. We discuss Colorado's growing population, increasing recreation in the backcountry, declining elk success rates, the state's long history of over-the-counter opportunities, and the changes being made to the tag and draw systems. Loren also breaks down the upcoming hybrid draw system, how preference points will factor into the process, the potential future of over-the-counter tags, and why land ownership could become increasingly important to hunters. The conversation also dives into the business of buying and selling western hunting properties—including why the prettiest property isn't always the most productive, how habitat and hunting pressure can be managed, and what Loren learned from helping manage a 20,000-acre ranch. If you're interested in Colorado elk hunting, western hunting properties, land management, or the future of hunting in Colorado, this is an episode you won't want to miss. Stand On Your Investment. Subscribe to the UC Hunting Properties Podcast for more conversations about recreational land, hunting, land management, and the people who know these properties best.

What's the best way to sell a farm or recreational property—traditional brokerage, a live auction, or an online auction? In this episode of the UC Hunting Properties Podcast, we sit down with Dan McCristy to talk about the changing landscape of land sales and auctions, drawing on more than two decades of experience selling farms and recreational properties. Dan breaks down what actually goes into deciding how a property should be sold, including the seller's goals, ownership structure, length of ownership, property type, market conditions, and the potential advantages of an auction. We also get into why fall can be such a strong time to sell farmland, how parcel splits can affect value, the growing influence of recreational value and habitat management, and why online auctions have become the dominant format for many land sales. Dan also shares his perspective on the gradual disappearance of the traditional live farm auction, how technology has changed the industry, and what landowners should look for when choosing a land broker to represent one of their family's biggest assets. And, of course, the conversation takes a few turns into hunting, Iowa vs. Missouri deer hunting, wrestling, NIL, and the changing culture around landownership and hunting. If you own land, are considering selling, or simply want a better understanding of how the land market works, this is an episode you won't want to miss. Stand on Your Investment. Subscribe to the UC Hunting Properties Podcast for more conversations about recreational land, hunting, land management, farming, and the people behind the properties.

In Episode 33 of the UC Hunting Properties Podcast, we sit down with Bryan Atkins and Jason Small to break down the story behind one of Bryan's most incredible whitetail hunts — the buck he nicknamed T-Rex. Bryan walks us through the entire journey, from first laying eyes on the buck and passing him early in the season, to watching him disappear, tracking his movements, and finally getting the opportunity on November 8. This wasn't a lucky encounter. The story is built around years of scouting, understanding deer movement, managing habitat, playing the wind, and having the discipline to wait for the right opportunity. Bryan also talks about what it means to kill a mature buck on ground you own — especially one that neighbors had previously passed. We also get into Bryan and Tyler Arnold's approach to finding and hunting big whitetails across Iowa and Missouri, public-land hunting, land management, scouting strategies, and how their real estate business connects directly to their passion for hunting. The result is a great conversation about giant whitetails, the work that goes into hunting mature deer, and why owning and managing your own piece of ground can change the game.