RANCH RULES

It’s a good idea to bring a copy of the Ranch Rules with you while hunting at Big Bo. You can download a copy of the 2024 Ranch Rules HERE.

2024 RANCH RULES:

1. “Recreational User” means any person (1) with a big game permit for a hunt area that includes the Subject Property; (1A) any person with a prairie dog permit for Aubrey Valley (2) any person scouting for a big game hunt that includes the Subject Property, (3) a guide as defined in A.R.S. § 17-101 and who is assisting a person with a big game permit, (4) any person assisting or accompanying a person with a big game permit for a hunt area that includes the Subject Property and (5) any other person participating in an mutually agreed upon activity that includes the Subject Property. *** Recreational Users who are assisting or accompanying a person with a big game permit for a hunt area that includes the Subject Property must know and provide the name of the person that they are assisting and the hunt that they are assisting on.

2. Recreational Users must pay the Recreational Impact Fee to obtain a Ranch Access Permit for
all big game hunts. An additional Recreational Impact Fee and Ranch Access Permit is required for each separate hunt. See “Hunt Access Rates Page” for permit cost. Recreational users shall use the Big Boquillas Hunting
website to obtain the Ranch Access Permit
. The Ranch Access
Permit will be valid beginning the first Friday in August. This permit
includes the Big Boquillas Ranch within Game Management Unit 10 and will expire at midnight on second day after the conclusion of the hunt associated with Ranch Access Permit. Note: Guides and
outfitters, please refer to Ranch Rules 7 and 8 below.

3. Recreational Users who are prairie dog hunting only must pay the Recreational Impact Fee of $25 per day per person using the Big Boquillas Hunting website. Multiple days may be purchased and listed on one permit. This Ranch Access Permit will be available based on Arizona
Game and Fish Department’s regulation pertaining to prairie dog season start and end dates. This permit is valid for the Aubrey Valley portion of the Big Boquillas Ranch within Game Management Unit 10. Prairie dog hunters must remain in the grassland portion of the Aubrey Valley and are not permitted to access other areas of the Ranch including the Aubrey Cliffs and Robber’s Roost. Any further restrictions regarding Aubrey Valley pastures will be made available at the time of purchase. Prairie dog hunting is not allowed within one mile of Pica Camp in Aubrey Valley.

4. Recreational Users who are antlerless elk hunting only must
pay the Recreational Impact Fee of $75 and obtain a separate Ranch Access Permit for each hunt. A Recreational User shall use the Big Boquillas Hunting website to obtain a Ranch Access Permit. The Ranch Access Permit will be valid beginning the first Friday in August. This permit includes the Big Boquillas Ranch within Game Management Unit 10 and will expire at midnight on second day after the conclusion of the hunt associated with Ranch Access Permit.

5. Exceptions to the requirement to pay the Recreational Impact Fee are:

  • Disabled veteran hunters (who must obtain a $1 DAV permit for access)
  • Youth hunters (17 years old and under at the time of entry) and one mentor who assists the youth hunter (who must obtain a $1 Jr permit for access)
  • Junior hunters who are participating in a Department sanctioned juniors-only big game hunt and all others assisting with that hunt during the hunt dates (who must purchase a $1 Jr permit for access)
  • Youth, 15 years old and under, who are assisting or accompanying a person that is prairie dog hunting or possesses a big game permit for a hunting area that includes the Subject Property.
  • One complimentary Hunter Assist Permit is available for each antlerless elk Hunter Permit that is purchased. See the “Notices Page” section for more details.
  • Recreational Users for whom the Lessee and Department agree to waive access fees.
  • Individuals exempted from paying the Recreational Impact Fee must contact the Lessee’s Hunt Manager to obtain a no-cost Ranch Access Permit.

Recreational Users who intend to enter and remain on the Boquillas Ranch must sign in at one of the designated access points. All Recreational Users who enter and remain on the Big Boquillas Ranch must at all times possess a valid Ranch Access Permit. Permits are available by purchasing the Permit online at the Big Boquillas Hunting website.

6. Recreational Users who intend to
enter and remain on the Boquillas Ranch must sign in at one of the
designated access points.  All Recreational Users who enter and
remain on the Big Boquillas Ranch must at all times possess a valid Ranch Access Permit.  Permits are available by purchasing the Permit online at the Big Boquillas Hunting website.

7. Rules and Regulations for Guides and Outfitters at Big Boquillas Ranch
To operate on the Big Boquillas Ranch, all guides and outfitters must follow these guidelines:

  • Register with the Lessee's Hunt Manager
  • Pay a $750.00 Recreational Impact Fee
  • Provide proof of licensing and insurance
  • Purchase an individual permit for each guide and outfitter
  • Pay an additional $300 fee for each additional hunter
  • Have only two guides per contracted hunter in the field for scouting and/or hunting
  • Purchase a Ranch Access Permit for other employees, such as a cook, who are not allowed to assist hunters in scouting or hunting
  • Have a contracted hunter for a hunt within the boundaries of the Big Boquillas Ranch in order to enter the ranch for pre-scouting
  • Purchase a $750.00 Guides and Outfitters permit for pre-scouting.

8. Those holding an Arizona Game and Fish Department Special Tag and their guides/assistants may access the Big Boquillas Ranch during the
same time period as all other Recreational Users and must register with the Lessee’s Hunt Manager. Guides and outfitters must pay a $750.00 Recreational Impact Fee and provide proof of licensing and insurance when
operating on the Big Boquillas Ranch. Guides for an Arizona Game and Fish Department Special Tag are allowed access only during the regular open
access periods as other Recreational Users and Guides. The same rules apply for guides and outfitters on special tag hunts, with one exception; the special tag hunter must designate two individual guides by name for the duration of their season.

9. This access program for permitted Recreational Users to enter and hunt the Big Boquillas Ranch will begin the first Friday in August annually.

10. Access by Permitted Recreational Users to the Big Boquillas Ranch will close after December 19, 2024 for the winter. Access after that date is prohibited on the Big Boquillas Ranch, unless otherwise expressly authorized in writing by the Lessee.

11. Ranch Rules will apply to all private property and Arizona State Trust Land that is accessed through private property within the Big Boquillas Ranch.  As a condition of lawful access, permitted Recreational Users who enter/cross private property, owned by the Boquillas Ranch, agree to abide by all Ranch Rules, even when hunting on Arizona State Trust Land.  Failure to do so may result in the permanent loss of access privileges to the Boquillas Ranch and any other Ranch participating in the Landowner Compact. Those individuals who have been noticed of permanent loss of access privileges who attempt to
re-enter private lands on the Boquillas Ranch may be cited for
trespass. Failure to abide by the Ranch Rules may result in permanent loss of access privileges to Boquillas Ranch and any other Ranch participating in the Landowner Compact. Individuals who attempt to re-enter private lands on Boquillas Ranch after they have been denied access may be cited for trespass.

12. While on the Big Boquillas Ranch, a violation of any state statute or regulation or these Ranch Rules shall result in revocation of the Recreational User’s Ranch Access Pass and may result in permanent revocation of the privilege to access the Big Boquillas Ranch. This applies to all private property and Arizona State
Trust Land accessed through private property within the Big Boquillas Ranch.

13. Prior to entering the Big Boquillas Ranch, all adult Recreational Users must acknowledge in writing that the
Recreational User has read and understood the Ranch Rules and agrees to abide by the Ranch Rules and accept responsibility for damage the Recreational User causes to the Big Boquillas Ranch. Each individual must keep a copy of their permit on their person at all times while on the ranch.

14. All other access on the Big
Boquillas Ranch is forbidden unless written authorization is obtained from the Lessee (No Trespassing).

15. All vehicles must display on the dash board a copy of the permit for each individual that is associated with that vehicle.

16. Aerial scouting is prohibited on the Big Boquillas Ranch.

17. The use of trail cameras, scouting cameras or any other automated remote camera systems is prohibited on the Big Boquillas Ranch.

18. The construction of or use of blinds or tree stands (commercial or otherwise) is prohibited on the Big
Boquillas Ranch.

19. Hunting within 100 yards of a water source is prohibited on the Big Boquillas Ranch.

20. Any off-road vehicle including ATVs and UTVs are prohibited (utilized or possessed) on the Big Boquillas Ranch.

21. Horses, mules and donkeys (all
equines) are prohibited on the Big Boquillas Ranch.

22. Off-road motorized big game
retrieval is authorized only for the retrieval of elk on the Big Boquillas Ranch. When retrieving a harvested elk, hunters may make a single trip in and out using only one vehicle. Off-road motorized big game retrieval is not authorized when conditions are muddy. Unless otherwise permitted, all other off-road travel is prohibited on the Big Boquillas Ranch.

23. The use of any edible substance (including salt) to attract wildlife (baiting) is prohibited on the Big Boquillas Ranch.

24. Walk-in only hunting areas may be identified periodically throughout the year. Hunters are permitted to enter these areas by foot access only. Bicycles, E-bikes and other mechanized
forms of travel are prohibited.
  The purpose of these areas is to assist ranch operations. Hunters can check on the status of the walk-in areas, by contacting the hunt manager or by checking the Big Boquillas Hunting website.

25. Gates are an important management tool on the Big Boquillas Ranch.  As gates are utilized on the ranch they must be left in the same condition as when they were found. 
Securely close gates that were closed and leave gates open that were already open. If there is any question on a gate status, contact the hunt manager or a ranch employee.

26. Cattle have the right of way at all times.

27. Improvements on State Trust Lands including corrals, troughs, tanks, dirt tanks, pipelines and fences are private property owned by the ranch. Respect the investments of the Ranch and preserve your privilege to hunt the Big Boquillas Ranch.

28. All spotlighting is prohibited on the Big Boquillas Ranch.

29. Within 200 yards of Big Boquillas Ranch residences the speed limit is 15 MPH.

30. Discharge of a firearm is NOT Permitted within a one mile radius of the Pica Camp Headquarters.

31. Respecting Each Other's Hunting Experience. As a code of conduct, Hunters, Hunter Assistants, Guides, and Outfitters will not disrupt or interfere with other hunters during their respective hunts.

32. Camping and extended parking is prohibited within one quarter mile of any water source.