January at Turner Ranch Outfitting: Reflection, Stewardship, and the Meaning of the Hunt
January has long been a season of pause. Across cultures and generations, it is a time when people slow their pace, reflect on the year behind them, and prepare for the renewal that arrives with spring. Historically, this quieter stretch of winter has offered space to honor successes, learn from challenges, and set intentions for the months ahead.
For gardeners, farmers, and ranchers, January is often a planning season—a time to assess the land, consider the health of crops and herds, and thoughtfully prepare for what is to come. At Turner Ranch Outfitting, we carry this same mindset into the new year.
A Season of Reflection
January gives us the opportunity to reflect on the hunt seasons just completed, to look back on the experiences shared across our properties, and to evaluate how we can continue stewarding the land while creating meaningful opportunities for our guests.
When we reflect on the past season, what stands out most are the moments in-between. Long walks across open country. Quiet conversations beside a crackling fire. Laughter fills the dining room as stories from years past are shared once again.
These moments define our lives, reminding us that hunting is about far more than the pursuit itself. It is about connection, tradition, and shared experience.
A Growing Community
Friendships continue to grow here. Some now 38 years strong, others just beginning. We welcome familiar faces who return season after season, alongside new guests experiencing these landscapes for the very first time.
Each brings their own story, their own background, and their own reason for being here. Yet all leave connected by the land and the time spent on it.
Learning Through the Land
This year, we were honored to host several first-time hunting guests who walked the halls of Costilla Lodge during Vermejo’s Forest to Table conservation workshop.
For many, the experience offered a deeper understanding of the relationship between land management, wildlife conservation, and food systems. Conversations carried from the classroom into the field, where guests could see firsthand how thoughtful stewardship directly impacts herd health, habitat resilience, and long-term sustainability.
Other guests spent their days immersed in the rugged beauty of the expansive property, returning in the evenings to the quiet comfort of the secluded Bernal Lake Cabin. After long days hunting bison and cow elk, they gathered with loved ones, enjoying private views and the stillness that only Vermejo can provide.
Some found their home away from home in cottages or sprawling homes—from Casa Grande and Turner House at Vermejo to Ted Turner’s private homes in southern New Mexico at Ladder and Armendaris. These inviting spaces are designed to offer both comfort and a sense of belonging, where mornings begin with anticipation and evenings end in connection and reflection.
A Pursuit With Purpose
At Turner Ranch Outfitting, we specialize in hunting for conservation. Every hunt serves a purpose beyond the experience itself. Through science-based management and sustainability-focused practices, we support the land we are privileged to steward. Herd maintenance is approached with care, respect, and a long-term vision, ensuring healthy wildlife populations and resilient ecosystems for generations to come.
Beyond the Hunt
Equally important is the experience we create for our guests, whether they are hunting or accompanying loved ones. We believe deeply in providing opportunities to slow down, connect, and create moments worth reflecting on long after the season ends.
From shared meals and meaningful conversations to quiet mornings watching the land wake up, these moments are often the ones that remain most vivid.
Looking Ahead
As we look ahead to the coming year, January reminds us that renewal does not happen all at once. It is built through intention, patience, and care—much like the land itself.
We remain grateful for those who choose to spend time with us, trust us with their experiences, and share in our commitment to conservation, stewardship, and connection.
We look forward to another year of shared stories, meaningful hunts, and moments that remind us why this work matters.
From all of us at Turner Ranch Outfitting, thank you for being part of this community and for helping carry these traditions forward. We invite you to contact us to plan your next hunt and look forward to seeing you in the year ahead.
About the Author
Brittney Foster is the Hunt Administrator for Turner Ranch Outfitting. She is based at Vermejo, the largest Turner property spanning 558,000 acres in northern New Mexico and southern Colorado. Contact Brittney at hunts@vermejo.com.