Visitors to the ranch are amazed at the stature of the majestic Rocky Mountain elk, one of Utah's largest big-game animals. From just a few feet away during a nostalgic sleigh ride, visitors can photograph hundreds of wild elk, including trophy bulls. The ranch opened for the winter season Dec. 14.

Utah officials purchased Hardware Ranch in 1945 and began feeding elk to keep them from roaming into the farms and ranches of Cache Valley. Besides helping preserve elk, and protecting farmers and ranchers, this unique program provides a rare opportunity for wildlife lovers to witness this impressive animal up close in a scenic mountain setting. The ranch is also used as a research center and boasts the longest continuing herd study program in the country.

The elk at Hardware Ranch may seem domestic, but they are wild. There are no fences or restraints to keep them on the ranch's 14,000 acres. It is only hunger and easy-to-get food that keeps the elk coming back year after year. The elk, sometimes called "Wapiti," a Shawnee Indian name, was selected as Utah's state animal in 1971. The elk is the second-largest member of the deer family.

Elk on the ranch can be best seen from old-fashioned, horse-drawn sleighs that tour through the herd. The general season for viewing elk at Hardware begins in mid-December and finishes around mid-March, depending on snow conditions.

If there isn't enough snow for sleighs, then rubber-wheeled wagons are used.

The ranch is operated as a partnership between the Division of Wildlife Resources and a private concessionaire who offers the ranch's unique amenities. There is also a visitors center and interactive exhibits, according to Chris Haller, ranch manager.

A new feature this season will be 45-minute excursions on snowshoes.

"This is a unique viewing opportunity where visitors can enjoy the quiet solitude and beauty of winter," Haller said. "This is also a chance to view wildlife and the elk herd from a completely different viewpoint."

The snowshoe excursion will be offered only on Saturday afternoons. It is $5 per person.

John Barsody runs the concessions at Hardware Ranch, including sleigh rides for the public, a restaurant, a snack bar and a gift shop.

"I enjoy doing everything here, but my favorite duty is to start the day harnessing the horses and feeding the elk," said Barsody, who moved to Utah from Minnesota. "It's a perfect job for me. I love horses and elk and enjoy the food business. My wife and two sons love it, too."

Barsody and his hired hands help care for 450 elk. The extent of the care depends on the year and the weather. This year, the elk came in before Thanksgiving, but left again due to warm weather. Barsody also takes care of four teams of powerful Percheron and Belgian draft horses that pull the four custom-built sleighs.

Each sleigh hauls 20 camera-toting visitors and on weekends the ride is so popular many have to wait in line for a 20-minute guided tour. An average of 50,000 visitors come to Hardware Ranch during the three-month winter season.

The DWR runs the farming end of the ranch, growing 300 tons of grass hay on 160 acres of mountain meadows. The ranch also provides a great opportunity for wildlife officials to study biology and the population dynamics of elk.

"Information gathered here helps make wise management plans for elk herds across the state," Haller said.

Studies on elk pregnancy rates have been used statewide to help predict population growth. Research on disease and immobilization practices has also been used statewide to help manage and control elk herds.

Elk were almost eliminated from Utah in the late 1800s because of unregulated hunting. Good management plans have restored elk herds and the population is near 60,000 in Utah.

"We feed one 900-pound bale of hay for every 100 elk," said sleigh driver Todd Warner. "We're feeding about five bales per day. In cold or windy weather, or if the snow gets real deep, we increase that amount."

During the sleigh tour, Warner tells his passengers interesting facts about elk.

Hardware Ranch Wildlife Management Area is open daily. Hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

Visitors often see moose, deer and bald and golden eagles as they drive up Blacksmith Fork Canyon. Sleigh rides are $5 for ages 9 and older and $3 for ages 3-8. No reservations are required.

A unique evening sleigh ride and barbecue chicken and rib dinner is available by reservation Saturday nights. Barsody said this is a popular activity with couples.

The ranch is approximately 130 miles from Provo. This is also a popular snowmobile destination with trails coming from Bear Lake and Monte Cristo.