To provide our Shareholders, their family, and guests with a safe and enjoyable experience when using the Kerckhoff Ranch, the following rules have been established. Please read these rules carefully which have been established to provide the safest experience possible.
DEFINITIONS:
RANCH refers to the Kerckhoff Ranch owned by the Kerckhoff Ranch Company (KRC).
BOARD MEMBER – refers to a member of the Board of Directors of the KRC.
SHAREHOLDER is a person who owns shares of stock in the Kerckhoff Ranch Company.
PERMITTEDOCCUPANTS (POs) are shareholders, their immediate family which includes their spouse and children.
GUESTS or INVITEES are all visitors who have been invited by a Shareholder. They are restricted to certain activities outlined below.
GENERAL: All persons on the Ranch are expected to conduct themselves in a responsible manner and be conscious of natural hazards that can exist on a large ranch property. Please remember to always exercise good judgment and focus on your safety and the safety of others in your party. All persons on the Ranch assume all responsibility for their own safety and welfare. Any persons who are not either a PO or a Guestare expressly forbidden to visit or use of the Ranch and will be considered trespassers.
I. RELEASE OF LIABILITY FORMS (ROLF)
Prior to any visit to the Ranch, every visitormust Sign and Date the appropriate Release of Liability and Assumption of Risk form. There are two Release of Liability/Assumption of Risk forms. One is for POs and the other is for Guests. The ROLF is good for one calendar year for PO’s and must be filled out prior to each visit for Guests.
Shareholders and Family Members (POs)
POs shall sign the Shareholders/Family Release of Liability and Assumption of Risk form. Any PO under the age of 18 years must have their parent or guardian sign the form. The signed forms are good for each calendar year and expire on December 31st.
Guests (INVITEES)
Each guest will sign a Release of Liability and Assumption of Risk Agreement each time they visit the Ranch. Any guest under the age of 18 years must have their parent or guardian sign the form.
. Access to Forms (ROLF)
Shareholders may obtain the Release of Liability and Assumption of Risk forms for themselves or their guests as follows:
a. Online – Click on the “schedule a visit” link to reach the calendar and the forms (ROLF) from the Kerckhoff Ranch Co. website kranchco.com. Print out the ROLF. Read, then sign and date the form.
You may return the ROLF prior to your visit by either emailing it back to Board Member Bill Charlesworth at bpcharlesworth@gmail.com .
b. You may contact any Board Member and request that forms be mailed to you. Then return the ROLF as per above.
II. RANCH USE
Permitted Occupants
POs may visit the Ranch at any time provided the visit does not interfere with any of the ranch’s cattle operations or create a hazardous situation.
POs under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Permitted Occupants may nowinvite Guests to visit the Ranch provided the PO is with the guest on the ranch.
All visitors must have signed a Release of Liability Waiver and Assumption of Risk Form (ROLF) and log their visit on the Ranch Calendar (see section III.) prior to their visit.
Guests
Guests may only be invited to visit the Ranch by a PO and the PO must be on the property at all times.
Guests cannot invite guests.
Guests are limited on their use of firearms per the Firearms section of these rules.
Guests are not permitted to operate ATV’s.
III. RANCH VISIT SCHEDULING/CALENDAR
PRIOR to any Ranch visit, the PO must log their visit on the Ranch Calendar which may be found on the kranchco.com website. Signing in does not reserve the camp ground as it’s on first come basis. If the PO does not have access to the website, they should contact a Board Member to have them log the visit.
Shareholders are responsible for informing their guests of all Ranch Rules of Visitation and will be responsible for all actions of their guests.
IV. GATE ACCESS TO THE RANCH
We recommend all visitors use the northeast access road off Huasna Road through the
Huasna Land and Cattle Ranch. The Kerckhoff Ranch Co. has a legal “Right of Way” through
the Huasna Land and Cattle Ranch to get to the Family Ranch. Please drive slowly (speed limit
is 15 MPH) and carefully. Be respectful of workers, livestock and dust.
PRIMARY ACCESS: The gate is 50 yards east of the wood river bridge at the end of Huasna
Road. The lock combinations are changed at least annually and each visitor should know the gate combination prior to their arrival. Current gate codes can be obtained on the website kranchco.com in the Member’s Area.
a. No cutting of locks or fences.
b. All GATES will be left the way they were found. Immediately close all gates that were found closed, and leave gates open that were already open.
c.Keep locked gates locked at All Times
d.Report broken locks to a Board member.
V. MOTOR VEHICLES
Please drive carefully. The roads can have ruts, rocks and wash outs. The roads also vary in
material from hard pack dirt, shale, mud or sand. The roads also vary in terrain, from flat, hilly
to steep. If the roads are wet, they can be very slippery and pose a threat of getting stuck or
sliding off the road. Driving off-road can pose a risk of fire danger, particularly in the summer
months. Driving off-road can also cause soil compaction that can minimize the growth potential
for pasture grass.
It is difficult to see barbed wire used in the fencing particularly when the light is changing in the evening. There may be times when there are only the fence iron posts sticking up which may be difficult to see. Injury or even death may result from driving recklessly. Drivers are expected to drive safely for the conditions they encounter and comply with all the following rules:
a.Four-wheel all-terrain vehicles are permissible. Guests are not permitted to operate ATV’s.
b.All vehicles should be driven at a safe speed for the conditions. Speed limit is 15 MPH in any case for all vehicles.
c.All California laws pertaining to alcohol usage and operation of a motor vehicle apply. Driving while intoxicated or with an open container is prohibited
d.Please stay on graded/designed roadways at all times to prevent compaction, risk of fire or becoming disabled during inclement weather. Off roading or hill climbing is not permitted.
e. Children under 12 years of age operating an all-terrain vehicle shall be under VISUAL supervision of their parent or guardian.
f. Helmets are required for anyone younger than 18 years of age and strongly recommended for those over the age of 18 years.
g. Two wheeled motorcycles, dual sport motorcycles, high performance ATV’s, side by sides (razors) and any extreme off- road vehicles are not permitted on the Ranch.
h. Some steep roads are for cattle passage only. They will be marked for no vehicles access.
i. Night time recreational driving is not permitted. Leaving the ranch/camp after dark is permitted.
VI. CAMPING/FIRES
Camping is permitted. While there are no designated camping areas, historically, the river bottom, “Old Campsite” has been the location of choice. The campsite is available on a first come basis and is not tied to the calendar sign in process. When choosing where to set up your tent or park your RV, please take into consideration the old oak trees and the possibility of a branch or tree falling. Falling trees or branches can cause serious injury including death. Before leaving, please pick up all garbage (including any aluminum cans or burnt items that might be in the fire pit) and leave the site as it was found (or better).
a. Campers and travel trailers are permitted for the duration of your stay. There are no hookups and dumping of grey or black water on the property is prohibited.
b. Firearms in camp must be unloaded.
c. Creek/river water is not potable and not recommended for drinking.
d. POs may bring pets but they must be controlled so as not to cause a nuisance to others. Guests may not bring pets.
e. Camp fires are subject to federal/state and local laws. Please exercise extreme caution, particularly in the months of July, August, September and October when fire danger is very high. No fireworks of any kind are allowed.
f. Campfire Defined “Campfire” means a fire which is used for cooking, personal warmth or a portable barbecue.
g. Fire ring must be surrounded by a non-combustible material such as concrete blocks, rocks or metal ring.
h. Clear an area of 5 feet from your fire ring of combustible material or grasses.
i. You should have a fire extinguisher, shovel or other equipment at your disposal when starting a fire.
j. NEVER leave your fire unattended.
k. Before leaving the site after your stay extinguish the fire pit completely, so no embers exist or the chance of reignition.
Pour water while stirring and wetting all ashes
Move some of the dirt adjacent to the fire into the fire and mix thoroughly.
Make sure nothing is still smoldering.
l. No camp fires on hot windy days.
m. Large or bonfires are not permitted under any circumstances unless approved by the Board of Directors.
n. Camp firewood is for camp fire use only.
o. If you are not using a porta potty, please bury or dispose of all biodegradable toiletries.
VII. FIREARMS – HUNTING/SHOOTING
The use of firearms, shooting and hunting is allowed at the Ranch under the conditions and
restrictions outlined below. Misuse of firearms can cause serious injury and even death. All
visitors should exercise caution and use best practices in firearm safety to eliminate harm to oneself and others. All persons using a firearm at the Ranch must have a Hunter Safety Certificate or a California Hunting license.
a. Age Limits - No one under the age of 12 may shoot a firearm anywhere on the Ranch (BB guns excluded).
b. POs - POs 16 years and older are permitted to target shoot and shoot game mammals, birds or predators including squirrels. Any PO between the ages of 12 and 15 may hunt live game provided they have a California hunting license and are accompanied by an adult PO. Otherwise POs may only shoot in the designated target area where theyare permitted to shoot target/clay pigeon as long they are accompanied by an adult PO.
c.Guests - Guests are not allowed to hunt live game. Guests 16 years and older use of firearms is limited to the designated target area where theyare permitted to shoot target/clay pigeon as long as they are accompanied by a shareholder.
d. All persons using a firearm shall abide by Federal, State and local laws, including but not limited to the issuance of hunting licenses, tags, stamps, copper bullets, steel shot and bag limits. Large game animals, deer and pigs are limited to one per hunter per year.
e. Due to livestock and other persons on the property it is essential that hunters/shooters abide by safe firearm practices that include;
No background (shooting over a hill etc.) – don’t shoot
Be sure of your target and be aware of livestock in the area, ATV’s operating and other hunters/shooter and the location of camp sites and campers.
f. All firearms are to be made “safe” and unloaded prior to coming into the camp area.
g. When hunting with a motorized vehicle, firearms shall not have a chambered round.
h. Please do not use large caliber rifles when shooting at the metal targets.
i. Do not place targets on trees or shoot at trees.
j. Shooting or hunting at night or after dark is not permitted.
VIII. CONDUCT
a. Please be respectful and considerate of the lessees and their cattle.
b. Trespassing on neighboring private property is prohibited, unless prior written approval is obtained from land owner.
c. Fireworks of any kind are prohibited on the property.
d. Underaged drinking of alcoholic beverages and open containers in vehicles is prohibited.
e. Cutting of downed dead trees for firewood is permissible for family use only.
f. Minor inconspicuous trimming/cutting of live trees or shrubbery is permitted to help facilitate safe road passage.
g. Alterations of Ranch property is not allowed with the exception of road/camp maintenance and fence repair/replacement.
h. Memorials are permissible. However, they shouldn’t be in view of established roads, or be an intrusion on other family members or visitors.
i. There are pockets of BLM and private property within or accessible from the Kerckhoff Ranch Company. The Kerckhoff Ranch Company is not permitting access or granting permission for access to those properties through the Kerckhoff Ranch.
j. All California State and Federal laws apply to the property of the Kerckhoff Ranch Company. Some exceptions may apply to bag limits when hunting to preserve the game. See the hunting section VII item d.
IX. VIOLATIONS
a. Any shareholder or family member who is aware of any violation of the Ranch Rules of Visitation should notify any Board Member immediately or as soon as possible.
b. Any violation of the Ranch rules or California State Laws or other inappropriate or unsafe behavior may result in suspension of all visiting privileges.
c. POs shall be personally liable for any property damage or personal injury resulting from careless, willful or negligent acts committed by themselves, their children or their guests. Offenders may be obligated to pay the Ranch restitution for the cost of such damage or personal injury.
X. HAZARDS
The Ranch is a beautiful place to visit. However, it is not without its risks and vulnerabilities to
accidents that can cause serious injury to include death. The following hazards have been
identified as the most common dangers but are not limited to
h. Rattlesnakes, Mountain Lions, Bears, Coyotes to name a few.
i. River Water
EMERGENCY INFORMATION/CONTACTS
In the event of an emergency, transportation to the City of Arroyo Grande is 45 to 60 minutes. Access to cellular service is not provided at the Ranch. However, some higher location cellular service is available, depending on your location and your service provider. It shouldn’t be a service that you are relying on. If you should locate service, emergency numbers are below.
San Luis Obispo Sheriff Department
South Station 1 805 473-7100
California Highway Patrol
Non-emergency 1 800 835-5247
Emergency 911
California Fish and Game
Game Warden 1 888 334-2258
Local Board Member
Greg Kerckhoff 1 805 489-6973
Any accidents or incident leading to property damage or personal injury, no matter how small, shall be reported to any Board of Director within 24 hours.
BOARD OF DIRECTOR
See website kranchco.com for current directors
Revised/Reference Board Minutes May 23rd, October 17, 2020 and July 31, 2021 Meetings