Ricketts’ latest ‘guest ranch’ request raises concerns

Then, on Tuesday, the Sublette County Board of County Commissioners considered the latest play from the TD Ameritrade founder, whose family owns the Chicago Cubs. He wants commissioners to give him the go-ahead to run a guest ranch across 1,300 acres of his Jackson Fork Ranch – as opposed to the 478 acres where it’s permitted now – while incorporating the 160-or-so-acre Dead Shot Ranch. Ricketts has raised white bison on the 1,300-acre ranch. If he incorporates the Dead Shot, Ricketts would add an 8,000-square-foot eight-bedroom “cabin,” a 6,000-square-foot “dining pavilion” and a new youth bunkhouse to the smaller guest ranch operation. Up to 50 guests could stay on the Dead Shot at a time.