Buffalo Bill Cody acquired the ranch in the late 1800s and named it the TE Ranch. The Duncan family purchased it in the early 1970s, and the Bales have managed it for more than 20 years. The working cattle ranch is home to numerous big game species including deer, elk and bighorn sheep.

The ranch provides prime winter range for wildlife migrating out of the backcountry, along with summer transitional range.

Owners and managers have willingly allowed Game and Fish personnel access to help manage grizzly bears and wolves that frequent the ranch, and have worked to avoid bear-human conflicts throughout the property. It also has worked with Game and Fish towards brucellosis management.