Discover the 2025–2026 Colorado Hunting Seasons for a one-of-a-kind outdoor adventure. To help you organize the perfect outdoor trip, we’ve provided helpful information about the Centennial State’s latest games and schedules in this page.
Colorado Hunting Seasons 2025
The big game typically begins in late August and continues through December, while the small game schedule typically begins in October and continues until April.
All dates subject to regulation changes. Verify with Colorado Parks & Wildlife (CPW) before planning.
🏹 Big Game Seasons
1. Archery
| Species | Dates | Zones | License Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elk, Deer, Bear | Sep 2 – Sep 30 | West of I-25 & Unit 140 | OTC & Limited Draw |
| Pronghorn | Sep 2 – Sep 30 | Select Units | Limited Draw Only |
Note: Non-resident archery elk tags now require a draw.
2. Muzzleloader
| Species | Dates | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Elk, Deer | Sep 13 – Sep 21 | Limited Draw |
3. Rifle Seasons
| Season | Dates | Species | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Rifle | Oct 15 – Oct 19 | Elk Only | 5 Days |
| Second Rifle | Oct 25 – Nov 2 | Elk & Deer | 9 Days |
| Third Rifle | Nov 8 – Nov 16 | Elk & Deer | 7 Days |
| Fourth Rifle | Nov 19 – Nov 23 | Elk & Deer | 5 Days |
| Plains Rifle | Oct 25 – Nov 4 | Elk & Deer | Eastern CO |
🦃 Turkey Seasons
1. Spring Turkey
| Segment | Dates | License Type |
|---|---|---|
| General Season | Apr 12 – May 31 | OTC & Limited |
| Youth Hunts | Apr 5 – Apr 11 | Mentor Required |
2. Fall Turkey
| Type | Dates |
|---|---|
| General Season | Sep 1 – Oct 31 |
| Late Season | Dec 15 – Jan 15 |
🦫 Furbearer & Small Game
1. Furbearer Seasons
| Species | Dates |
|---|---|
| Fox, Raccoon, Skunk | Nov 1 – Feb 28 |
| Beaver | Oct 1 – Apr 30 |
| Bobcat | Dec 1 – Feb 28 |
2. Small Game
| Species | Dates | Daily Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Rabbits & Hares | Sep 1 – Mar 31 | 10 |
| Squirrels | Sep 1 – Mar 31 | 5 |
| Quail | Nov 11 – Jan 31 | 8 |
🦆 Waterfowl Seasons
1. Duck & Coot Zones
| Zone | Dates |
|---|---|
| Western Zone | Oct 5–22 & Nov 6–Jan 31 |
| Eastern Zone | Oct 5 – Jan 17 |
| Mountain Zone | Sep 30–Nov 26 & Dec 25–Jan 31 |
2. Goose Seasons
| Type | Dates | Daily Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Dark Geese | Nov 4 – Feb 16 | 5 |
| Light Geese | Nov 2 – Feb 16 | 50 |
🎯 Other Game
1. Mountain Lion
| Season | Dates |
|---|---|
| General Season | Nov 24 – Mar 31 |
2. Year-Round Hunting
| Species | Notes |
|---|---|
| Eurasian Collared Dove | No Limit |
| Crow | Nov 1 – Feb 28 |
Always check CPW for the latest regulations and unit-specific rules.
Each hunting license and geographic region has its own season opening and closing dates. Pages 4–7 of the booklet have useful tables with further information. Certain licenses have time restrictions and may only be utilized during certain periods. There are optimal times for shooting, and you should be aware of such times.
For Complete hunting rule category wise, find the list of regulation brochure below:
For more list of brochures visit the cpw.state.co.us website.
Safety and Consideration for for Outdoor Recreation
| Aspects | Information |
|---|---|
| Outdoor Activities | Colorado promotes hunting, hiking, riding, wildlife watching, and more. |
| Support for Wildlife Management | 70% of wildlife management funding come from hunting and fishing. |
| Preparation for Nonhunters | Nonhunters should know hunting season dates and safety advice. Fluorescent clothing is advised. |
| Respect and Courtesy | It's prohibited to harass hunters. All outdoor users deserve respect and civility. |
| Hunters and Conservation | Hunters are vital to wildlife conservation and CWD control. |
| Hunting Season Expectations | The hard northwest winter lessened hunting pressure. The Eastern Plains improved after rain. |
| Hunting Forecast | Despite hurdles, hunters have a good hunting prediction. |
| Small Game License | Small game permits have caliber limits during large game rifle seasons. |
| Planning Your Hunt | CPW's Hunting Atlas includes locations, maps, migratory pathways, and OHV paths. Extra licenses are available. |
| Contact Information | Call center agents and hunt planners are available for assistance. |
Frequently Asked Questions
When is it often legal to go hunting in Colorado?
Late August through December is prime time for big game, whereas October through April is prime time for small game.
Do I need a license to hunt in Colorado?
Absolutely everyone, regardless of age or residence status, needs a license to go hunting in Colorado. The hunters must also follow any extra rules that apply to the species they are targeting.
What are the different species of game animals in Colorado?
Elk, deer, bear, pronghorn, bighorn sheep, mountain lion, and many more kinds of game animals call Colorado home.
Do I need a permit to hunt on Colorado's public lands?
While the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Property Management both permit hunting on public land in Colorado, hunters must still follow any restrictions that apply to that particular parcel of land.
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