Discover the 2023–2024 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 2023-2024
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.
Big Game Overview
CPW's Update | Information |
---|---|
Changes in Big-Game Hunting | Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) announces "unprecedented" changes in the northwest region's big-game hunting. |
Reason for Changes | A historically harsh winter in the region severely affected elk, deer, and pronghorn due to deep snow and food shortages. |
Hunting Season Dates | First rifle season in the "severe winter zone" is from Oct. 14-18, with other openings in late October and November (Oct. 28-Nov.4, Nov. 11-17 and Nov. 22-26). |
Impact on Animal Survival | Collared elk had the lowest survival rates ever documented, and deer and pronghorn faced similar devastation. |
Reduction in Licenses | In the "severe winter zone," there will be significant reductions in elk(up to 89% reduction), deer(up to 94% reduction), and pronghorn licenses (up to 83% reduction). |
Financial Impact | CPW acknowledges the financial effect on its operations and regional economies, which depend on revenues from hunting and fishing license sales. |
Reminder for Other Outdoor Activities | CPW reminds hikers, cyclists, and off-roaders about shared lands and the possibility of increased hunting activity in different areas. |
Deer
eason Type | Location/Unit | Season Dates |
Archery Deer | West of I-25 and Unit 140 | Sept. 2–30* |
Plains deer (east of I-25, except Unit 140) | Oct. 1–25, Nov. 6–30, Dec. 15–31 | |
Whitetail-only (limited) | Oct. 1–25, Nov. 6–30, Dec. 15–31 | |
Muzzleloader Deer | Statewide (by draw only) | Sept. 14 – 22* |
Plains deer (east of I-25, except Unit 140) | Oct. 12–20 | |
Whitetail-only (limited) | Oct. 12–20 | |
Rifle Deer | 2nd season | Oct. 26 – Nov. 3 |
3rd season | Nov. 9 – 15 | |
4th season | Nov. 20 – 24 | |
Plains deer (east of I-25, except Unit 140) | Oct. 26–Nov. 5 | |
Late plains deer (east of I-25, except Unit 140) | Dec. 1–14 | |
Whitetail-only (limited) | Oct. 26–Nov. 5 | |
Late Whitetail-only (limited) | Dec. 1–14 |
Elk
Season Type | Location/Unit | Season Dates |
Archery Elk | West of I-25 and Unit 140 | Sept. 2–30* |
Muzzleloader Elk | Statewide (by draw only) | Sept. 14 – 22* |
Rifle Elk | Period 1 | Oct. 12 – 16 |
Period 2 | Oct. 26 – Nov. 3 | |
Period 3 | Nov. 9 – 15 | |
Period 4 | Nov. 20 – 24 |
Moose
Archery | Statewide | Sept. 7–30 |
Muzzleloader | Statewide (by draw only) | Sept. 14 – 22* |
Rifle Moose | Statewide | Oct. 1–14 |
Pronghorn
Archery | Limited) | Aug. 15-20 or Aug. 15-20 & Sept. 1-20 (split season) |
bucks only (OTC) | Aug. 15-31 | |
Either sex (OTC) | Sept. 1-20 | |
Muzzleloader | Statewide (by draw only) | Sept. 21–29 |
Rifle Pronghorn | limited | Oct. 5 – 13* |
Black Bear
Archery | OTC and/or limited | Sept. 2–30 |
Muzzleloader | Sept. 14 – 22 | |
Rifle | Bear Sept. (limited) | Sept. 2–30 |
Period 1: (OTC and/or limited) | Oct. 12 – 16 | |
Period 2: (OTC and/or limited) | Oct. 26 – Nov. 3 | |
Period 3: (OTC and/or limited) | Nov. 9 – 15 | |
Period 4: (OTC and/or limited) | Nov. 20 – 24 | |
Bear Private-Land-Only (OTC) | Sept. 2–Nov. 24* |
Mountain Goats & Sheep
Rocky Mtn. Bighorn Sheep | Statewide | Aug. 1 – Dec. 31* |
Desert Bighorn Sheep | Nov. 1 – 30 | |
Mountain Goat | Sept. 3 – Oct. 31* |
Furbearer Season
Coyote
1-Jan | 31-Dec | Unlimited bag and possession limit |
Beaver
1-Oct | 30-Apr | Unlimited bag and possession limit |
Bobcat
1-Dec | End of February | Unlimited bag and possession limit |
Badger
1-Nov | End of February | Unlimited bag and possession limit |
Mink
1-Nov | End of February | Unlimited bag and possession limit |
Pine Marten
1-Nov | End of February | No Possession and bag Limit |
Fox
Gray | 1-Nov | End of February | Unlimited bag and possession limit |
Red | |||
Swift |
Raccoon
1-Nov | End of February | No Possession and bag restrictions |
Ring-Tailed Cat
1-Nov | End of February | No Possession and bag Limit |
Skunk
Striped Skunk | 1-Nov till End of February | No Possession and bag Limit |
Western Spotted Skunk |
Weasel
Long-Tailed | 1-Nov till End of February | No Possession and bag Limit |
Short-Tailed |
Opossum
1-Nov | End of February | No Possession and bag Limit |
Muskrat
1-Nov | End of February | Unlimited bag and possession limit |
Waterfowl Season
Goose
Flyway/Zone | Season Type | Area | Dates | Daily Bag Limit | Possession Limit |
Central Flyway | Dark Goose | East of the Continental Divide (except special areas) | Nov. 4–Feb. 16, 2025 | 5 | 15 |
Light Goose | East of the Continental Divide (except special areas) | Nov. 2–Feb. 16, 2025 | 50 | Unlimited | |
Light Goose Conservation Order | East of I-25 | Feb. 17, 2025–April 30, 2025 | Unlimited | Unlimited | |
North Park – Dark Goose | Jackson Co. | Oct. 5–Jan. 17, 2025 | 5 | 15 | |
North Park – Light Goose | Jackson Co. | Nov. 2–Feb. 16, 2025 | 50 | Unlimited | |
San Luis Valley – Dark Goose | Alamosa, Conejos, Costilla, Rio Grande counties, and parts of Archuleta, Hinsdale, etc. | Oct. 5–23; Nov. 23–Feb. 16, 2025 | 5 | 15 | |
San Luis Valley – Light Goose | Alamosa, Conejos, Costilla, Rio Grande counties, and parts of Archuleta, Hinsdale, etc. | Nov. 2–Feb. 16, 2025 | 50 | Unlimited | |
South Park – Dark Goose | Chaffee, Custer, Fremont, Lake, Park, Teller counties | Oct. 5–Jan. 17, 2025 | 5 | 15 | |
South Park – Light Goose | Chaffee, Custer, Fremont, Lake, Park, Teller counties | Nov. 2–Feb. 16, 2025 | 50 | Unlimited | |
Pacific Flyway | Early Canada Goose | West of the Continental Divide | Sept. 1–9, annually | 5 | 15 |
Western Zone | Dark Goose | West of the Continental Divide (not included in Eastern Zone) | Oct. 5–13; Nov. 6–Jan. 31, 2025 | 5 | 15 |
Western Zone | Light Goose | West of the Continental Divide (not included in Eastern Zone) | Oct. 5–13; Nov. 6–Jan. 31, 2025 | 10 | 30 |
Eastern Zone | Dark Goose | Routt, Grand, Summit, Eagle, Pitkin counties, and parts of Saguache, San Juan, Hinsdale, etc. | Oct. 5–Jan. 8, 2025 | 5 | 15 |
Eastern Zone | Light Goose | Routt, Grand, Summit, Eagle, Pitkin counties, and parts of Saguache, San Juan, Hinsdale, etc. | Oct. 5–Jan. 8, 2025 | 10 | 30 |
There is no longer a Goose Northern Front Range Zone. It is now a part of the larger Central Flyway Zone.
Duck and Coots
Season | Start Date | End Date |
Northeast Zone | 19-Oct-24 | 1-Dec-24 |
11-Dec-24 | 31-Jan-25 | |
Southeast Zone | 28-Oct-24 | 31-Jan-25 |
Mountain/Foothills Zone | 5-Oct-24 | 1-Dec-24 |
25-Dec-24 | 31-Jan-25 | |
Western Zone | 5-Oct-24 | 22-Oct-24 |
6-Nov-24 | 31-Jan-25 | |
Eastern Zone | 5-Oct-24 | 17-Jan-25 |
September Teal | 14-Sep-24 | 22-Sep-24 |
Turkey
Spring | April 13th to May 31st |
Fall | September 1st to October 25th |
Late Season | December 15th to January 15th |
Mountain Lion
Statewide | Nov. 25, 2024–March 31, 2025 |
Small Game
Species | Season Dates | Daily Bag Limit | Possession Limit |
Abert’s Squirrel | Nov. 15–Jan. 15, annually | 2 | 4 |
Common Snapping Turtle | April 1–Oct. 31, annually | Unlimited | Unlimited |
Cottontail Rabbit | Oct. 1–end of Feb., annually | 10 of each species | 20 of each species |
Snowshoe Hare | Oct. 1–end of Feb., annually | 10 of each species | 20 of each species |
Jackrabbit (White-Tailed, Black-Tailed) | Oct. 1–end of Feb., annually | 10 of each species | 20 of each species |
Marmot | Aug. 10–Oct. 15, annually | 2 | 4 |
Prairie Dog (White-Tailed, Black-Tailed, Gunnison’s) | Public Land: June 15–end of Feb., annually | Unlimited | Unlimited |
Prairie Dog (White-Tailed, Black-Tailed, Gunnison’s) | Private Land: Year-round | Unlimited | Unlimited |
Prairie Rattlesnake | June 15–Aug. 15, annually | 3 | 6 |
Fox Squirrel, Pine Squirrel | Oct. 1–end of Feb., annually | 5 of each species | 10 of each species |
Wyoming (Richardson’s) Ground Squirrel | Year-round | Unlimited | Unlimited |
Coyote | Year-round | Unlimited | Unlimited |
Birds
Species | Season Dates | Area | Daily Bag Limit | Possession Limit |
Band-Tailed Pigeon | Sept. 1–14, annually | Statewide | 2 | 6 |
Chukar Partridge | Sept. 1–Nov. 30, annually | Statewide | 4 | 12 |
Crow | Nov. 1–end of Feb. 2025 | Statewide | Unlimited | Unlimited |
Dove: Mourning, White-Winged | Sept. 1–Nov. 29, annually | Statewide | 15 singly or in aggregate | 45 singly or in aggregate |
Dove: Eurasian Collared | Year-round | Statewide | Unlimited | Unlimited |
European Starling, House Sparrow | Year-round | Statewide | Unlimited | Unlimited |
Greater Prairie-Chicken | Oct. 1–Jan. 31, annually | Specific GMUs and regions (detailed above) | 2 per day | 6 per year |
Grouse: Dusky (Blue) | Sept. 1–Nov. 24, 2024 | West of I-25 | 3 | 9 |
Grouse: Greater Sage (Season 1) | Sept. 14–20, 2024 | Specific GMUs and regions (detailed above) | 2 | 4 |
Grouse: Greater Sage (Season 2) | Sept. 14–15, 2024 | Specific GMUs and regions (detailed above) | 2 | 2 |
Grouse: Mountain Sharp-Tailed | Sept. 1–15, 2024 | Specific GMUs and regions (detailed above) | 2 | 4 |
Pheasant (Season 1) | Nov. 9–Jan. 31, 2025 | East of I-25 | 3 cocks | 9 cocks |
Pheasant (Season 2) | Nov. 9–Jan. 5, 2025 | West of I-25 | 3 cocks | 9 cocks |
Quail: Northern Bobwhite, Scaled, Gambel’s (Season 1) | Nov. 9–Jan. 31, 2025 | East of I-25 and south of I-70 from I-25 to Byers and Hwy. 36 from Byers to Kansas; parts of Pueblo, Fremont, Huerfano, El Paso, Las Animas counties | 8 of each species | 24 of each species |
Quail: Northern Bobwhite, Scaled, Gambel’s (Season 2) | Nov. 9–Jan. 5, 2025 | East of I-25 and north of I-70 from I-25 east to Byers and Hwy. 36 from Byers to Kansas | 8 of each species | 24 of each species |
Quail: Northern Bobwhite, Scaled, Gambel’s (Season 3) | Nov. 9–Jan. 5, 2025 | West of I-25 except areas in Pueblo, Fremont, Huerfano, El Paso, Las Animas counties | 8 of each species | 24 of each species |
Rail: Sora, Virginia | Sept. 1–Nov. 9, annually | Statewide | 25 singly or in aggregate | 75 singly or in aggregate |
Sandhill Crane | Oct. 5–Dec. 1, 2024 | East of the Continental Divide except North Park and San Luis Valley | 3 | 9 |
White-Tailed Ptarmigan (Season 1) | Sept. 14–Oct. 6, 2024 | Statewide except certain GMUs (detailed above) | 3 | 6 |
White-Tailed Ptarmigan (Season 2) | Sept. 14–Nov. 24, 2024 | Specific GMUs (detailed above) | 3 | 6 |
Wilson’s Snipe | Sept. 1–Dec. 16, annually | Statewide | 8 | 24 |
Hawking & Falconry
European starling, House sparrow, Eurasian collared-dove | Year-round | Statewide |
Cottontail rabbits, snowshoe hares, white-tailed & black-tailed jackrabbit | 1-Sep - 31-Mar | |
Chukar partridge | ||
Squirrels: Fox & pine | ||
Pheasant | ||
Quail: Northern bobwhite, scaled & Gambel's | ||
White-tailed ptarmigan | ||
Grouse: Dusky (Blue) | West of I-25 | |
Grouse: Mountain sharp-tailed (Also known as Columbian sharp-tailed grouse) | GMUs 4, 5, 12, 13, 14, 131, 211, 214, 441 | |
Grouse: Greater sage-grouse | GMUs 3, 11, 13, 18 except east of Colo 125 in Grand County, 27, 28 except north and east of Grand CR 50 (Church Park Rd) and US 40, 37, 181, 201, 211, 301 and 441; and in North Park (GMUs 6, 16, 17, 161 and 171) |
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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