Thanks to the hard work of Colorado Parks and Wildlife, over one million people enjoy licensed hunting and fishing every year in the Centennial State. While the total number of issued hunting licenses continues to decrease nationwide, Colorado remains home to world-class big game, small game, and waterfowl hunting in over 350 state parks and designated wildlife areas.
Annually, all of Colorado’s unique big game hunting seasons are typically held during the same general time frame, though the dates of specific seasons may be slightly different each year. So get your gear together and mark your calendars as we explore Colorado’s hunting seasons for every species large and small.
- Primary draw applications close 4/6/2021 at 8 p.m. MT.
- The secondary draw application deadline is 6/30/2021 at 8 p.m. MT.
Colorado Big Game Hunting Seasons
To hunt big game, all participants must first purchase a qualifying license through Colorado Parks and Wildlife, or from one of the many retail sellers across the state. Licenses are typically made available on the 1st of March each year. Prior to application, participants must purchase a Habitat Stamp, and those born after January 1, 1949, must also possess a Hunter Education Certificate.
Once a qualifying license is acquired, prospective big game hunters, including youth participants, can enter into the primary permit draw which is typically held in mid to late May. Those not chosen in the primary draw are welcome to enter into a secondary draw conducted in July, and any remaining unused licenses are typically made available in August.
To hunt specific big game species in Colorado, dates are finalized in January for individual archery, muzzleloader, and rifle seasons. Both residents and non-residents are required to purchase specific big game tags for deer, elk, pronghorn, moose, and bear.
Plains Deer (east of I-25, except Unit 140)
Colorado’s deer population is essentially divided into two distinct groups, with those east of Interstate 25 classified as “plains deer” or “grassland deer.” While rifle season is fairly short for deer hunting on Colorado’s eastern plains, sportsmen and sportswomen have their choice of three archery seasons throughout the fall and early winter.
- Archery season (2021): October 1–29, November 10–30, and December 15–31
- Muzzleloader season (2021): October 9–17
- Rifle season (2021): October 30–November 9
Deer (West of I-25 and Unit 140) & Elk
West of the interstate, deer and elk are typically grouped together in the same big game hunting seasons. Compared to plains deer, there are many more opportunities for rifle hunting both deer and elk in Colorado’s wildlife areas west of the interstate.
Colorado has the largest state elk population, which attracts many local and out-of-state hunters hoping to bag the popular big-game species. With world-class buck hunting available well into the fall, it is easy to participate with over-the-counter licenses issued to both residents and nonresidents.
- Archery season (2021): September 2–September 30
- Muzzleloader season (2021): September 11–19
- Rifle season (2021): October 16–20, October 30–November 7, November 13–19, and November 24–28
Pronghorn
Until recently, pronghorn, also known as the American antelope, outnumbered people in northern Colorado and Wyoming. Today, a healthy population remains for legal hunting in a limited season. Pronghorn archery season is usually held for about one month beginning in mid-August, with hunting exclusively for bucks until September 1st.
- Archery season (2021): August 15-September 20 (bucks only from August 15-31)
- Muzzleloader season (2021): September 21–29
- Rifle season (2021): October 2–10 (by draw only)
Black Bear
To the surprise of many, black bear hunting is perfectly legal in Colorado during the designated season. Typically launching in early September, black bear permits can be obtained through big game draws as well as over the counter in late August. With success, any hunted black bear or moose must be personally inspected in a CPW office.
- Archery and by draw rifle season (2021): September 2–30
- Muzzleloader season (2021): September 11–19
- Rifle season (2021): October 16–20, October 30–November 7, November 13–19, and November 24–28
Moose
At over $2,000 for non-residents, moose hunting licenses are the most expensive big game permit issued in Colorado. Participants are permitted one bull moose as a lifetime bag limit, and every licensed moose hunter is required to file a report with the CPW at the end of the season, regardless of results.
- Archery season (2021): September 11–30
- Muzzleloader season (2021): September 11–19
- Rifle season: (2021) October 1–14
Bighorn Sheep & Mountain Goat
Categorically separate from the rest of Colorado’s big game, both bighorn sheep and mountain goat hunting licenses are available in very limited quantities. Applicants must submit their paperwork by April or May (May 4th in 2021) with successful permits announced shortly thereafter.
Bighorn sheep, mountain goats, and moose permits are awarded through a preference point system, designed to help experienced hunters increase their chances of being drawn. Licenses are very limited, and typically only one or two tags are available for each species across the state’s permitted hunting zones.
- Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep archery season (2021): August 1 – December 31
- Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep rifle season (2021): August 9 – December 17
- Desert bighorn sheep rifle season (2021): November 1-30
- Mountain goat archery season (2021): September 7 – October 31
- Mountain goat rifle season (2021): September 7 – October 31
Colorado Small Game & Bird Hunting Seasons
In Colorado, hunting small game and waterfowl is much less competitive than big game species. Small game hunting licenses are offered at low rates, remaining active from April 1st to March 31st the following year. It is also common for small game hunters to purchase one-day permits or bundle their small game permissions with an annual fishing license.
Like with big game permits, all small game applicants are also required to carry a Habitat Stamp and proof of hunter education. All purchases can be made at local retailers as well as CPW offices, online, or by phone at 1-800-244-5613.
Small Game Mammals and Reptiles
For small game hunting, permitted hunters may use rifles, bows, airguns, and slingshots unless otherwise noted by the CPW. In 2021, a new furbearer harvest permit is required for most small game animals, with the exception of non-mammal species such as snakes and turtles.
Small game hunting is permitted one half-hour before sunrise to one half-hour after sunset. Here, exceptions are made for nocturnal species such as coyotes, bobcats, skunks, beavers, foxes, and raccoons, which can be hunted throughout the night.
Small game and waterfowl hunting reservations can be made ahead of time for many of the state’s wildlife areas by phone or online through the CPW’s website. Both daily bag and possession limits are highly variable between species.
- Abert’s squirrels season (2020): November 15 – January 15, 2021
- Beaver season (2020): October 1 – April 30, 2021
- Bobcat season (2020): December 1 – end of February 2021
- Common snapping turtle season (2020): Apr. 1 – October 31 (permitted with strictly fishing license as well)
- Cottontails, snowshoe hare, white-tailed & black-tailed jackrabbits season (2020): October 1 – end of February 2021
- Coyote season: Year-round
- Pine and fox squirrels season (2020): October 1 – end of February 2021
- Marmot season (2020): August 10 – October 15
- Black-tailed, white-tailed & Gunnison’s prairie dogs season (2020): June 15 – end of February 2021
- Prairie rattlesnake season (2020): Jun. 15 – August 15
- Richardson’s (Wyoming) ground squirrel season: Year-round
- Mink, badger, skunks, opossum, muskrat, weasels, foxes, ring-tailed cat, and pine marten season (2020): November 1 to end of February 2021.
Turkey
In Colorado, there are two turkey hunting seasons: one in the fall and another in the spring. Fall applications are generally accepted until late May (the 28th in 2021), and the spring deadline typically falls on Groundhog’s Day, February 2nd. Beyond what is permitted in state wildlife areas and parks, some late-season turkey hunting is also permitted on private land.
- Spring season (2021): April 10 – May 31
- Fall season (2021): September 1 – October 29
Waterfowl and Migratory Bird Hunting
Beyond turkey hunting, Colorado offers long waterfowl and migratory bird seasons with various bag and possession limits. No matter where you are in the state, waterfowl hunters are required to contact the Utility Notification Center of Colorado before digging pits at 1-800-922-1987.
- Band-tailed pigeon season (2020): September 1 – 14 (extra permit required through CPW)
- Chukar partridge season (2020): September 1 – November 30
- Crow season (2020): November 1 – end of February 2021
- Mourning and white-winged doves season (2020): September 1 – November 29
- Eurasian-collared dove season: Year-round
- European starlings, English, and house sparrows season (2020): Year-round
- Greater prairie-chicken season (2020): October 1 – January 3, 2021
- Dusky Blue Grouse season (2020): September 1 – November 22
- Greater sage-grouse season (2020): September 12-18
- Mountain (Columbian) sharp-tailed grouse season (2020): September 1 – 20
- Pheasant season (2020): November 14 – January 31, 2021 (east of 1-25 only from January 4-31)
- Northern bobwhite, Gambel’s & scaled quail season (2020): November 14 – January 31, 2021
- Sandhill crane season (2020): October 3 – November 29 (federal permit required www.colohip.com)
- Sora and Virginia rail season (2020): September 1 – November 9
- Tea season (2020)l: September 12 – 20
- White-tailed ptarmigan season (2020): September 12 – November 22
- Wilson’s snipe season (2020): September 1 – December 16
For both residents and out-of-state visitors, Colorado Parks and Wildlife will always be the best source of information for up-to-date hunting fees, laws, and information. In preparation for your next trip, feel free to explore some of Colorado’s most popular hunting areas.
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