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We set out to create the most simplified guide to Colorado hunting seasons for 2023.
Want to find out season dates, learn about regulations and bag limits, understand license requirements, and get access helpful links?
Then you’ll love the info outlined in today’s guide. Let’s dive right in.
Hunting in Colorado offers the opportunity to be up close and personal with bears, moose, elk and more with the mountains that it provides. It has a unique climate about it and animals that are meant for the rocky area.
Archery season kicks off the date on Sept 1, Next Muzzleloader on Sept 11 followed by four rounds of rifle starting Oct 9, Oct 23, Nov 6 and Nov 17. The Primary Draw deadline is April 7 and the Secondary draw correction deadline is July 17.
In general Colorado is divided into hunting areas called game management units. In general for deer, elk and bear hunting archery season starts in early September and lasts almost a month. Muzzleloader season starts in the middle of archery season and four rifle seasons follow that. Hunting season is divided into zones based on the species, what you hunt with and when you hunt.
Big Game: Deer, Bear, Elk, Pronghorn Sheep, Goat
Small Game: Squirrel, Snapping Turtle, Rabbit, Hare, Jackrabbit, Marmot, Prairie Dog, Rattlesnake, Fox, Pine, Coyote
Bird: Band tailed Pigeon, Chukar, Crow, Dove, Starling, Greater Prairie Chicken, Grouse, Pheasant, Rai Soral, Quail, Crane, White tailed Ptarmigan, Snipe, Waterfowl
In general Colorado is divided into hunting areas called game management units. In general for deer, elk and bear hunting archery season starts in early September and lasts almost a month. Muzzleloader season starts in the middle of archery season and four rifle seasons follow that. Hunting season is divided into zones based on the species, what you hunt with and when you hunt.
Elk Seasons Overview:
Archery Sept 2-30
Muzzleloaders Sept 11-19
Rifle Oct 16-20, Oct 30-Nov 7, Nov 13-19 and Nov 24-28
Deer Seasons Overview:
Archery Sept 2-30
Muzzleloaders Sept 11-19
Rifle Oct 30-Nov 7, Nov 13-19, Nov 24-28
Fall: Sept. 1-Oct. 29 (varies by zone)
Beaver: Oct. 1-Apr. 30
Bobcat: Dec. 1-Feb. 28
Rabbit: Oct. 1-Feb. 28
Fox and Pine Squirrel: Oct. 1-Feb. 28
Marmot: Aug. 10-Oct. 15
Prairie Dogs: June 15-Feb. 28
Prairie Rattlesnake: June 15-Aug. 15
Wyoming Ground Squirrel & Coyote: Open season
See the map below for a breakdown of Colorado's hunting zones:
Bag limits vary so much by what and where you are hunting you will need to refer to the Colorado Parks and Wildlife website.
A current-year qualifying license is required in order to apply for any of the big game draws.
Each year you can apply for big game draws to get a limited license as well as after draws are over you can purchase a remaining limited license on sale. License for elk, pronghorn and bear are available without needing to enter the draws.
Official State Site: https://cpw.state.co.us/
Elk season in Colorado is Sept 2 - 30 for Archery and Oct 16 - Nov 28 for rifle but dates vary zone.
Deer hunting season starts in Colorado as early as Sept 2 but will vary depending on zone, weapon and what you are hunting.
Colorado's archery season is Sept 2 - 30 for deer and will vary by zone and what you are hunting.
