Hunting

Come hunt with us! With more than 23 million acres of public land, Colorado is an outdoor enthusiast's paradise.​
Small game hunting
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Video: Hunting Colorado's Public Lands

Hunting Access

Hunting Colorado's Public Lands

An overview of big game, small game and waterfowl hunting on Colorado's public lands. Including National Forests, Bureau of Land Management, State Wildlife Areas, State Trust Lands, State Parks.

Be in the Know

Important Hunting Dates, Deadlines and Reminders

September 14

12:01am MDT

Muzzleloader Deer Season Opens

September 14

12:01am MDT

Muzzleloader Elk Season Opens

September 14

12:01am MDT

Muzzleloader Black Bear OTC and/or Limited Season Opens

September 14

12:01am MDT

Grouse: Greater Sage, 1st and 2nd Seasons Open

September 14

12:01am MDT

White-Tailed Ptarmigan, 1st and 2nd Seasons Open

September 14

12:01am MDT

Moose Muzzleloader Season Opens

September 21

12:01am MDT

Muzzleloader Pronghorn Season Opens

October 1

12:01am MDT

Beaver Season Opens

October 1

12:01am MDT

Cottontail Rabbit, Snowshoe Hare, Jackrabbit: White-tailed, Black-tailed Seasons Open

October 1

12:01am MDT

Squirrel: Fox, Pine Seasons Open

October 1

12:01am MDT

Greater Prairie Chicken Season Opens

October 1

12:01am MDT

Moose Rifle Season Opens

October 5

12:01am MDT

Sandhill Crane Season Opens

October 5

12:01am MDT

Rifle Pronghorn Season Opens

October 12

12:01am MDT

Rifle Elk Limited, 1st Season Opens

October 12

12:01am MDT

Rifle Black Bear OTC and/or Limited, 1st Season Opens

October 26

12:01am MDT

Rifle Deer, 2nd Season Opens

October 26

12:01am MDT

Rifle Elk, 2nd Season Opens

October 26

12:01am MDT

Rifle Black Bear OTC and/or Limited, 2nd Season Opens

November 1

12:01am MDT

Badger, Mink, Pine Marten, Gray Fox, Red Fox, Swift Fox, Raccoon & Ring-Tailed Cat Seasons Open

November 1

12:01am MDT

Striped Skunk, Western Spotted Skunk, Long-Tailed Weasel, Short-Tailed Weasel, Opossum & Muskrat Seasons Open

November 1

12:01am MDT

Crow Season Opens

November 9

12:01am MST

Rifle Deer, 3rd Season Opens

November 9

12:01am MST

Rifle Elk, 3rd Season Opens

November 9

12:01am MST

Rifle Black Bear OTC and/or Limited, 3rd Season Opens

November 9

12:01am MST

Pheasant 1st and 2nd Seasons Open

November 9

12:01am MST

Quail: Northern Bobwhite, Scaled, Gamble’s; 1st, 2nd and 3rd Seasons Open

November 15

12:01am MST

Abert’s Squirrel Season Opens

November 20

12:01am MST

Rifle Deer Limited, 4th Season Opens

November 20

12:01am MST

Rifle Elk Limited, 4th Season Opens

November 20

12:01am MST

Rifle Black Bear OTC and/or Limited, 4th Season Opens

November 25

12:01am MST

Mountain Lion Season Opens

December 1

12:01am MST

Bobcat Season Opens

December 15

12:01am MST

Turkey Late Season Opens

January 1

12:01am MST

Coyote Season Open Year-round

June 15

12:01am MDT

Prairie Dog: White-tailed, Black-tailed, Gunnison’s - Public Land Seasons Open

June 15

12:01am MDT

Prairie Rattlesnake Season Opens

August 10

12:01am MDT

Marmot Season Opens

Note: Always check your physical license and the Colorado Big Game Brochure for specific hunting dates.

New to hunting in Colorado?

Colorado law requires that anyone born on or after January 1, 1949, complete an approved hunter education course before applying for or buying a Colorado hunting license.

C​olo​rado Parks and Wildlife Hunter Education Courses, led by certified volunteer hunter education instructors and/or CPW staff, are offered throughout the state year-round.

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Course Options

Hunter education extends beyond hunters, serving as a valuable program for outdoor enthusiasts with an interest in conservation. From traditional classroom courses to online/classroom combination courses, there is a class option for every student.

Find an option that works for you.
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Grow Your Skills

Learning does not end when you complete your hunter education course. Continue to grow your skills and knowledge through hunter outreach opportunities.

Explore hunter outreach opportunuities.

Colorado Hunting Opportunities

Explore Colorado's Hunting Opportunities!

Sep

12

Wildflower Hike and SURVIVE IN THE WILD Seeds, Berries & Roots

Thursday, Sep 12

Staunton State Park

Walk with a Native Plant Master through the changing Fall colors. Discover interesting documented historical uses of our native plants by settlers, natives and wildlife in their winter survival.

Sep

12

Registration Required:

Event participants must register

Wildflower Hike and SURVIVE IN THE WILD Seeds, Berries & Roots

Thursday, Sep 12

Staunton State Park

Walk with a Native Plant Master through the changing Fall colors. Discover interesting documented historical uses of our native plants by settlers, natives and wildlife in their winter survival.

Sep

12

Tracks and Scat Scavenger Hunt

Thursday, Sep 12

Mueller State Park

Search for tracks and scat of common animals found at the park and use your detective skills to determine what animals made which.

Sep

12

Registration Required:

Event participants must register

Tracks and Scat Scavenger Hunt

Thursday, Sep 12

Mueller State Park

Search for tracks and scat of common animals found at the park and use your detective skills to determine what animals made which.

Sep

12

Humble Homes of Mueller

Thursday, Sep 12

Mueller State Park

Do you know how people lived in the park? Come learn about the different types of homes that people had in history.

Sep

12

Registration Required:

Event participants must register

Humble Homes of Mueller

Thursday, Sep 12

Mueller State Park

Do you know how people lived in the park? Come learn about the different types of homes that people had in history.

Sep

12

Wildflower Hike and SURVIVE IN THE WILD Seeds, Berries & Roots

Thursday, Sep 12

Staunton State Park

Walk with a Native Plant Master through the changing Fall colors. Discover interesting documented historical uses of our native plants by settlers, natives and wildlife in their winter survival.

Sep

12

Registration Required:

Event participants must register

Wildflower Hike and SURVIVE IN THE WILD Seeds, Berries & Roots

Thursday, Sep 12

Staunton State Park

Walk with a Native Plant Master through the changing Fall colors. Discover interesting documented historical uses of our native plants by settlers, natives and wildlife in their winter survival.

Sep

12

Tracks and Scat Scavenger Hunt

Thursday, Sep 12

Mueller State Park

Search for tracks and scat of common animals found at the park and use your detective skills to determine what animals made which.

Sep

12

Registration Required:

Event participants must register

Tracks and Scat Scavenger Hunt

Thursday, Sep 12

Mueller State Park

Search for tracks and scat of common animals found at the park and use your detective skills to determine what animals made which.

Sep

12

Humble Homes of Mueller

Thursday, Sep 12

Mueller State Park

Do you know how people lived in the park? Come learn about the different types of homes that people had in history.

Sep

12

Registration Required:

Event participants must register

Humble Homes of Mueller

Thursday, Sep 12

Mueller State Park

Do you know how people lived in the park? Come learn about the different types of homes that people had in history.