Hunting

Come hunt with us! With more than 23 million acres of public land, Colorado is an outdoor enthusiast's paradise.

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

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.

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

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.

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!

Small Game

View Small Game Details

Big Game

View Big Game Details

Turkey

View Turkey Details

Lion

View Lion Details

Sep

Hug a Tree at Mueller

Friday, Sep 13

Mueller State Park

Basic survival and wilderness safety for kids (and parents). Ages 5 and up.

View Details

Sep

Registration Required:

Event participants must register

Hug a Tree at Mueller

Friday, Sep 13

Mueller State Park

Basic survival and wilderness safety for kids (and parents). Ages 5 and up.

View & Register

Sep

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.....at Jackson Lake

Friday, Sep 13

Jackson Lake State Park

Teach visitors about sustainable practices and how to reduce their environmental impact.

View Details

Sep

Registration Required:

Event participants must register

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.....at Jackson Lake

Friday, Sep 13

Jackson Lake State Park

Teach visitors about sustainable practices and how to reduce their environmental impact.

View & Register

Sep

Fall Birding Festival at Barr Lake

Saturday, Sep 14

Barr Lake State Park

Come celebrate the magic of birds and all they have to teach us! People of all ages and abilities can participate!

View Details

Sep

Registration Required:

Event participants must register

Fall Birding Festival at Barr Lake

Saturday, Sep 14

Barr Lake State Park

Come celebrate the magic of birds and all they have to teach us! People of all ages and abilities can participate!

View & Register

Sep

Hug a Tree at Mueller

Friday, Sep 13

Mueller State Park

Basic survival and wilderness safety for kids (and parents). Ages 5 and up.

View Details

Sep

Registration Required:

Event participants must register

Hug a Tree at Mueller

Friday, Sep 13

Mueller State Park

Basic survival and wilderness safety for kids (and parents). Ages 5 and up.

View & Register

Sep

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.....at Jackson Lake

Friday, Sep 13

Jackson Lake State Park

Teach visitors about sustainable practices and how to reduce their environmental impact.

View Details

Sep

Registration Required:

Event participants must register

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.....at Jackson Lake

Friday, Sep 13

Jackson Lake State Park

Teach visitors about sustainable practices and how to reduce their environmental impact.

View & Register

Sep

Fall Birding Festival at Barr Lake

Saturday, Sep 14

Barr Lake State Park

Come celebrate the magic of birds and all they have to teach us! People of all ages and abilities can participate!

View Details

Sep

Registration Required:

Event participants must register

Fall Birding Festival at Barr Lake

Saturday, Sep 14

Barr Lake State Park

Come celebrate the magic of birds and all they have to teach us! People of all ages and abilities can participate!

View & Register

Hunting

Hunting Colorado's Public Lands

Be in the Know

Important Hunting Dates, Deadlines and Reminders

Muzzleloader Deer Season Opens

Muzzleloader Elk Season Opens

Muzzleloader Black Bear OTC and/or Limited Season Opens

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

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

Moose Muzzleloader Season Opens

Muzzleloader Pronghorn Season Opens

Beaver Season Opens

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

Squirrel: Fox, Pine Seasons Open

Greater Prairie Chicken Season Opens

Moose Rifle Season Opens

Sandhill Crane Season Opens

Rifle Pronghorn Season Opens

Rifle Elk Limited, 1st Season Opens

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

Rifle Deer, 2nd Season Opens

Rifle Elk, 2nd Season Opens

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

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

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

Crow Season Opens

Rifle Deer, 3rd Season Opens

Rifle Elk, 3rd Season Opens

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

Pheasant 1st and 2nd Seasons Open

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

Abert’s Squirrel Season Opens

Rifle Deer Limited, 4th Season Opens

Rifle Elk Limited, 4th Season Opens

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

Mountain Lion Season Opens

Bobcat Season Opens

Turkey Late Season Opens

Coyote Season Open Year-round

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

Prairie Rattlesnake Season Opens

Marmot Season Opens

New to hunting in Colorado?

Course Options

Grow Your Skills

Colorado Hunting Opportunities

Explore Colorado's Hunting Opportunities!

Small Game

Big Game

Turkey

Lion

Waterfowl

Hunting with Hawks and Falcons

Furbearers

Hug a Tree at Mueller

Hug a Tree at Mueller

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.....at Jackson Lake

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.....at Jackson Lake

Fall Birding Festival at Barr Lake

Fall Birding Festival at Barr Lake

Hug a Tree at Mueller

Hug a Tree at Mueller

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.....at Jackson Lake

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.....at Jackson Lake

Fall Birding Festival at Barr Lake

Fall Birding Festival at Barr Lake