Hunting Seasons & Licensing · CO
Colorado Hunting Seasons & Licensing
2025–2026 SeasonColorado offers world-class big game hunting, particularly for elk, mule deer, and pronghorn. The state manages roughly 23 million acres of public land, making it one of the most accessible states for hunting on public ground. Colorado uses a preference point system for limited licenses, and over-the-counter elk tags are available in many units. The state has seen significant growth in hunter numbers, leading to increased competition for limited draw tags.
Dates shown are for the 2025–2026 season based on the most recent published regulations. Always verify current dates with the Colorado Parks and Wildlife before hunting.
Season Dates by Game Type
Big Game
| Species | Season | Dates | Bag Limit | Methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elk | Archery | Aug 30 – Sep 28, 2025 | 1 elk per license | Bow and arrow, crossbow (by permit) |
| Elk | Muzzleloader | Sep 13 – Sep 21, 2025 | 1 elk per license | Muzzleloader |
| Elk | Rifle (combined seasons) | Oct 11 – Nov 16, 2025 | 1 elk per license | Rifle, shotgun, handgun, muzzleloader |
| Mule Deer | Archery | Aug 30 – Sep 28, 2025 | 1 deer per license | Bow and arrow |
| Mule Deer | Rifle (combined seasons) | Oct 11 – Nov 16, 2025 | 1 deer per license | Rifle, shotgun, handgun, muzzleloader |
| Pronghorn | Rifle | Oct 4 – Oct 19, 2025 | 1 pronghorn per license | Rifle, shotgun, handgun, muzzleloader, bow |
| Black Bear | General | Sep 2 – Nov 30, 2025 | 1 bear per year | Rifle, bow, muzzleloader |
| Mountain Lion | General | Nov 1, 2025 – Mar 31, 2026 | 1 lion per year | Rifle, bow, handgun |
Elk (Archery): Over-the-counter archery elk licenses available in most units
Elk (Muzzleloader): Limited licenses — draw only
Elk (Rifle (combined seasons)): Four separate rifle seasons within this window
Mule Deer (Archery): Limited licenses in most units — draw required
Mule Deer (Rifle (combined seasons)): Buck licenses require draw in nearly all units
Pronghorn (Rifle): All licenses by draw. Preference point system applies.
Black Bear (General): Over-the-counter licenses available. No baiting, no spring season, no hound hunting.
Mountain Lion (General): License by draw in some units, OTC in others
Turkey
| Species | Season | Dates | Bag Limit | Methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wild Turkey | Spring | Apr 11 – May 24, 2026 | 1 bearded turkey | Shotgun, bow |
| Wild Turkey | Fall | Sep 1 – Oct 31, 2025 | 1 turkey either sex | Shotgun, bow, rifle |
Wild Turkey (Spring): Limited licenses by draw
Wild Turkey (Fall): Limited units
Upland Game Birds
| Species | Season | Dates | Bag Limit | Methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ring-necked Pheasant | General | Nov 8 – Jan 31, 2026 | 3 daily / 9 possession | Shotgun |
| Dusky Grouse | General | Sep 1 – Nov 30, 2025 | 3 daily / 9 possession | Shotgun, rifle |
Waterfowl
| Species | Season | Dates | Bag Limit | Methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ducks | General | Varies by zone — Oct through Jan | 6 daily (species-specific limits) | Shotgun (non-toxic shot required) |
Ducks (General): Federal duck stamp + HIP required
Small Game
| Species | Season | Dates | Bag Limit | Methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cottontail Rabbit | General | Year-round | 10 daily / 20 possession | Rifle, shotgun, handgun |
| Squirrel | General | Year-round | 5 daily / 10 possession | Rifle, shotgun, handgun |
Licensing
| License Type | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Resident Hunting License | $35.17 | — |
| Non-Resident Hunting License | $100.71 | — |
| Resident Elk License (OTC) | $56.93 | — |
| Non-Resident Elk License (OTC) | $665.43 | — |
| Resident Deer License | $41.93 | Draw required in most units |
| Non-Resident Deer License | $424.43 | Draw required in most units |
| Youth License (12–17) | Reduced fees apply | — |
| Preference Point | $40 (resident) / $100 (non-resident) | Per species, per year |
Tags, Draws & Lotteries
Colorado uses a preference point system for limited elk, deer, pronghorn, moose, mountain goat, and bighorn sheep licenses. Hunters who are not drawn accumulate one preference point per year, increasing their odds in subsequent draws. The primary draw application period is typically March through early April. Over-the-counter elk licenses are available for archery and some rifle seasons in many units — these do not require a draw. Leftover licenses from the draw are sold on a first-come, first-served basis in August.
Harvest Reporting
Colorado requires mandatory harvest reporting for all big game species. Hunters must report harvest within 5 days of kill through the CPW online system or by phone. Chronic Wasting Disease testing is mandatory in designated CWD management areas. Failure to report is a violation that can affect future license eligibility.
Colorado Wildlife Resources
- Colorado Parks and Wildlife — Hunting Home →
- Current Hunting Regulations →
- Hunter Education →
- Violation Hotline: Operation Game Thief: 1-877-265-6648
- USFWS Waterfowl Frameworks →
Disclaimer: This page is for informational purposes only. Season dates, bag limits, license fees, and regulations shown here are based on the most recently published data from the Colorado Parks and Wildlife and may not reflect last-minute changes, emergency closures, or special regulations. Always verify current regulations directly with your state wildlife agency before hunting. FirearmSelect does not provide legal advice and is not responsible for actions taken based on this information.