General Colorado Hunting Info

Where to hunt in Colorado is determined by a multitude of factors. Generally, the state is divided into two separate and distinct regions: East of Interstate 25, which is plains country, and West of Interstate 25, which is mountain country. Of course, for the most part, the only species of animal found in the plains country are Antelope, Whitetail Deer and Mule Deer. All species can be found in abundance in mountain country with the exception of Whitetail Deer.

Other considerations are species of animal, GMU, health, equipment and season. For example, hunting certain species of animals such as bighorn sheep or mountain goat is not an option for some hunters. Elevation, terrain, health limitations, and even the inability or lack of opportunity to get "in shape" may prevent this from being possible. Plus, all three of those species have a much smaller range and specific habitat. On the other hand, elk and mule deer are widely dispersed west of I-25.

REMINDER Hunters who purchased a mountain lion license for the April 1–30, 2016 season and did not harvest may still use the same license to hunt in the season that runs from Nov. 21, 2016–March 31, 2017. After March 31, 2017, you must purchase a new license that is valid April 1–30, 2017.

For most seasons, Colorado hunting weather is always unpredictable and access to hunting country without proper transportation (and the experience to use it effectively and safely) can be a problem especially if one chooses a later season. Although the odds of hunting in any season during blizzard conditions or severe adverse weather are unlikely, it does happen, and frequently.

Colorado is one of the few states that has an abundance of hunting acreage and places to hunt, which total about 27.63 million acres or 42% of the whole state. This number represents the acreage available to public land hunters with less than four percent being private land but made available for public use through special partnerships with the Colorado Division of Wildlife. Of course, this does not include acreage available via trespass fee arrangements, voucher tags purchased from private landowners, and outfitters.

In the plains area of the state, there are two National Grasslands: Comanche National Grassland and Pawnee National Grassland, which comprise approximately 682,000 acres. In the mountain country, there are 11 National Forests: Arapahoe N.F., Grand Mesa N.F., Gunnison N.F., Pike N.F., Rio Grande N.F., Roosevelt N.F., Routt N.F., San Isabel N.F., San Juan N.F., Uncompahgre N.F. and White River N.F., all of which comprise approximately 14.83 million acres. The highest elevations and much of the rugged country to hunt in Colorado are found in the national forests.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has approximately 8.4 million acres located in mostly western Colorado, which is probably the most diverse hunting land available in Colorado. Beginning from low elevations and broad mesas covered with sage brush, oak brush and service berry, much of BLM land reaches up to mountainous terrain covered in Aspen, Pine and Fir, and even rises to alpine treeless tundra.

Colorado has 36 Wilderness Areas scattered all over the mountain country of the state, which is west of Interstate-25 that total 2.9 million acres. The largest is Weminuche with 492,000 acres (769 square miles) and covers six GMUs. The next closest in size are the Flat Tops with 235,000 acres and Sangre De Cristo with 226,000 acres.

Colorado State Trust Lands has a leasing arrangement with the Colorado Division of Wildlife to allow public access to approximately a half million acres, much of which is available for hunting.
<h4>Colorado Hunting: What to Hunt</h4>
Colorado is blessed with ten species of big game animals: elk, mule deer, black bear, mountain lion, antelope, bighorn sheep (Rocky Mountain Bighorn and Desert Bighorn), moose, mountain goat and whitetail deer. By far, elk are the most sought after given the fact that Colorado holds the world's largest number of elk (280,000 - 2017 est). The largest herd of elk in Colorado and the world, which comprises 15% of the total elk in Colorado, is found in the White River National Forest and surrounding area. Herd counts are determined by Data Analysis Unit, which consists of multiple GMUs and represents a distinct herd.

For one new to Colorado hunting, he or she may want to check on the number of animals (animal density) in the GMU to be hunted.[/fusion_toggle][fusion_toggle title="Colorado Hunting: When to Hunt" open="no"]Since most of the species have very limited seasons, hunting options are fairly limited. However, elk hunting has the most available options with mule deer a close second. Bow season for both species begins the last weekend in August and ends the third weekend in September. The weather is typically very warm and sometimes just downright hot, which makes for not-so-good hunting. Of course, there are always exceptions to this rule. Also, be aware that thunderstorms and lightning - a hazard not to be taken lightly - can occur frequently this time of the year. Snowstorms and even blizzards are possible.

The elk rut, however, is just around the corner. The best time to bow hunt elk is during the height of the rut, which would be the last two weeks of archery season. That's not to say you can't be successful earlier in the season; the action is just a little slower. Since the mule deer rut is not until November, hunting for them is always best either during late season hunts closer to their rut or early (archery season) and don’t forget some GMUs have an early rifle deer season during archery elk season.

There are four rifle seasons to hunt elk; the first is "elk only" and the last three coincide with mule deer hunting. These overlapping seasons are referred to as Combined Seasons. The first two rifle seasons occur in October; the last two rifle seasons occur in November.

Just remember, this is mountain country and the later you decide to hunt, the odds are greater that you'll be hunting in snowy weather. Of course, this can also be advantageous for many reasons. Animals are easier to spot with snow on the ground. They are also on the move more as well as being more active for longer periods of time during the day. Depending upon the amount of snow, they may be herding up and in their "wintering" mode, that is, transitioning from high country to low country wintering range.

Elk have a tendency to stay in the high country the longest. Snow does not necessarily motivate them to relocate to lower elevations unless snow is significant and covers up grazing food. Mule deer, on the other hand, go into their wintering and transitional mode based on a lunar cycle not a weather event.