Hunting in Colorado

UPLAND BIRD HUNTING

The game bird hunting season usually ranges from September through November. The most common foul hunted in Colorado are pheasants, quail, and dove, followed by turkey, grouse, and prairie chicken. Pigeon, crow, partridge, snipe, and rail are also hunted. While the Northeastern section of Colorado is known as a popular bird hunting area, (especially for pheasants), The Southeastern section is also great for bird hunting and is exceptionally less crowded. A good tip to keep in mind if you’re looking to be in an area with fewer hunters.

WATERFOWL HUNTING

Northeastern Colorado is renowned for its Canada Goose and Duck hunting. Thousands of geese and ducks frequent Windsor, Severence, and the I-76 corridor along the South Platte River. Outfitters make a solid business out of taking clients into fields in pit blinds or along rivers in duck blinds to hunt these migratory birds.

BIG GAME HUNTING

The big game hunting season in Colorado ranges from August through November. What are big game hunters after?  Moose, black bear, deer, pronghorn, and Rocky Mountain elk are Colorado’s most popular hunts. Colorado’s State Parks and Wildlife division relies heavily on fees to hunt in Colorado, especially from out-of-state hunters. Elk licenses bring over $500, plus the local hunting towns financially benefit from the surge of hunters in the Fall. World record deer and elk live in the mountains and plains of Colorado, and hundreds of record book animals have been taken here. Be sure to get your license early as there are a limited amount of licenses available in Southwest Colorado.

SMALL GAME HUNTING

The hunting season for predators, (or fur-bearing animals) in Colorado ranges from October to December. Hunters can find themselves on the scent of badger, red fox, raccoons, skunk, muskrat, beaver, bobcats, and coyotes. Although most abundant in the plains area, coyotes are a common animal in Colorado and can be found just about anywhere. Be sure to keep in mind that the Southern part of the state is most popular for bobcats, foxes, and other furbearers. Looking to hunt small mammals or varmint? Well, that hunting season occurs mostly in October and November. What animals can you expect to find in the crosshairs? Squirrels, cottontails, snowshoe hair, jackrabbits, marmots, and prairie dogs. Varmints can be found almost anywhere there is grass in Colorado, except for those pesky little squirrels who tend to stay in forested areas.