Colorado Hunting Guide 2026
Complete Colorado hunting guide for 2026: seasons, license costs, draw odds, GMU boundaries, bag limits, and regulations. Compare every game species at a glance.
Wildlife Agency
Colorado Parks and Wildlife
Hunter safety course required for first-time buyers
Draw Application Deadlines
| Species | Type | Opens | Deadline | Results |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elk | Primary Draw | Mar 1 | Apr 1 | Late May |
| Mule Deer | Primary Draw | Mar 1 | Apr 1 | Late May |
| Pronghorn | Primary Draw | Mar 1 | Apr 1 | Late May |
| Moose | Primary Draw | Mar 1 | Apr 1 | Late May |
| Mountain Goat | Primary Draw | Mar 1 | Apr 1 | Late May |
| Elk | Leftover List | Jul 1 | Ongoing | Immediate |
| Bighorn Sheep | Primary Draw | Mar 1 | Apr 1 | Late May |
Colorado Hunting Seasons
Elk
| Season Type | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|
| Archery | Aug 26 | Sep 24 |
| Muzzleloader | Sep 9 | Sep 17 |
| Rifle | Oct 14 | Nov 12 |
Bag limits: daily: 1, season: 1
Colorado is the #1 elk hunting state. Rifle season split into 4 periods. Over-the-counter bull tags available in some units. Cow tags by draw.
Mule Deer
| Season Type | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|
| Archery | Aug 26 | Sep 24 |
| Muzzleloader | Sep 9 | Sep 17 |
| Rifle | Oct 14 | Nov 12 |
Bag limits: daily: 1, season: 1
Draw-only for most units. Preference point system. Some units have over-the-counter licenses. 4 rifle seasons.
Turkey
| Season Type | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|
| Shotgun | Apr 8 | May 28 |
| Archery | Apr 8 | May 28 |
Bag limits: daily: 1, season: 2 (spring)
Spring bearded turkey season. Merriam's turkeys predominant. Fall season available in limited units.
Bear
| Season Type | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|
| Archery | Sep 2 | Sep 30 |
| Rifle | Sep 2 | Sep 30 |
| Muzzleloader | Sep 9 | Sep 17 |
Bag limits: daily: 1, season: 1
Over-the-counter licenses available in many units. Bear baiting and dogs prohibited. Concurrent with deer/elk seasons in some units.
Moose
| Season Type | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|
| Rifle | Sep 9 | Oct 15 |
Bag limits: daily: 1, season: 1
Extremely limited draw-only permits. Among the most coveted tags in North America. Shiras moose in mountainous areas.
Pronghorn
| Season Type | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|
| Archery | Aug 15 | Sep 20 |
| Rifle | Sep 25 | Oct 31 |
Bag limits: daily: 1, season: 1 per year
Draw-only in most western states
Mountain Goat
| Season Type | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|
| Rifle | Sep 1 | Nov 15 |
Bag limits: daily: 1, season: 1 per lifetime
Once-in-a-lifetime draw. Extremely limited tags.
Bighorn Sheep
| Season Type | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|
| Rifle | Sep 1 | Nov 30 |
Bag limits: daily: 1, season: 1 per lifetime (most states)
Extremely limited tags. Once-in-a-lifetime draw.
Mountain Lion
| Season Type | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|
| Fall/Winter | Nov 1 | Mar 31 |
Bag limits: daily: 1, season: 1 per year
Hound hunting legal in most western states. Quotas apply.
Planning Tools
- Colorado Draw Odds by Unit — success rates for every limited-entry hunt
- Colorado Hunt Unit Guides — terrain, tactics, access, and logistics by unit
- Tag-to-Trail Planner — interactive map: public land, harvest records, water, burns
- Hunt Cost Calculator — budget your full hunt cost
- Application Timeline — never miss an application deadline
- Preference Point Tracker — track points across all your states
Colorado Hunting Guides
planning
How to Plan a Budget Western Elk Hunt: Real Costs, Smart Cuts
destinations
Colorado Archery Mule Deer: Late August Tags and High Country Velvet Bucks
methods
Colorado Archery Elk: OTC Tags, Public Land, and September Bulls
methods
Colorado Archery Elk Hunting: OTC Tags, September Rut, and the Mountain Learning Curve
draw odds
Colorado Bighorn Sheep Draw Odds: Unit-by-Unit Reality Check
methods