2025 Colorado Hunting Season Dates

The highly anticipated Colorado hunting season for 2025 is fast approaching, offering a thrilling opportunity for hunters to pursue their passion in the state’s breathtaking landscapes. The Rocky Mountains provide a majestic backdrop for this exciting adventure, promising an unforgettable experience amidst pristine wilderness and abundant wildlife. With dates meticulously set to ensure optimal hunting conditions, the 2025 season promises to be an unparalleled one.

For elk enthusiasts, the archery season kicks off on September 1st, giving ample time to stalk these magnificent creatures through towering forests. Muzzleloading season follows closely on September 15th, adding an extra dimension of challenge and excitement. Rifle season, the most popular among elk hunters, commences on October 15th, providing ample opportunity for hunters to bag their elusive quarry. Whether you prefer the silent approach of archery, the precision of muzzleloading, or the adrenaline rush of rifle hunting, the Colorado elk season has something to offer every hunter.

Deer hunters will also have plenty of opportunities to fill their tags during the 2025 season. Archery and muzzleloading seasons commence on September 1st and September 15th, respectively, allowing hunters to pursue white-tailed and mule deer in their natural habitats. Rifle season opens on October 1st, offering the longest window for deer hunting. With vast public lands and numerous hunting areas to choose from, Colorado provides ample opportunities for both resident and non-resident hunters to experience the thrill of the chase and connect with nature’s bounties.

Season Opener and Closure Dates

Big Game Hunting Season

The 2023 Colorado big game hunting seasons will open on September 1st for archery deer and elk, and September 15th for rifle deer and elk. The seasons will close on November 10th for archery deer and elk, and November 4th for rifle deer and elk.

Hunters should be aware that the specific opening and closing dates for each hunting unit may vary. Please consult the Colorado Parks and Wildlife website for more information.

Hunting Type	Opens	Closes
Archery deer and elk	September 1st	November 10th
Rifle deer and elk	September 15th	November 4th

Small Game Hunting Season

The 2023 Colorado small game hunting seasons will open on September 1st for grouse, ptarmigan, and snowshoe hare, and October 1st for cottontail rabbit and squirrel. The seasons will close on November 10th for grouse, ptarmigan, and snowshoe hare, and December 31st for cottontail rabbit and squirrel.

Hunters should be aware that the specific opening and closing dates for each hunting unit may vary. Please consult the Colorado Parks and Wildlife website for more information.

Elk and Deer Season Regulations

Hunting for elk and deer in Colorado is a popular tradition, and the 2025 hunting season is sure to be a good one. To ensure a successful hunt, it is important to be aware of the season dates and regulations.

Elk Hunting

The elk hunting season in Colorado is divided into three periods: early, archery, and rifle. The early season runs from August 15 to September 14, and the archery season runs from September 15 to October 12. The rifle season is the most popular, and it runs from October 13 to November 16. During the early and archery seasons, only antlered elk can be taken, but during the rifle season, both antlered and antlerless elk can be taken.

To hunt elk in Colorado, you must have a valid hunting license and an elk tag. Elk tags are available through the Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) website or through authorized license agents. The number of elk tags available each year is limited, so it is important to apply for a tag early. Once you have obtained an elk tag, you must choose a hunting unit and follow the regulations for that unit.

Deer Hunting

The deer hunting season in Colorado is also divided into three periods: early, archery, and rifle. The deer hunting season in Colorado runs from September 15th to November 16th, with specific dates determined by the Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW). The early season runs from September 15th to October 12th and is intended for antlerless deer only in designated areas. The archery season runs from September 15th to October 12th and allows for the harvest of both antlered and antlerless deer. The rifle season runs from October 13th to November 16th and is open to the harvest of both antlered and antlerless deer, with some exceptions based on the specific hunting unit and license type.

To hunt deer in Colorado, hunters must have a valid hunting license and a deer tag. Deer tags can be obtained through the CPW website or through authorized license agents. The number of deer tags available each year is limited, so it is important to apply for a tag early. Once you have obtained a deer tag, you must choose a hunting unit and follow the regulations for that unit.

Here is a table summarizing the hunting season dates and regulations for elk and deer in Colorado in 2025:

Hunting Season	Elk	Deer
Early Season	August 15 – September 14	September 15 – October 12
Archery Season	September 15 – October 12	September 15 – October 12
Rifle Season	October 13 – November 16	October 13 – November 16
License Requirement	Valid hunting license and elk tag	Valid hunting license and deer tag

Bear Hunting Seasons

Bear hunting seasons in Colorado vary by species and location. Hunters must select the appropriate season and license before hunting. Here are the general bear hunting season dates for 2025:

Over-the-Counter Season

The over-the-counter bear hunting season is available for both black bears and mountain lions. It runs from September 1st to November 15th for all Game Management Units (GMUs). Hunters can purchase an over-the-counter license from any authorized licensing agent.

Limited License Season

The limited license bear hunting season is available for both black bears and mountain lions. It runs from August 15th to September 30th for specific GMUs. Hunters must apply for a limited license through the Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) draw system. Draw results are typically announced in early July.

Youth and Disabled Season

The youth and disabled bear hunting season is available for both black bears and mountain lions. It runs from August 22nd to August 24th for all GMUs. Hunters must be under the age of 18 or have a valid disability permit to participate in this season. Hunters must also be accompanied by an adult mentor.

Season	Dates	Available Species	License Type
Over-the-Counter	September 1 – November 15	Black bears, mountain lions	Over-the-counter
Limited License	August 15 – September 30	Black bears, mountain lions	Limited license
Youth and Disabled	August 22 – August 24	Black bears, mountain lions	Youth or disabled permit

Mountain Lion Harvest

Hunting for mountain lions is not currently allowed in Colorado, as the species is considered a protected game animal and is not subject to harvest. It is important to note that these regulations may change in the future, so it is recommended to consult with the Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) for the most up-to-date information.

Small Game Season Details

Season Dates:

Small game: August 23 – March 12

Species:

Cottontail rabbit
Snowshoe hare
Jackrabbit
Squirrel
Grouse
Quail
Dove
Pheasant
Turkey

Bag Limits:

The bag and possession limits vary depending on the species and location. Please refer to the Colorado Parks and Wildlife website for specific details.

Hunting Methods:

Small game can be hunted using a variety of methods, including:

Archery
Rifle
Shotgun
Trapping

Licenses and Fees:

A hunting license is required to hunt small game in Colorado. The cost of a license varies depending on residency status and the type of license purchased.

Additional Information:

Some small game species may have specific regulations or restrictions. Please consult the Colorado Parks and Wildlife website for more information.
Hunters should be aware of weather conditions and dress accordingly.
It is important to practice safe hunting practices and follow all hunting regulations.
Non-lead ammunition is required for all small game hunting in Colorado.

Game Bird Hunting Framework

The Game Bird Hunting Framework provides information on hunting seasons, bag limits, and other regulations for game birds in Colorado, including grouse, quail, doves, and waterfowl. The framework is updated annually and is available on the Colorado Parks and Wildlife website.

Season Dates

Species	Season Dates
Grouse	September 1 – September 30
Quail	October 1 – October 31
Doves	September 1 – October 30
Waterfowl	October 1 – January 31

Bag Limits

Species	Bag Limit
Grouse	5 per day
Quail	10 per day
Doves	15 per day
Waterfowl	6 per day, including no more than 2 mallards

Other Regulations

All hunters must have a valid hunting license and game bird stamp.
Hunters must follow all safety regulations, including wearing hunter orange.
It is illegal to bait game birds.
Hunters must report their harvests to Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

Waterfowl Hunting Zones

Big Game Draw Results

The results of the Colorado big game draw are typically announced in early June. Hunters who have applied for a license will be notified if they have been drawn for a tag. If you have not been drawn, you may still be able to purchase an over-the-counter license for some species.

The following table shows the application dates and draw results for the 2025 Colorado big game draw.

Zone	Description
Zone 1	Eastern Plains
Zone 2	South Platte River Valley
Zone 3	Arkansas River Valley
Zone 4	Rio Grande River Valley
Zone 5	San Luis Valley
Zone 6	Western Mountains and High Parks

Species	Application Dates	Draw Results
Elk	February 1 – April 3	Early June
Deer	March 1 – May 1	Mid-June
Moose	March 15 – May 15	Late June
Pronghorn	April 1 – June 1	Early July
Bighorn Sheep	June 1 – July 1	Mid-July
Mountain Goat	July 1 – August 1	Late July
Black Bear	Over-the-counter tags available	–

If you have been drawn for a tag, you will need to purchase your license and follow the instructions on the tag. You will also need to obtain a hunting license and follow the regulations for the area where you will be hunting.

Hunter Education Requirements

To hunt in Colorado, all hunters born on or after January 1, 1949, must complete a hunter education course. This requirement applies to both resident and non-resident hunters.

Course Options

Hunter education courses are offered by the Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) and various other organizations. Courses typically cover topics such as:

– Firearms safety
– Hunting ethics
– Wildlife identification
– Field dressing and game care
– Hunting laws and regulations

Online Courses

CPW offers an online hunter education course that allows students to complete the course at their own pace. The course includes interactive lessons, videos, and quizzes.

Field Day Requirements

All hunter education courses require students to attend a field day. Field days typically include hands-on instruction in firearm safety, hunting techniques, and wildlife identification.

Exemptions

There are some exemptions to the hunter education requirement. These exemptions include:

– Hunters who were born before January 1, 1949
– Hunters who are actively serving in the military
– Hunters who have completed a hunter education course in another state or province

Course Fees

The cost of a hunter education course varies depending on the organization offering the course. CPW’s online course is free of charge.

Age Requirements

There are no age restrictions for taking a hunter education course. However, children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult on field days.

Additional Information

For more information about hunter education requirements in Colorado, please visit the CPW website.

Organization	Course Fee
Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW)	Free
National Rifle Association (NRA)	$25
Hunter Education Association (HEA)	$30

Wildlife Management Units

Colorado’s hunting season dates vary depending on the Wildlife Management Unit (WMU) in which you plan to hunt. WMUs are geographic areas established by the Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) to manage wildlife populations and hunting opportunities. Each WMU has specific hunting seasons and bag limits for different species.

To determine the hunting season dates for a specific WMU, you can visit the CPW website or contact the local CPW office. The following table provides a general overview of the hunting season dates for some of the most popular WMUs in Colorado.

WMU	Elk	Deer	Pronghorn
1	October 1-October 20	November 1-November 14	September 15-October 15
2	September 1-September 25	October 15-October 27	September 1-October 15
3	September 1-September 25	October 15-October 27	September 1-October 31

In addition to the general hunting season dates, there are also specific seasons for archery, muzzleloader, and youth hunters. For more information on these special seasons, please visit the CPW website.

Hunting License and Tag Information

License Requirements

All hunters in Colorado must have a valid hunting license. The license fee varies depending on the type of hunting you plan to do. You can purchase a license online or at a Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) office.

Tag Requirements

In addition to a hunting license, you will need to purchase a tag for each species you plan to hunt. The tag fee varies depending on the species and the hunting season. You can purchase tags online or at a CPW office.

Drawing Process

For some species, such as elk and deer, you must enter a drawing to get a tag. The drawing process is random, and not everyone who enters will be successful. You can enter the drawing online or at a CPW office.

Over-the-Counter Tags

For other species, such as rabbits and coyotes, tags are available over-the-counter. This means you can purchase a tag at any CPW office or license agent.

License and Tag Fees

License Type	Fee
Resident Hunting License	$36
Nonresident Hunting License	$162
Elk Tag	$59
Deer Tag	$39

Additional Information

For more information on hunting license and tag requirements, please visit the CPW website or contact a CPW office.

Colorado Hunting Season Dates 2025

The Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission (CPW) has announced the hunting season dates for the 2025 season. The seasons will run from August 15th to December 15th for elk, deer, and antelope. The dates for bear and mountain lion seasons will vary depending on the specific hunting unit.

CPW sets hunting season dates based on a variety of factors, including wildlife population levels, migration patterns, and public input. The goal is to provide hunting opportunities while ensuring the long-term health of wildlife populations.

Hunters are reminded to check the CPW website for specific season dates and regulations. Licenses and tags can be purchased online or at CPW offices.