Every year, adventurous hunters are drawn to Colorado by its beautiful landscape and varied wildlife. There will be exciting chances to hunt everything from gorgeous elk to elusive bighorn sheep in 2024, and this season looks to be similarly exciting. This detailed schedule methodically lists the crucial dates and considerations to keep in mind while making plans to travel in the wilderness.
GMUs 3, 11, 13, 18 except east of Colo. 125 in Grand Co., 27, 28 except north and east of Grand CR 50 (Church Park Rd.) and U.S. 40, 37, 181, 201, 211, 301 and 441. Note that GMUs 2, 4 and 5, and 10 are not open for greater sage-grouse hunting.
Sept. 9–10, 2023
Only GMUs 6, 16, 17, 161 and 171 (North Park)
Prairie Chicken
Oct 1 – Jan 31, 2024
Only GMUs 93, 97, 98, 100, 101, 102, 103, and 109, and all of Morgan Co., and those portions E of Colo. 71, and S of Colo. 14 and Hwy. 138
Only GMUs 44, 45, 53, 54, 66, 67, 68, 70, 71, 74−81, 444 and 751
Bobwhite, Gambel’s & Scaled Quail
Nov. 11–Jan. 31, 2024
East of I-25 and south of I-70 from I-25 to Byers and Hwy. 36 from Byers to Kansas, and the parts of the following counties that are west of I-25: Pueblo, Fremont, Huerfano, El Paso and Las Animas counties
Nov. 11–Jan. 7, 2024
East of I-25 and north of I-70 from I-25 east to Byers and Hwy. 36 from Byers to Kansas
Nov. 11–Jan. 7, 2024
West of I-25 except those areas west of I-25 in Pueblo, Fremont, Huerfano, El Paso and Las Animas counties
Pheasant
Nov. 11-Jan. 7
Statewide
Rabbit and Hare
Oct. 1-Feb. 28
–
Squirrel
Oct. 1-Feb. 28
–
Furbearers
Species
Season
Dates
Units
Bobcat, Mink, Weasel
Trapping
Dec. 1-Feb. 28
Statewide
Muskrat and Beaver
Trapping
Nov. 1-Apr. 30
Statewide
Raccoon, Skunk, Coyote and Fox
Hunting/Trapping
Year-round/Nov. 1-Feb. 28
Statewide
Bag Limits
Species
Bag Limit
Elk
1-2
Mule Deer
1-2
Pronghorn Antelope
1-2
Bighorn Sheep
1
Moose
1
Bear
1-2
Rabbit (Cottontail & Jackrabbit)
5-10
Squirrel (Fox & Gray)
5-12
Pheasant
2-4
Quail
8-12
Grouse (Dusky & Greater Sage-grouse)
2-3
Chukar Partridge
5-8
Turkey
1 bearded gobbler per permit (spring); 2 turkeys (1 bearded, 1 non-bearded) per tag (fall)
Ducks
6 (mallards no more than 4, with no more than 2 females).
Geese
5-30
Mourning Dove
15
Beaver
1
Coyote
No limit
Mountain Lion
1 per license year
Optimizing Big Game License Draws
Strategic Hunt Code Selection: Examine Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s Hunting Statistics to improve your chances of obtaining a restricted license for large game. To increase your chances of drawing a successful hunt, concentrate on hunt codes that correspond with your preference points.
Dynamic Preference Point System: Under the 80/20 allocation split, the 3-year preference point average—which is important for high-demand search codes—has changed. There is now a one-year lag since it uses a rolling 3-year average that is updated yearly.
Private Land Access Protocol: Hunting on private property requires permission, with the exception of locations where Colorado Parks & Wildlife has implemented Walk-In Access (WIA). Hunting on private property requires permission whether or not it is posted, underscoring the need of honoring landowner rights.
Mason Miller founded and leads WildlifeForum.org, a forum promoting ethical hunting and conservation. Mason, an avid outdoorsman and naturalist, studies and protects animals via activism, instructing, and research. His love of nature and dedication to sustainability inspired him to start WildlifeForum.org for responsible hunters, anglers, and outdoor lovers.
