Deer Seasons
Last Updated: Fall 2024
Deer Season Dates
SEASON | NOTES | START DATE | END DATE |
|---|---|---|---|
Archery | Deer/elk (west of I-25 and Unit 140) | September 02, 2024 | September 30, 2024 |
Archery | Plains deer (east of I-25, except Unit 140) | October 01, 2024 | October 25, 2024 |
Archery | Plains deer (east of I-25, except Unit 140) | November 06, 2024 | November 30, 2024 |
Archery | Plains deer (east of I-25, except Unit 140) | December 15, 2024 | December 31, 2024 |
Archery | Whitetail-only (limited) | October 01, 2024 | October 25, 2024 |
Archery | Whitetail-only (limited) | November 06, 2024 | November 30, 2024 |
Archery | Whitetail-only (limited) | December 15, 2024 | December 31, 2024 |
Muzzleloader (by draw only) | Deer/elk/moose | September 14, 2024 | September 22, 2024 |
Muzzleloader (by draw only) | Plains deer (east of I-25, except Unit 140) | October 12, 2024 | October 20, 2024 |
Muzzleloader (by draw only) | Whitetail-only (limited) | October 12, 2024 | October 20, 2024 |
Rifle | Combined deer/elk (2nd season) | October 26, 2024 | November 03, 2024 |
Rifle | Combined deer/elk (3rd season) | November 09, 2024 | November 15, 2024 |
Rifle | Combined limited deer/elk (4th season) | November 20, 2024 | November 24, 2024 |
Rifle | Plains deer (east of I-25, except Unit 140) | October 26, 2024 | November 05, 2024 |
Rifle | Late plains deer (east of I-25, except Unit 140) | December 01, 2024 | December 14, 2024 |
Rifle | Whitetail-only (limited) | October 26, 2024 | November 05, 2024 |
Rifle | Late Whitetail-only (limited) | December 01, 2024 | December 14, 2024 |
Season end dates for rifle deer/elk (west of I-25 and Unit 140) muzzleloader deer/elk/moose, season end dates are as listed unless otherwise noted in the brochure tables. Note: Always check your physical license and the Colorado Big Game Brochure for specific hunting dates.
Limited Licenses
What are limited licenses?
Each year, a set (limited) number of licenses is allotted to each game management unit (GMU). Huntable areas are broken down into units called “game management units.” These units help you decide where you'd like to hunt. A GMU map is available on the inside back cover of the Big Game Brochure.
You can apply for the big game draw(s) to get one of these limited licenses, or after the draws are over, you can purchase a remaining (leftover) limited license when they go on sale.
Big Game Draws
- Primary Draw (application period closed on April 2, 2024 )
- Secondary Draw (application period closed on June 28, 2024)
A qualifying license is required prior to applying for limited licenses through the big game draw(s).
Hunters can submit one application per species to participate in the draw. Applications can include up to four hunt choices to maximize your opportunity to draw a license and hunt.
Types of Limited Licenses
Limited licenses include public-land, private-land-only, Ranching for Wildlife (RFW), Bighorn Sheep Access Program (BSAP), season choice and leftover limited licenses.
Preference Points
Preference points help hunters to be successful in future primary draws because points add up per species until an applicant draws a first-choice license. One preference point is awarded to each applicant who qualifies for and does not draw their first-choice limited license for deer, elk, pronghorn or bear in the primary draw, or who applies using a specific preference-point hunt code that gets them a preference point only as their first choice.
Preference points are available on the primary draw application only.
Tip: If you can’t hunt this year, but intend to in the future, apply for a preference point by entering the “preference point only” hunt code in the “first choice hunt code” on the application. See pages 3 and 9 in the Big Game Brochure for details.
Refunds
For information on license refunds, please visit the Hunting License Refunds, Reversals and Exchanges page.
