Hunting Seasons and Dates

When Can I Hunt in Colorado?

Eager to head out for elk season this year? You’re in the right place to get up to speed on season dates and key information.

The details provided here reflect the latest updates available from Colorado Parks & Wildlife (CPW). Colorado typically keeps hunting season dates consistent from year to year, making planning a bit easier than in many other states — though it’s always important to check for any official changes or exceptions.

We recommend always confirming dates through official CPW resources before finalizing your trip, especially for big game or other regulated species.

Some season dates listed here are current through 2025. As the state announces future season timelines, we’ll continue to update this resource to keep you informed.

Elk

As mentioned earlier, 2025-2029 marks a new Big Game Season Structure (BGSS) for Colorado. So, if you're relying on information or processes from prior years, you'll want to double-check the latest information to make sure you plan a hunt during the right dates and can get your license before your hunt.

• Colorado Elk Archery Season: September 2 – 30, 2025
• Elk Muzzleloader: September 13 – 21, 2025
• Rifle
  • First Season: Oct 15 – 19, 2025
  • Second Season: October 25 – November 2, 2025
  • Third Season: November 8 – 16, 2025
  • Fourth Season: November 19 – 23, 2025
    

Additional season dates are available for limited license hunts.

Deer

• Archery: September 2 – 30, 2025
• Muzzleloader: September 13 – 21, 2025
• Rifle:
  • First Season: Oct 15 – 19, 2025
  • Second Season: October 25 – November 2, 2025
  • Third Season: November 8 – 16, 2025
  • Fourth Season: November 19 – 23, 2025
  • Plains: October 25 – November 4, 2025

Additional season dates are available for limited license hunts.

Moose

• Archery: September 6 – 30, 2025
• Muzzleloader: September 13 – 21, 2025
• Rifle (Antlered & Antlerless): October 1 – 14, 2025

Additional dates are available for limited license hunts.

Pronghorn

• Archery: August 15 – September 20, 2025
• Muzzleloader: September 21 – 29, 2025
• Rifle: October 4 – 12, 2025

Additional dates are available for limited license hunts.

Mountain Lion

• April Season: April 1 – 30
• Fall Season: TBD
• Regular Season: November 24 – March 31

Black Bear

• Archery: September 2 – 30, 2025
• Muzzleloader: September 13 – 21, 2025
• September Rifle: September 2 – 30, 2025
• September Plains Rifle: September 2 – November 23, 2025
• Rifle: October 15 – 19, October 25 – November 2, November 8 – 16, and November 19 – 23, 2025
• Private Land Only (PLO): September 2 – November 23, 2025

Turkey

• Spring: April 12 – May 31, 2025
• Fall: September 1 – October 31, 2025
• Late Season: December 15 – January 15, 2025

Note that spring licenses are limited and awarded through a draw system, with applications due by February 4. Fall licenses are also awarded through a draw, with applications due by June 19. Note that some hunting units are closed for turkey hunting in the spring and fall.

Check the 2025 Turkey Hunting Brochure for more information.

Small Game Birds and Migratory Birds

• Dove (Mourning & White-Winged): September 1 – November 29, 2025
• Dove (Eurasian Collared): Year-round
• Grouse (Dusky Blue): September 1 – November 23, 2025
• Grouse (Greater Sage): September 13 – 19, 2025 (Season 1), September 13 – 14, 2025 (Season 2)
• Grouse (Mountain Sharp-Tailed): September 1 – 21, 2025
• Pheasant: November 8, 2025 – January 31, 2026 (Season 1), November 8, 2025 – January 4, 2026 (Season 2)
• Ptarmigan: September 13 – October 5, 2025 (Season 1), September 13 – November 23, 2025 (Season 2)
• Quail: November 8, 2025 – January 31, 2026 (Season 1), November 8, 2025 – January 4, 2026 (Seasons 2 & 3)
• Chukar Partridge: September 1 – November 30, 2025
• Europian Starling & House Sparrow: Year-round
• Rail: September 1 – November 9, 2025
• Sandhill Crane: October 4 – November 30, 2025
• Snipe: September 1 – December 16, 2025

Waterfowl

Duck, Coot, & Teal

• Central Flyway
  • Northeast Zone: October 18 – November 30, 2025 and December 11, 2025 – January 31, 2026
  • Southeast Zone: October 28, 2025 – January 31, 2026
  • Mountain/Foothills Zone: October 4 – November 30, 2025 and December 25, 2025 – January 31, 2026
• Pacific Flyway
  • Western Zone: October 4 – 21, 2025 and November 6, 2025 – January 31, 2026
  • Eastern Zone: October 4, 2025 – January 16, 2026
• September Teal: September 13 – 21, 2025

Goose

• Central Flyway
  • Regular Season:
    • Dark Goose: November 3, 2025 – February 15, 2026
    • Light Goose: November 1, 2025 – February 15, 2026
  • Light Goose Conservation Order: February 16 – April 30, 2026
  • North Park:
    • Dark Goose: October 5, 2025 – January 16, 2026
    • Light Goose: November 1, 2025 – February 15, 2026
  • San Luis Valley:
    • Dark Goose: October 4 – 22, 2025 and November 22, 2025 – February 15, 2026
    • Light Goose: November 1, 2025 – February 15, 2026
  • South Park:
    • Dark Goose: October 5, 2025 – January 16, 2026
    • Light Goose: November 1, 2025 – February 15, 2026

• Pacific Flyway
  • Early Canada Goose: September 1 – 9, 2025
  • Western Zone:
    • Dark Goose: October 4 – 12, 2025 and November 6, 2025 – January 31, 2026
    • Light Goose: October 4 – 12, 2025 and November 6, 2025 – January 31, 2026
  • Eastern Zone:
    • Dark Goose: October 4, 2025 – January 7, 2026
    • Light Goose: October 4, 2025 – January 7, 2026

Small Game Animals

Season dates for small game are annual dates.

• Marmot: August 10 – October 15, 2025
• Albert's Squirrel: November 15, 2025 – January 15, 2026
• Squirrel (Fox and Pine): October 1, 2025 – February 28, 2026
• Wyoming Ground Squirrel: Year-round
• Rabbit (Cottontail, Snowshoe Hare, & Jackrabbit): October 1, 2025 –February 28, 2026
• Coyote: Year-round
• Prairie Dog: June 15, 2025 – February 28, 2026