There is a lot more to hunting than you may first think. Aside from the necessary equipment and gear, there are important dates throughout the season to keep in mind, as well as licensing fees. Any experienced hunter knows that the dates for hunting certain game are different depending on the area, the type of animal, and the manner of take, but if you are new to Colorado, or you’re just new to hunting in general, here are some important dates to keep in mind.
Important Colorado 2021 Hunting Dates to Know
Archery
- Black Bear (over-the-counter with caps): September 2 – September 30
- Deer/Elk (West of I-25 and Unit 140): September 2 – September 30
- Moose: September 11 – September 30
- Plains Deer (East of I-25, except Unit 140): October 1 – October 29, November 10 – November 30, and December 15 – December 31
- Pronghorn (Bucks Only): August 15 – August 31
- Pronghorn ( Buck or Doe): September 1 – September 20
Muzzleloader
- Black Bear (over-the-counter with caps): September 11 – September 19
- Deer/Elk/Moose (by draw only): September 11 – September 19
- Plains Deer (East of I-25, except Unit 140 – by draw only): October 9 – October 17
- Pronghorn (by draw only): September 21 – September 29
Rifle
- Black Bear (over-the-counter with caps): Concurrent with deer/elk rifle season.
NOTE: In order to participate in this season, you must also hold a deer or elk license for the same units, season, and manner of take.
- Black Bear (September, limited, by draw only): September 2 – September 30
- Deer/Elk (Combined, 2nd Season): October 30 – November 7
- Deer/Elk (Combined, 3rd Season): November 13 – November 28
- Deer/Elk (Combined Limited, 4th Season): November 24 – November 28
- Elk (Separate Limited, 1st Season): October 16 – October 20
- Moose: October 1 – October 14
- Plains Deer (East of I-25, except Unit 140): October 30 – November 9
- Plains Deer, Late (East of I-25, except Unit 140): December 1 – December 14
- Pronghorn (by draw only): October 2 – October 10
Keep in mind, these dates are the only times when the public is allowed to hunt each specific game, which means crowds and hunting pressure. If you’re trying to avoid the peak-season crowds and are looking to invest in ranchland that will give you space and freedom to hunt on your terms, you can check out our Colorado hunting ranches for sale here.
2021 Colorado Hunting License Fees
Along with the important season dates are the licensing fees. These fees differ depending on the type of game you’re planning to hunt and if you are a Colorado resident or not.
Habitat Stamps
- Annual Habitat Stamp (valid 4/1 – 3/31): $10.13/yr for residents and non-residents
- Lifetime Habitat Stamp: $304.11 for residents and non-residents
- Waterfowl Stamp: $10.13 for residents and non-residents
Big Game License Fees
- Application Processing Fee (per draw and nonrefundable)
- Resident: $7.00
- Non-resident $9.00
- Bear
- Resident: $ 39.75
- Non-resident: $101.75
- Big Horn Sheep (Desert)
- Resident: $305.61
- Non-resident: $2,240.20
- Big Horn Sheep (Rocky Mountain)
- Resident: $305.61
- Non-resident: $2,240.20
- Deer Buck or Doe
- Resident: $40.24
- Non-resident: $401.83
- Elk, Bull or Combo Bull/Cow
- Resident: $55.43
- Non-resident: $670.25
- Elk, Cow
- Resident: $55.43
- Non-resident: $503.12
- Moose
- Resident: $305.61
- Non-resident: $2,240.20
- Mountain Goat
- Resident: $305.61
- Non-resident: $2,240.20
- Mountain Lion
- Resident: $50.37
- Non-resident: $351.75
- Preference and Weighted Point Fee (sheep, goat, moose)
- Resident: $50.00
- Non-resident: $100.00
- Pronghorn Buck or Doe
- Resident: $40.24
- Non-resident: $401.83
- Youth Big Game
- Resident: $15.50
- Non-resident: $102.78
Small Game License Fees
- Annual Small Game (includes furbearers, valid 4/1 – 3/31)
- Resident: $30.11
- Non-resident: $82.78
- Application Processing Fee (Turkey, per draw and nonrefundable)
- Resident: $7.00
- Non-resident: $9.00
- Band-tailed Pigeon Permit
- Resident: $5.00
- Non-resident: $5.00
- Federal Migratory Bird Stamp (Duck Stamp, valid 7/1-6/30)
- Resident: $25.00
- Non-resident: $25.00
- Furbearer only
- Resident: $30.11
- Non-resident: $82.78
- Peregrine Falcon Capture
- Resident: 304.11
- Non-resident: N/A
- Raptor 3-Year (possession/hunting)
- Resident: $152.18
- Non-resident: N/A
- Raptor Annual (possession/hunting)
- Resident: N/A
- Non-resident: $81.28
- Small Game (1-Day)
- Resident: $13.90
- Non-resident: $16.94
- Small Game (Additional Day)
- Resident: $6.81
- Non-resident: $6.81
- Turkey (Fall)
- Resident: $25.05
- Non-resident: $153.68
- Turkey (Spring)
- Resident: $30.11
- Non-resident: $153.68
- Youth Small Game (under 18)
- Resident: $1.26
- Non-resident: $1.26
- Youth Turkey (under 18)
- Resident: $15.93
- Non-resident: $103.75
