First, start with this checklist:
- We offer a variety licenses and it can be a bit confusing if you aren't familiar with our language. Familiarize yourself with the big game license options and the drawing process before proceeding with the next steps.
- Now, decide which big game species you intend to hunt: Elk, deer, bear, pronghorn and/or moose. This will help you focus on which area to pick and when to hunt because season dates differ for each.
- Then decide when to hunt and the method of take to use: archery, muzzleloader or rifle.
- Select your hunt location. We refer to hunt locations as game management units (GMU's). GMU's divide up the entire state but not everyone is necessarily allowed to hunt in them. You want to check for public land accessibility. We don't want to intimidate you with terms, but it's good to know what everything is called. Public lands for hunting include the United States Forest Service (USFS), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), State Trust Lands, State Wildlife Areas, our Big Game Access Program in southeast Colorado and even some state parks. View the majority of the public land, along with all GMU's, on our Colorado Hunting Atlas. To access private land you need to have permission to access the land.
- Research the preference points needed to apply for limited licenses. Preference points are explained a few sections below.
- Consider over-the-counter (OTC) licenses. These licenses cover about 50 percent of the Colorado GMU's. They are a great "general" license option but don't offer the advantages of limited licenses like trophy-size big game or fewer hunters per game unit.
We want your Colorado hunting experience to be as successful and enjoyable as possible. If you have any questions concerning applications, regulations or finding a place to hunt, please call one of our Hunt Planners at 303-297-1192.
More in-depth steps to finding the right GMU
- Examine past success rates for elk and other big game species on our harvest statistics page.
- Track herd movements on the Colorado Hunting Atlas.
Season Advantages and Methods of Take Explained
Archery
- The archery season typically runs from the last weekend in August each year to the last weekend in September.
- Weather tends to be milder.
- Elk rut during this month-long season.
- Either-sex deer and elk draw licenses are available.
- Over-the-counter for both either-sex elk and pronghorn licenses are available.
Muzzleloader (check brochure for firearm-type restrictions)
- Typically one week each year in the middle of September.
- All licenses are limited by draw.
- Great time to be in Colorado’s back country!
- Typically overlaps with the rut.
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In Colorado, an over-the-counter bull tag allows you to hunt anywhere in 92 units. Season dates include two weekends.
Leftover licenses are available in early August 2012—check the list of available leftover licenses (updated every 15 minutes after sales start).
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R
ifle (Four Seasons)
- First season is restricted to elk limited licenses. (This information available about early August, 2012.)
- Typically takes place early to mid-October.
- Generally fewer hunters in the field.
- Elk hunters are not sharing the backcountry with deer hunters.
- Second season, typically in mid- to late-October, has elk and deer draws and over-the-counter elk licenses available.
- Third season, typically scheduled for early November, has elk and deer draws and over-the-counter elk licenses available.
- Cold and snow usually begins to move animals to lower elevations.
- Fourth season is limited to elk and deer draw licenses and takes place in mid-November.
- Typically colder weather at this time makes animals more accessible.
Game Management Units (GMU's) Explained
GMU's are very important for hunting in Colorado. They are the areas you choose to hunt. The
GMU map can be found in the back of the big game brochure. But, what exactly is a game management unit?
- Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) biologists have divided Colorado into Data Analysis Units, or DAU's, for the purpose of managing wildlife populations. Each DAU represents an area that a herd will utilize throughout the year. DAU's consist of one or more Game Management Units.
- GMU's are used to manage hunter distribution by setting the number of licenses, and type, that will be made available for sale. Each GMU has a set number of licenses available per season. When applying for a limited license, a GMU must be selected, along with the method of take to be used, and season choice.
- Most western Colorado GMU's also have unlimited over-the-counter (OTC) bull elk licenses available for the 2nd and 3rd rifle seasons. A specific GMU selection is not required when an OTC license is purchased.
- Approximately two-thirds of the GMUs offer either-sex and cow elk OTC archery licenses, and either-sex pronghorn OTC archery licenses.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife offers GMU tip sheets to help with the selection process. We recommend numbering your GMU selection down to a manageable size before looking at the GMU tip sheets since there over 170 available.
Preference Points for Limited Licenses Explained
Preference points are important because they play a major role in winning limited licenses in the spring draw, allowing you to hunt in areas that have trophy-size game and less hunters per unit.
Ninety-five to ninety-eight percent of GMU's require no preference points—or just a single preference point—in order to draw a limited license in those units. Take a look at the number of points required to hunt in the area you selected.
Preference points are earned when you apply for a limited license (by April 3, 2012) but are unsuccessful in drawing a license for your first choice.
You can also apply just for the purpose of earning a preference point, but all the hunter education requirements must be successfully completed before applying. The goal here would be to save up preference points to have a better advantage next year or whenever you choose. Preference points earned in the current year cannot be applied until the following year.
You can apply for a preference point and still buy an OTC license the same year.
How to Scout Your Area Before Buying a License
Read
Scouting Tips—The "Secrets to Success" and
Pre-scouting—Using Maps and GPS, both from Elk Hunting University.
The Big Game Brochure contains GMU map and tips about some areas. The interactive brochure contains some great introductory and how-to videos. You can also download the PDF version, order the printed version online or pick up a copy at a CPW wildlife service center or a license agent.
The GMU map is available in the Big Game Brochure, both print and online, however if you want to have a separate map here's the stand-alone GMU map 
.
State Wildlife Area Maps. Many Colorado Parks and Wildlife Areas provide opportunities to hunt and fish.
Big game hunting guides. These guides provide hunting information for Colorado, split into four areas. Included are statistics, directories—and some great hunting tips for each area.
Game Management Unit Tip Sheets contain valuable information specific to each hunting unit in Colorado. The tips sheets are a great place for hunters to begin planning their hunt, as they include information about terrain, vegetation, herd estimates, hunting tips, access and more.
Also consider:
Road and trail closures can unexpectedly ruin your hunting trip. Check for road/land closures in the area you plan to hunt.
Be informed about the pine bark beetle epidemic. It's a huge problem in some parts of Colorado and can cause road and trail closures, affect herd movements, among other problems. Get the latest information from the US Forest Service about pine bark beetle mitigation work that may take place near your planned hunting area.
Other Helpful Sources of Information
Subscribe to the
DOW Insider to receive updates on the hunting season and deadline reminders.
The Colorado Outdoors Magazine contains great content about hunting and fishing, among other Colorado outdoor topics. A one-year, bi-monthly subscription is $13. The subscription includes your choice of either the annual Hunting Guide or Fishing Guide ($5 each if purchased separately).
Improve your skills in the field—for before and after the hunt: Buy Down to the Bone and Elk Hunting, Colorado, DVDs, for just $17.95 each.
Considering the services of an outfitter or guide? A list of state-licensed outfitters and guides is available at http://www.coloradooutfitters.org/. Also, look over Finding an Elk Hunt Outfitter from Elk Hunting University.
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