hunting trips colorado

Hunting in Colorado

39 hunting trips from 10 outfitters starting from a 18,180

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Colorado is an elk hunter’s paradise. It is a high, rugged, mountainous state, the only state in the U.S. that lies entirely above 3,200 feet elevation. The eastern part of Colorado consists of high plains, which are a mix of prairie, forests, buttes, and canyons, much of it covered in farms and ranches. The western half of Colorado is covered by the southern Rocky Mountains. Colorado contains some of the most mountainous country in the U.S., including some 53 peaks that are 14,000 feet or higher in elevation above sea level, known as fourteeners. These mountains are largely covered in conifer forests and aspen stands, providing a haven for elk and other wildlife. Colorado has more elk than any other state, and is one of the few places where hunters can buy elk licenses over the counter for certain units and seasons, without applying in advance, which makes it a popular destination for do-it-yourself hunts and last-minute bookings for outfitted hunts. Over-the-counter licenses are often also available for archery pronghorn hunts and in certain units for white-tailed deer. Most other hunting licenses are issued through a drawing. Besides elk, huntable game in Colorado includes white-tailed deer and mule deer, moose, pronghorn antelope, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, mountain lions, and black bears. The world-record typical mule deer, which scored 226 4/8, was shot in Colorado in 1972. Upland birds and waterfowl are also popular draws for hunters. To buy a hunting license in Colorado, you’ll be required to show your hunter’s safety card. Colorado hunters are also required to wear 500 square inches of blaze orange. Specific regulations and more information about Colorado hunting is available through Colorado Parks & Wildlife: http://cpw.state.co.us/thingstodo/Pages/BigGame.aspx . Find information about licensed outfitters at the Colorado Outfitters Association: http://coloradooutfitters.org .

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Rifle Hunting

Hunting From a Blind

Game classification All classifications (7)

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Dark Goose Over Fields '24

7 day Elk / Deer hunting packages for 5

Colorado Rifle Elk Hunt

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Silver Spur Outfitters

Prime colorado private hunting land, that is our secret. we specialize in guided elk and mule deer hunts on some of the best private land in western colorado..

• Mule Deer Hunts

Come hunt Garfield County, Colorado, where many Boone and Crocket Mule Deer bucks have been harvested.

With large populations of elk, Western Colorado delivers great elk hunting opportunities.

Trophy Gallery

Elk Hunting

Mountain Lion

Turkey Hunting

Bear Hunting

Book Your Next Hunt!

At Silver Spur Outfitters, we have many years of experience and have been in business since 1993. Since we pride our hunters and offer great quality hunting guides, we are 100% fair chase.

Our goal is to provide the best fair chase Colorado Elk Hunting and Trophy Mule Deer Hunting available. We offer Fully Guided hunts on prime private land and have some drop camp options available.

Colorado Hunting – The Hunt of a Lifetime Silver Spur strives to give you the Western hunt of a lifetime. We can provide you the elk hunt and mule deer hunt you want and customize your hunt specifically for your individual hunting needs.

Now offering hunts for the following:

• Mountain Lion Hunts
• Turkey Hunts

Our personal service is the heart of our business.

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Western Colorado’s Premiere Outfitter

Why choose silver spur outfitters.

Private hunting land is the key to our success. We are currently elk hunting and trophy mule deer hunting over 24,000 private acres of prime Elk and Mule Deer habitat. We have recently added some BLM permits to further enhance our fully guided hunts When you want a quality Colorado hunting experience consider Silver Spur Outfitters.

We offer rifle hunting excursions as well as archery hunting for those who like a different type of challenge. If you are looking to go hunting in Colorado then consider booking a guided hunting trip with Silver Spur. Our Colorado hunting guides are some of the best that Colorado has to offer. We are the preferred Colorado hunting outfitter for many hunting enthusiasts. We are located in the heart of Western Colorado.

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I really enjoyed high country camp hunt.Guides n Tommy ,the camp hand were really awesome.Silver Spur Outfitters provided a great experience.Saw bear,mule deer,and some nice elk.PS.the food was great....

Hey, I just wanted to thank ya'll for every thing. I had a great time and it was a "once in a lifetime" event for me, and I loved it. So thanks again and here are a couple of pics of the animals that I was able to harvest.

Thank you, thank you, thank you...It was such a great hunt that words cannot describe my feelings. I have pictures on the way and also a DVD of the shot and the emotions that follow. Mike did such a great job with the video. You were right the third year was definitely the charm. I had know idea that you meant the charm of a lifetime. Thanks again

Reverse 7L Outfitters

Fully Guided Colorado Hunting Trips for Elk, Mule Deer, Bear

Welcome to Reverse 7 L Outfitters! We are a family owned business with over 30 years of experience offering Colorado hunting trips for elk, mule deer, bear, antelope and turkey. These big game hunts are conducted by vehicle, horseback, and foot depending on best need for the specific hunt. We are excited to serve you and provide an exceptional Colorado hunting trip and experience you won’t forget. We have taken our knowledge and learning experiences to build a first-class hunt for our clients. At Reverse 7 L Outfitters, we pride ourselves in customer service and look forward to providing you with a quality Colorado hunt !

We guide in the following Colorado hunting units:

Unit 22 Hunts: Elk , Deer, Bear, Turkey (25,000 Private Acres | View Info )

Unit 32 Hunts: Elk, Deer , Bear, Turkey

Unit 33 Hunts: Elk, Deer, Bear , Turkey

Unit 42 Hunts: Elk, Deer, Bear, Turkey

Make sure to ask us about our MILITARY DISCOUNT !

Fully-Guided Colorado Hunting Trips

Colorado hunting and outdoor news.

2024 CPW Hunting Regulations Release

New Leases In Unit 22 Total 25,000 Acres

23′ Season Hunts Available

Colorado outfitter reviews..

Great people, hunting and camp! If you are looking for those fenced elk farms to hunt than Reverse 7 is not for you. But, if you are looking for real wild Elks on open private land with the guide next to you than Reverse 7 is the only way to go. I booked my guided archery Elk hunt with Reverse 7 and I’m very happy with my decision. There is plenty of other Colorado outfitters out there but Reverse is just on the different level. Great stuff, great people, beautiful camp and definitely delicious meals. I’m definitely coming back next September for another Elk. Read review on Google.com .

Get you on the elk! Bo and the gang are top notch. I don’t know much but I know big wood from kindlin, and if your looking for an all but sure fire chance at drawing blood then you give these guys a shot. Been tearing through the wilderness with these guys for over 5 years and haven’t had to eat tag sandwich yet. Rompin & Stompin!!! Big Ben form Arkansas. Read review on Google.com .

Any Colorado big game hunt! Bo at Reverse 7 L Outfitters is a first class outfitter. Have had the privilege to hunt with him for 2 years. The ultimate outdoorsman, go the extra mile and will make every human attempt possible to make your have a successful hunt. If you want to road hunt, to strapping your boots on and make the hike, he will match want you want. Very professional, ultimate gentleman, great people to be around. I would recommend him for any type of big game hunting. Can’t go wrong. Mitchell from CA. Read review on Google.com .

They have the birds! The owners were extremely quick to respond once I reached out to them via Book Your Hunt. Once I arrived, I met up with Bo (owner) and Tanner (guide) and they were extremely friendly and knowledgeable of the turkey patterns. I had two days to hunt and both days, multiple times we had mature birds close. Tanner went above and beyond to try and put me in the best spot possible to harvest a bird. He was super friendly and an expert at calling. Bo called multiple times each day to make sure things were going well, which I appreciated. I was lucky enough to harvest a bird on the last afternoon. The terrain was relatively easy to traverse which was nice. I will definitely be booking with them in the future. Thanks again for a great time! Read review on BookYourHunt.com .

Lodging for your Colorado elk and deer hunting trip.

Relax in camp at one of Reverse 7 L Outfitters Colorado cabins while you enjoy your hunt trip. Each hunting camp has a modern cabin(s) for accommodations. These newly built, comfortable log lodges offer hunters all the amenities such as; running well water, propane & wood heat, septic, shower. Best of all you will be rested for chasing elk and mule deer the following day. Big game hunt pricing includes lodging. 

REVERSE 7L OUTFITTERS, LLC

375 Co Rd 251, Rifle, CO 81650

Outfitter # 3481 | Bonded & Insured

Archery Elk Muzzy Elk Rifle Elk

Archery Deer Muzzy Deer Rifle Deer

Other Hunts

Turkey Hunts Bear Hunts Predator Hunts

UNITS WE GUIDE

Unit 22 Unit 32 Unit 33 Unit 42

PLAN YOUR HUNT

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Copyright © 2024 · Reverse 7 L Outfitters, LLC | Privacy Policy | Website & Marketing By 2Rivers Media

Big Country Outfitters

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J & D Outfitters

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Pronghorn Hunts

Spring Turkey Hunts

Cripple Creek

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Cross Mountain Outfitters

Four Mile Ranch

• North Mountain Ranch
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The Best Fully-Guided Hunts In Colorado & Kansas

Excellent opportunities from 4 different locations.

Hunt monster mulies or whitetails on the Eastern plains of Colorado.

Trophy pronghorn hunts on more than 200,000 acres of private land.

High percentage hunts for beautiful Merriam torms in Colorado and Rios in Kansas

Ranching For Wildlife Hunts

Trophy elk hunts in NW Colorado with Cross Mountain Outfitters.

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North Mountain Outfitters

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J & D OUTFITTERS & GUIDE SERVICE

J & D Outfitters is a family owned business that has exclusive hunting rights to several thousand acres of private mountain ranches, as well as several ranches across the Eastern plains of Colorado. In an effort to provide you with a quality hunt and exceptional harvest opportunities, we strongly manage our number of hunters and the harvest of animals. We offer private land Elk, Mule Deer , Pronghorn and Turkey hunts throughout various locations in the state of Colorado. We also conduct Ranching for Wildlife Hunts in units 3, 4, 12, 13, 131 and 231 located in the Northwest corner of Colorado. Part of our operations are conducted on Pikes Peak Ranger Districts.

J&D Outfitters and Guide Service, Inc. is an equal opportunity service provider and employer. J&D Outfitters and Guide Service, Inc. operates under special use permit from the USDA Forest Service and Pike National Forest.

J & D Outfitters has several hunting properties across Colorado to provide you with the best opportunities.

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J & D Outfitters & Guide Service, Inc.

Arapaho Wilderness Outfitters, LLC

Granby, Colorado

Welcome to ARAPAHO WILDERNESS OUTFITTERS, LLC

Arapaho Wilderness Outfitters, provides you with a once in a lifetime wilderness experience. Our Colorado elk hunting camps include a main cook tent as well as several client tents. These tents provide you with that rugged outdoor experience with some of the comforts of home. Each sleeping tent comes furnished with individual cots, cot trees, and wood-burning stoves. Our camp cook will make sure you always have hearty meals and our wranglers and guides take care of the rest of the chores.

Our main trailhead is approximately 15 miles north/then southeast of Granby, Colorado, off of Hwy 6. Base camp (depending on the location used) is normally about 2-3 miles on horseback from the designated trailhead.

Our primary base camp is nestled into the south side of a beautiful lake in a peaceful meadow, surrounded by some of the most beautiful Peaks in Colorado. Not far from this particular camp is the Arapaho Creek and Buchanan Creek where you can fish for trout.

See Our Packages

Here at Arapaho Wilderness Outfitters, We Offer Premier Backcountry  Hunts in Colorado. Click The Button Below To View All Our Packages. Feel Free To Contact Us If You Have Any Questions About Booking Your Trip

Ready For Your Hunt?

Wondering what to pack? At Arapaho Wilderness Outfitters, we made it easy for you! Check out our suggested packing list to make sure you have all the right gear for your next hunt.

Looking For A Once-In-A-Lifetime Hunt?

Give Us A Call Or Fill Out Our  Contact Form To Book Your Dates Today! We Are Looking Forward To Meeting You.

Taylorsville, GA 30178

Email: [email protected]

Phone Number: 678-255-5372

Arapaho Wilderness 2024 |  Mallard Bay | Powered by Guide Tech

We are proud to announce that Arapaho Wilderness Outfitters is now back in the hands of its ORIGINAL OWNERS! We have successfully ran our outfitting business within the Indian Peaks Wilderness Area since 1999, taking brief retirement from 2017 – until 2020. — Sadly, things did not work out with the new owners and although our retirement was short lived — we knew we had put too much work, heart and soul into our business and just could not let it go! We ensure you that we are going to rebuild the reputation and standing that we worked so hard to build for over 18 years, by assuring you that the supreme quality of our camps, hunts and top-notch customer service will be as it was in years past. Our clients have always trusted us from the very beginning and we intend to build back upon that trust and we look forward to seeing you in camp with us very soon!

Steve Nunley Denise Nunley Alan Bryson

Story Creek Outfitters

Story Creek Outfitters - Southern Colorado's Premier Private Ranch Big Game Hunting Outfitter.

• Ranch History
• Guided Hunts With Lodging
• Hunter Packing List
• SCO’s Wall of Fame
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• September 9, 2024

Story Creek Outfitters | Home

Story creek outfitters specializes in custom big game hunting trips that include accommodations, food, transportation and guides. we offer  exclusive elk hunting in the amazingly productive gmu 85 of southern colorado, where bulls 5×5 or better will be taken.  pronghorn antelope are hunted in gmu unit 133, where the number one and two scoring antelope in all of colorado were taken on our property during archery hunts, in 2006..

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Mountain Meadow Ranch

This ranch is unique in that we can offer the rare opportunity to rifle hunt during the rut. We have guaranteed licenses for this ranch through Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Hunts on this ranch start in early September and run through November. We run a 5 day fully guided hunt. Accommodations include meals and lodging at a ranch house/lodge with a full time cook and modern amenities. This ranch is 13,000+ acres of totally private, secluded elk habitat. It is a breeding ground and sanctuary for trophy class elk. A diverse combination of open meadows, rolling hills, and mountain terrain densely covered in spruce, pine, and aspen. Elevations range from 9,000' - 11,000'. Ranch roads make for easily accessible hunting areas.

There is nothing more exciting than being in the woods while the rut is at it's peak and the bulls are on full display. Bugling to show their dominance over challengers and to attract cows to their harem. Even though a harvest is not guaranteed we are consistently 100% on opportunity. See our pricing page for dates and details, or contact us here.

The Rose, & Yellico Ranches

Located in Game Management units 69/84 these ranches contiguously combined offer more than 17,000 acres of private hunting. Ranging in elevation from roughly 5,000' - 6,500'. Consisting of expansive meadows, Pinyon & Juniper, and deep canyons in the lower elevations, to Oak brush, scattered mountain parks and dense stands of Ponderosa pine in the higher elevations. The terrain is best suited for spot and stalk. Ranch roads and ATV trails make for easily accessible hunting areas. Hunting packages are for archery, muzzleloader, and rifle. We offer a 5 day fully guided hunt. Accommodations include meals and lodging, either at a ranch bunkhouse or the primary ranch house/lodge.

All tags are obtained through the draw process. Applications must be turned in to Colorado Parks and Wildlife no later than April 2, 2024. For more information on the draw system and license preference points, contact the Colorado Parks and Wildlife at 303-297-1192. Hunts fill up quickly so it is best to let us know your draw status as soon as possible (Usually by the end of May) If you book your hunt early and do not draw, we can refund your deposit or apply it to the following year. Keep in mind, these ranches also have limited private landowner vouchers available for purchase through us, allowing you to keep accumulating your preference points. Vouchers must be reserved with a 50% deposit. See our pricing page for dates and details or contact us here. *** Combination Elk & Deer hunts available ***

The Nash Ranch

Located in Game Management unit 581 at elevations ranging from approx. 8,000' - 9,000'. You'll be hunting on private land with open meadows, rolling hills, with areas of Mountain Mahogany, Ponderosa pine, Spruce, and Aspen stands. Hunting packages are for archery, muzzleloader and rifle. We offer a 4 day fully guided hunt. Accommodations include meals and lodging at a ranch house. Tag Status       Archery -            Bull or Cow - Over the counter     Muzzleloader -   Bull or Cow - Draw only     1st Rifle -             Bull or Cow - Draw only     2nd Rifle -           Bull - Over the counter                                  Cow - Draw only     3rd Rifle -            Bull - Over the counter                                  Cow - Draw only     4th Rifle -            Bull or Cow - Draw only

For the tags obtained through the draw process. Applications must be turned in to Colorado Parks and Wildlife no later than April 2, 2024. For more information on the draw system and license preference points, contact the Colorado Parks and Wildlife at 303-297-1192. Hunts fill up quickly so it is best to let us know your draw status as soon as possible (Usually by the end of May). If you book your hunt early and do not draw, we can refund your deposit or apply it to the following year. Keep in mind, this ranch also has limited private landowner vouchers available for purchase through us, allowing you to keep accumulating your preference points. Vouchers must be reserved with a 50% deposit. See our pricing page for dates and details or contact us here. *** Combination Elk & Deer hunts available ***

Sangre de Cristo Outfitters, Inc

Experience Colorado Elk Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep plus Mule Deer , Antelope , Mountain Lion , Black Bear , Merriam's Turkey , Varmit / Predator hunting

• Reservations
• Trophy Room
• Tom Schulze : 719-783-2265
• Bill Schulze : 719-429-2214
• Travis Schulze: 719-330-7783
• Email : [email protected]
• 483 CR 270, Westcliffe, CO 81252

© Copyright 2024 - Sangre de Cristo Outfitters: License #417, Bonded, Insured Members of AgSearch.us . Website and hosting by Hale Multimedia .

Why Hunt at C Lazy U Ranch?

C Lazy U Outfitters offers inclusive big game hunting trips for elk, mule deer and pronghorn antelope in Colorado, with archery, muzzle loader and rifle hunts from September through November. Our guided hunting trips are led by experienced guides in a fair-chase environment on predominately private land, with some public land on the property boundaries.

Bring home a trophy mule deer, thanks to C Lazy U's substantial resident herd and the migratory route that bisects the property, which brings in those elusive monster bucks.

• Bring your family! They will love the non-hunting activities we offer, which even includes a supervised kids' program so your significant other can have some alone time.
• Custom hunts are our specialty! From mobility issues to combo hunts, we work with you every step of the way to ensure you have the experience of a lifetime.
• We are passionate about rendering excellent hunts through the practice of sustainable hunting, and manage our free-range herds and their habitats year-round.

We look forward to welcoming you to the ranch for your once-in-a-lifetime guided hunting trip in Colorado.

The signature C Lazy U hunt is one of our premier guided elk hunts, thanks to Colorado's large elk population. Because we are located just 10 miles from Rocky Mountain National Park, we have some of the largest migrating elk herds crossing our 16,000 acres—and when elk hunting in Colorado at C Lazy U , you'll see bulls ranging from 200” to 300” in size! Our world-class hunting guides can accommodate all hunter needs and styles, guiding archery, muzzle loader and rifle elk hunting trips.

Combo Elk & Mule Deer

The C Lazy U Ranch is one of the best mule deer habitats in Colorado: year after year, we see trophy mule deer roll in for the rut. While on Colorado mule deer hunts at C Lazy U Ranch, you will see mule deer ranging in size from 150” to 190” — and even larger. To maintain a quality deer population, we offer approximately eight rifle guided deer hunts each year.

Pronghorn Antelope

Similar to our elk and mule deer herds, we have several pronghorn antelope that summer on the sage flats of the C Lazy U Ranch. We accommodate 1-3 hunters per year depending on interest and successful landowner tag applications. Our fully guided hunts are designed around 3 days in early October. Please call for more information on this hunt.

Rates for Colorado hunting trip packages are per person for six nights, five days.

Rate includes the following:

• Complimentary shuttle from Granby Airport and the Amtrak train station in Granby. Shuttle services from/to other places can be arranged.
• Luxury accommodations based on double occupancy
• Three meals daily, prepared by our in-house chef
• Transportation in the field
• One-on-one guided hunting each day with our expert guides
• Most ranch activities, including horseback riding indoors and on trails, mountain biking on our fleet of Spot Bikes, and fly fishing with Orvis equipment.
• Our complimentary Fall Kids' Club for children age 3 to 17
• Spa services, trap shooting and the ropes course & zipline are also available at a la carte rates.

For more detailed information about C Lazy U hunting experiences, please visit the Plan Your Trip page.

$8,500 /person

Muzzle Loader:

$11,000 /person

$3,500 /person

Combo Elk & Mule Deer Hunts

$15,000 /person

Pronghorn Antelope Hunts

Important information.

Non-hunting companions are welcome at our normal inclusive rates.

Single occupancy is available at an additional fee per person per night.

These rates do not include airfare, hunting license, meat processing, taxidermy, incidental charges and normal tax and service charge.

A 30% deposit is due at the time of booking to secure your reservation. The remainder will be charged to your card 60 days prior to arrival. All payments are non-refundable unless a replacement hunter can be found.

All or part of this operation is conducted on Public Lands under special permit from the U.S. Bureau of Land Management.

00 = Not available

00 = Sold Out

Critical Information

Hunter safety.

All hunters born after January 1, 1949 MUST have completed an approved hunter education course before applying for or buying a Colorado hunting license.

For more information about this requirement, please visit the Colorado Parks & Wildlife website .

Hunting Licenses

You will need to purchase the appropriate hunting License(s) for your hunt. We will assist you with this every step of the way, and ensure you are ready to legally hunt when you arrive.

Feel free to visit the Colorado Parks & Wildlife website's Plan Your Hunt page for very detailed information on preparing for a big-game hunt in Colorado, or download this PDF Big Game Planner .

Request More Information

You may also like:, awards & accolades.

Legacy Ranch member of the Colorado Dude & Guest Ranch Association

Wine Spectator Award of Excellence 9th year in a row

C Lazy U is a regular Top Ten Winner

Consistently in the Top 10 Colorado Resorts

Consistently in the Top Ten All-Inclusive Family Resorts

C Lazy U consistently ranks in Travel+Leisure's Top 500 Hotels Worldwide

Voted Best All-Inclusive Family Resort in 2023 and 2024

Reviews from millions of Tripadvisor travelers place C Lazy U Ranch in the top 10% worldwide!

Chosen as one of the finest fly fishing lodges in the world by Gene Kilgore

Best Guest Ranch Suites in the American West

Gold Member of the Gene Kilgore's Ranch Vacations Web

C Lazy U was named a winner in Oprah Daily's inaugural 2024 Hotel O-Wards

Colorado (US) Hunting Trips and Hunting Outfitters

Colorado Elk Hunting, Mule Deer Hunting, & Pronghorn Antelope Hunting  on Private Ranches in the Colorado Rockies

OUR HUNTING OPERATION:

Rocky Mountain Ranches, Ltd., is a licensed Colorado big game hunting outfitter specializing in offering non-guided hunts on one of our many private ranches. We offer many excellent opportunities for Colorado elk hunting, Colorado mule deer hunting, and Colorado pronghorn antelope hunting on private ranches in the Colorado Rockies. Our Colorado hunting and outfitting service can provide you, the big game hunter, with archery, muzzle loader and rifle hunts on a variety of ranches and types of terrain. Our specialty is outfitting do-it-yourself, non-guided, trespass fee big game hunts on private Northwest Colorado ranches ranging in size from 1000 to 6000 acres.  

Owned and managed by guide and licensed Colorado big game outfitter Joe Monchelli, Rocky Mountain Ranches, Ltd., provides a way for you to enjoy some of the finest elk, mule deer, and pronghorn antelope hunting properties in Colorado. All of our elk hunting takes place in 4-point or better Colorado hunting units, which improves your chances for a mature bull elk. Our client success for over 20 years is the reason why more than 50% of our hunts are booked by repeat clients every year.  

We offer the best possible ranch opportunities based on the specific animal you are looking to hunt. Our high desert ranches are a great option for mule deer and antelope hunts while our moderate elk ranches and high country elk ranches can provide great opportunities for  Colorado elk and elk/mule deer combo hunts. Having multiple ranch choices allows us as the outfitter to help you decide on one that will best suit your group’s terrain preference, physical ability, and put a direct focus on having good concentrations of the animal you are looking to hunt.  

Our non-guided, do-it-yourself hunts can prove to be more rewarding than a fully guided hunt and are offered at a fraction of the price. Considering the great advantages of Colorado private land hunts versus public land hunting, it is no surprise that many hunters are choosing Rocky Mountain Ranches, Ltd.. We are able to offer you a superior Colorado hunting experience by accepting only a limited number of big game hunters on our ranches each year. By controlling the amount of hunting pressure as well as the vehicle travel on our private land, we increase your chances of a successful elk, mule deer, or antelope hunt.

RANCHING FOR WILDLIFE

In addition to our non-guided private ranch hunts. Rocky Mountain Ranches also offers a very limited number of fully guided Ranching for Wildlife hunts. These incredibly sought after Ranching for Wildlife properties offer some very unique advantages and season choices. Get more info about our Ranching for Wildlife hunts here.

COLORADO HUNTING LOCATIONS: 

Colorado is home to the largest elk population in the world, and our hunting area is famous for its extraordinary elk, deer, and antelope hunting. Located in the Craig-Steamboat Springs area of Northwest Colorado, Rocky Mountain Ranches, Ltd., manages hunting properties that offer varying types of hunting terrain, from heavily forested elk habitat to rolling sage-dotted countryside where mule deer and antelope abound. Surrounded by beautiful Colorado scenery, you might want to spend some of your time taking pictures. Contact us to find out which ranch is best suited for your group.

Colorado Elk Hunts

• Self Guided drop camp: From drive in, fully outfitted tent camps to a beautiful log cabin.
• Guided Rifle Hunts: Fully guided hunts on a 2 x 1 basis.
• Late Season Cow Elk: December hunts, fully guided with five full days of hunting

LET US GUIDE YOUR NEXT HUNT!

What we offer.

• Guided rifle Hunts
• self guided drop camps
• Late season cow elk
• Cabin Hunts
• Archery Hunts
• Muzzleoloading rifle hunts
• antelope and mule deer hunts

Where we hunt

Ivory & Antler Outfitters

720-218-4677

Colorado Elk Hunting Outfitters | Free Range Elk Hunts

Colorado Private Land Guided Elk Hunts

You will be able to hunt four private ranches (55,000 acres) along with approximately one thousand acres of BLM land, reaching an altitude of well over 10,000 feet. Our elk hunts are fair chase , and the terrain and scenery are breathtaking. With only 36% of Jackson County being private property, pressured elk to seek out the protection of private lands for safety, which is where the majority of our hunting takes place. Our ranches are on the fringes of the timber and offer significant agriculture opportunities, making this prime free-range elk habitat very productive for our hunters. The elk herd stands at almost 20 bulls for 100 cow elk. The Colorado Department of Wildlife’s studies show this ratio is increasing, which means your opportunity for a bull is significantly higher than public lands throughout other parts of Colorado. In 2018, studies showed that the harvest success rate for all elk across the state was around 18%; in the last five years, our success rate was far better than the state average.

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Elk Hunting Location - Top Colorado Elk Hunting Units

GMU's (Game Management Units) - 6/16/17/171

If you choose to use us as your Elk hunting outfitter , you will be hunting in Rifle units 16/17/171 (archery is a statewide over-the-counter tag, so no unit is assigned) located in historic Jackson County, CO. This region is comprised of over a million acres and holds one of the strongest elk migration routes in the state of Colorado. In fall and early winter, the herd, which is estimated at over 10,000 strong, migrate down from the surrounding local mountain ranges and as far away as the Rocky Mountains National Park and move directly through our private hunting ranches towards The Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge located less than 10 miles to the north of our elk ranches where they will winter until spring. Specifically, you will be hunting just outside of the towns of Rand and Coalmont, CO. Rand is located about 3 hours Northwest of Denver at the base of Parkview Mountain at the south end of the North Park Region of Colorado. Coalmont is located 25 miles to the west of Rand and sits at the Eastern end of the Rabbit Ears Pass.  The North Park Region is surrounded by mountain crests of the Park Range, Medicine Bow Range, and Never Summer Range. This area offers open sagebrush country and willow flat marshes surrounded by aspen, fir, and pine forests, reaching elevations beyond the tree line. With breathtaking views of Parkview Mountain to the south, the Never Summer Mountain Range and the Continental Divide to the southeast, and the rugged Buffalo Peaks to the west, you will truly find your place in the world!

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Trophy Elk CO

2024 Colorado Elk Season Dates

Muzzleloader Elk (Draw Only) September 14 - September 22 Hunt Code: Either Sex E-E-006-O1-M

Early Rifle (Private Land Cow Only) Aug 15 - January 31 Hunt Code: E-F-006-P5-R

Rifle Elk First Season (Draw Only) October 12 - October 16 Hunt Code: Either Sex E-E-006-P1-R - Cow E-F-006-O1-R

Rifle Elk Second Season October 26 - November 3 Hunt Code: Bull - OTC (Over the Counter) License - Cow E-F-006-O2-R

Rifle Elk Third Seasons November 9 - November 15 Hunt Code: Bull - OTC (Over the Counter) License - Cow E-F-017-O3-R

Rifle Elk Fourth Season (Draw Only) November 20 - November 24 Hunt Code: Either Sex E-E-017-O4-R - Cow E-F-017-O4-R

Aug / Sept Cow Elk Hunts

Common Questions About Colorado Elk Hunts

What supplies do i need to bring with me when i hunt elk on your ranch.

You will need to bring your weapon of choice. Make sure to bring an appropriate caliber for CO Elk. You will also need hunting clothes and boots, a pack, binoculars, a range finder, and camp clothes. All towels and sleeping gear are provided at the ranch, along with a fully stocked kitchen where our cook prepares delicious meals. You may want to bring coolers or a freezer to get your meat home.

Are elk hunts on public or private land in Colorado?

You will be hunting mostly on our leased private land. We have access to over 50,000 acres of privately managed ground and BLM lands under special usage permits, allowing us to guide clients in a variety of habitats, terrain, and elevations. 95% of our elk hunting takes place on our private leases.

Do you charge elk hunting Trophy Fees?

No, the hunt price applies if you harvest a 200” bull or a 350” bull.

How big of a bull elk should I expect to harvest on my hunt?

We harvest bulls that are a good representation of what Colorado has to offer. Client’s harvest bulls scoring in the low to high 200” range with an outside opportunity at bulls scoring 300” – 320”.

What is the price of an elk hunting package?

See our rifle elk hunting packages on our  rates page .

What is included in the price of the CO elk hunt?

The price of the hunt includes meals, lodging, guide fees, incredible views, and an awesome experience.

What is NOT included in the price of the hunt?

• Hunting license & tag
• Game processing (we will gut and skin your elk and prepare it for processing)
• Guide/Cook Tips (Recommend a minimum of 10% to guide, and $100/hunter or guest to cook)
• Transportation to our lodge from your home (Once you are at the lodge, we transport clients to the daily hunting spots)

Do you offer self-guided/semi-guided elk hunts or drop camps in Colorado?

No, we are 100% Fully Guided only.

How many clients per each guide?

Our elk hunts are 2 Clients for 1 guide.

Can I upgrade to a 1:1 elk hunt?

You can in select seasons only, please talk to Earl about this availability and cost.

How do I purchase an elk hunting license and tag in Colorado?

Some of our seasons offer over-the-counter licenses (Archery, Second Rifle, Third Rifle). Others are draw licenses (Muzzleloader, First Rifle, and Fourth Rifle) Muzzleloader is the hardest to draw, clients will require 2-6 points to draw depending on if you’re a resident or non-resident. First/Fourth Rifle will require 0-1 point to draw. We help all clients with the application process if needed.

Do you help take care of my animal after it’s down?

Yes, our guides will gut the animal in the field. It will then be loaded up on our ranch equipment and taken to our skinning shed to be hung, skinned, and capped if applicable. We will also pull the ivory and clean them up so you can take them home with you. We will then help transport to our preferred partner processor in Walden, CO, around 20 miles north of our lodge. If you are taking it home to have it processed, we will help quarter and pack your meat in your coolers or freezers.

Do you have a list of references I can talk to who have hunted with you before?

Yes, we will provide references upon request. You can check out client reviews on our website's home page. Scroll down to the bottom to find the reviews, and you can also check out more reviews on our Facebook or Yelp pages.

How do I book a hunt with I&A Outfitters?

We require a 50% deposit to hold reservations. The hunt balance is then due either 90 days before your hunt start date or by July 30th if you are hunting in November.

What if I book a hunt and then need to cancel?

We understand that life sometimes interrupts your plans. Because of our hunt schedule and Colorado’s license system, we most likely will not be able to move you to another date in the same year. However, we do allow you to move your hunt to the following year provided that we are notified at least 60 days before your hunt start date; anything within 60 days of your hunt start date will not allow for any refunds or change in schedule. Cancellations are not allowed.

Do you offer any discounted pricing for youth hunters?

No, we work just as hard for a youth hunter as we do for any other clients, therefore we do not offer any youth hunt pricing breaks.

Do you offer any discounts for more than 1 hunter in a group?

No, with our 2:1 client-to-guide ratio, we are set up to handle clients who come in alone or with groups.

What is the closest airport to your hunting ranch in CO?

Denver International Airport is 120 miles from our ranch. You can rent a car at the airport and drive to our ranch (drive time is approx. 3 hours). You can also fly into Cheyenne, Wyoming, or Steamboat Springs to shorten your drive by around 1-2 hours. If you have your own plane, you can land in Walden, Colorado, and we can pick you up! We DO NOT do pick-ups at any other airport.

What Game Management Units do you guide in?

GMU 16, 17, and 171

How physically demanding are your hunts?

Moderate to difficult. Our hunts are not easy, but they are not hard either. What makes our ranches more difficult, it the elevation of 8,600 – 10,000 feet. Its not steep country, it’s more rolling hills with every habitat the west has to offer. Physically that can be an adjustment from sea level or lower elevations. Clients hunt open sage flats, timber fringes, groves of aspens to hillsides of dark timber, so being physically prepared is important, not from the aspect of climbing a mountain, but from the aspect of seeing elk and being able to move quickly to get in front of the herd in order to get into position for a shot.

What kind of weather can I expect on my hunt?

The Rocky Mountains have some of the most torrent weather in North America; it could be 20 degrees in the morning and 70 degrees during the day, and it could drop to sub-freezing in the afternoon if a storm blows in. One thing is certain: clients should be prepared for all seasons in one day!

Do you use horses or ATVs to get into your hunt areas?

We leave the lodge in the morning using the guides vehicles, from there you will walk into your hunting spot and hunt until midday where you will head back in for lunch, then the same in the afternoon. We do not use horses or atv’s to hunt the ranches, you will be doing that on foot or sitting on a high bluff overlooking huge expanses of land trying to locate elk. We also use elevated, heated blinds as stage points to glass for elk, which makes it nice on those cold and snowy days!

What kind of success rate do your clients see?

We measure client opportunity rates as success can mean different things to different people. On the whole, on average, the opportunity rate runs around 65%. However, some groups see opportunity rates closer to 95%, while others see those close to 20%. It all depends on the weather and other environmental factors that have been in play all year. Each year is different on our ranches, and each season is different on our ranches. Clients who book with us are looking for the experience, not so much the kill. Hunting free-range elk can be one of the most difficult hunts in North America, but the landscape and the people you're hunting with are really the best part of the experience!

Do you charge guest fees for non-hunters?

Guests are allowed, and there is a fee, but guests are only allowed if we have room at the lodge. Our priority is the hunting clients, but if there is room, we allow guests at a rate of $1,150 (3 Days), $1,750 (5 Days), $1,950 (6 Days), $2,275 (7 Days).

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Whether it is hunting Elk, Mule deer, or Bear in the beautiful Mountains of Colorado or taking a Horseback rides with amazing views, we are the Outfitter for your family & you! We also do Summer & Fall Pack Trips and Horseback riding combined with River Rafting.

Conveniently located in the beautiful South Routt Yampa Valley, just 45 minutes south of Steamboat Springs on Highway 131.

Our Elk hunting camp offers you the old-fashioned pack in style adventure. It is located in the back country of Colorado's unit #15. Our permit covers 52,000 acres of forest.

Our summer Wilderness pack trips take place in the Flattops Wilderness area. The ride to base camp is about an hour & half, along with experienced wranglers and fishing guides is a recipe for a trip of a life time for all ages, the high mountain lakes are simply spectacular, with a lot of trail's for riding and great fishing for cutthroat and brook trout.

We customize the trip to fit your needs, along with great food, a very comfortable camp, makes for great memories for years to come, however we know you will be back, check out our summer pack trip section for more details, early booking is essential for this trip.

On our Fall pack trips enjoy Colorado's beautiful fall colors and crisp mountain air, the sounds of Elk bugling and the warmth of a camp fire. Bring your cameras for a photography opportunity you won't forget.

Our “Saddles & Paddles” day adventures let you enjoy the magic of Colorado from our favorite perspectives – from the back of a horse and riding the rapids! Colorado's High Lonesome Outfitters teams up with multiple Colorado River Guide companies for a double fun filled day.

We are committed to giving you a high quality hunt or horseback riding experience and are very proud of the fact that so many of our hunters & riders have become such great friends.

Click on each of the buttons to explore each of our offerings further and look forward to hearing for you all!

Thank you for visiting our website.

Thank you for hosting a life-affirming pack trip into the Flat Tops last week--an experience for the ages.

Your horses, as always, were lively and responsive, so much fun to ride. The campsite was neat, shady, cozy, completely ready when we arrived. The tents were roomy - your cots the most comfortable I’ve ever slept on while camping - I woke refreshed and well rested every morning to the crackle of the campfire and the smell of brewing coffee. Speaking of coffee, we loved your food - grilled steaks and asparagus, tender Dutch oven chicken and dumplings, steaming hot Dutch oven peach cobbler, s’mores, savory breakfasts hot off the griddle.

We'll never forget the sublime scenery: the fire-red alpenglow reflected in Sand Lake our first night; the dramatic snow-encrusted Flat Tops cliffs as we rode below them; the wildflowers; the beaver damns and crystal-clear creeks; the three elk checking us out from across the meadow; the sky so big and blue. Nor, of course, will we forget riding and fishing and hiking and laughing and whittling (sorry about breaking your knife!!) and playing games by campfire. No phones. No internet. No television. Not another soul within miles. Time to let go, to unwind, to pay attention, to rediscover the depths of our souls and the love in our hearts.

--Here's a LINK to a 2-min video Jack took of the trip. He gives his permission for you to use it in any promotional materials. ;-) Watch Video...

Sincerely---Mary FitzSimons

My wife, daughter and I had a wonderful experience today. The day was designed to create memories that will sustain us in the brief break between my last two months away from family, and my two months in Afghanistan, with only this week in between. Tim and Cole were fantastic guides - both very personable, knowledgeable and fun to be around. They obviously know their business and enjoy what they do. That's infectious and made the beautiful day all the more wonderful. The horses were all impressive and well-mannered, and the ride was breath-takingly beautiful. The price was very reasonable, especially when coupled with the Saddle and Paddle day package.

Thanks again, Kevin

Wow, we had a fantastic time on our ride!! Thank you so much. We will be back next time we are in Steamboat. happy riding.

Sincerely, Sallie & Ron ~ Pennsylvania

Thank you so much for letting Lauren ride Molly the mule. You made her trip to the mountains very memorable. We hope to see you in the future!

Jerry, Debbie and Lauren ~ Denver, Colorado

I wanted to drop a note to say again how much I enjoyed hunting with you and the rest of your staff at Colorado's High Lonesome Outfitters. I have been on a few guided hunts in my past and this was by far the greatest and finest hunt that I have been on. I look forward to hunting with your team again in the near future. Next time I hope to get a good bull. but like I said to you last week "harvesting a bull is just the icing on the cake". It is great that I now no longer have to look for guides or hunts. Again, you and your team Tom, Jason, Joe, Melvin & Matt made this hunt for me.

Adios Amigo! Randy ~ North Carolina

The Best Hunting Experience

From the mountains to the plains, we have the trophy hunt you're looking for!

Professional Guides for Hunting and Tours

Colorado Mountains & Plains Outfitters is a proven guide company based in Walsenburg, CO. We have the best hunting grounds and teams for your outdoor adventure.

Hunting Grounds

Aside from cedar canyons and open plains to the east, our lands are surrounded by thick mountain forests and rugged snow-capped Rocky Mountains to the west. The hunting ground covers 75,000 acres of land with an elevation of 5,000 to 10,000 ft.

We have an outstanding professional team that will help you on your hunting trip. They have years of experience helping hunters from all over the world fulfill their dreams of the perfect outdoor adventure.

Our guided hunts last for five days. One guide may accommodate two hunters, and one on one hunts are also available.

Accommodations

We provide four-wheel drive transportation and three home-cooked meals per day. Lodging depends upon your hunt of choice, commonly a three-bedroom ranch house.

Have you been searching for a Colorado trophy hunt?

Throughout our site you will notice we have a wonderful selection of  guided hunting trips  and  Colorado hunting guides . All of our Colorado hunts are offered at excellent prices. Whether you are looking for hunting land in Colorado or a trophy hunt, you will find we have what you need.

We offer five day guided hunts, one guide per two hunters,one on one hunts are also available.

Four wheel drive transportation and three home cooked meals per day are provided. Lodging is dependent upon your hunt of choice, commonly a three bedroom ranch house. When we feel confident all weapons arrived safely, we will settle in for a home cooked meal and short orientation. A common hunting day begins an hour and a half before sunrise, a hot breakfast and off to designated hunting areas. Arriving to hunting sight approximately thirty minutes before day light and usually hunting untill mid day, after lunch, hunting resumes until dark. Keep in mind all hunts will be dependent upon the game and weather

Once a hunter has harvested an animal we provide field preparation of carcass and cape, also transportation to processor.

A proven guide company situated in some of the most spectacular country in North America. Based in Walsenburg, CO.   Colorado Mountains & Plains Outfitters  over looks cedar canyons and open plains as far as the eye can see to the east and thick mountain forests and the rugged snow capped Rocky Mountains to the west. Hunting from 5,000 ft to 10,000 ft elevation, we provide the best hunting the west has to offer. Colorado Mountains & Plains Outfitters

has an outstanding team of professional hunting guides. They have years of experience helping folks from all over the world fulfill their dreams of the perfect outdoor adventure. With over 75,000 acres of private Mountains & Plains land available,they know just where to find what their guests desire.

From the Mountains to the Plains, we have the trophy hunt your looking for!

Get in touch with us and experience the best hunting trip you could have. 

Cheap Colorado Hunting Trips for Elk - Self-Guided DIY Drop Camp Elk Hunts

Colorado Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Drop Camp Elk Hunts

Find and Book a Colorado Elk Hunting Trip with a Professional, Pre-Screened Colorado Hunting Guide / Outfitter.

Elk ( Cervus elaphus )

OutfitterPros.com features 22 Drop Camp Elk hunts with 11 professional Colorado hunting guides and outfitters. All outfitters are licensed, insured, and have passed our exclusive 5 point rating system. These are Elk hunts in Colorado with some of the best Elk hunting outfitters in the world!

Colorado Elk Drop Camp Hunts

To contact these Colorado Guides and Outfitters and find a drop camp hunt that meets your budget, timeframe, and other key criteria, Select a Weapon above and then click

Visit our Elk Hunting page that provides detailed information on top Elk hunting trips for all top destinations. Visit our Find a Hunt page for all species/location hunt options

For ALL Big Game, Waterfowl, Upland Bird, Varmint, and Small Game Hunts, visit Find A Hunt

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How To Get Started Hunting in Colorado

You better know the basics before joining the hunt for moose, elk, and bear (yes, bear!).

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Before she was big enough to carry a gun, Melissa Johnson would follow her father through the grasslands surrounding Trinchera, the rural southeast Colorado community where her family has hunted for decades. But when she turned 14, Johnson approached her dad. “I’m not going to be able to hunt,” she told him. “I just cannot pull the trigger. I cannot kill something.” He conceded to her conscience, and Johnson retired her rifle.

About 15 years later, the Colorado Springs resident returned to Trinchera to interview ranching families for her master’s degree at Colorado College, which focused on Southwest studies. Through her research, Johnson came to understand that hunting provided food for locals’ tables and connected them to the land and each other. She started stalking again, this time with gratitude for the animals’ sacrifice.

Johnson’s daughter Clara, on the other hand, never shied away from the gruesome realities of the sport. “My grandpa used to call me ‘heart-ripper,’ ” Clara says. That’s because when he removed the entrails during field dressings, young Clara was always eager to extract the organ. “I thought it was super cool,” she says. “To be able to see all the anatomy and the valves was interesting to me.”

The Johnsons’ backstories reveal a truism about hunting. Even people who share DNA—and a long familial history of harvesting animals—can have very different sensibilities when it comes to the pursuit. Wherever you think you stand on the subject, one thing is for certain: Hunting is a popular endeavor here in Colorado, and it’s only been gaining interest. Applications for licenses have increased for five years running, a result of the pandemic and the state’s growing population. “There was a huge push to get people outdoors,” says Joey Livingston, a public information officer with Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW), “as well as, I think, a push for people that wanted to have their own meat for storage.”

Hunting, however, is a far more intimi-dating pastime to pick up than, say, pickleball. Not only are novices venturing into wild terrain with loaded weapons, but they must also traverse CPW’s licensing program, which can feel byzantine to the uninitiated. If you’re successful, harvesting an animal—a requirement, in most cases, if you kill something—can be physically demanding and alarmingly grisly.

On the following pages, you’ll find lessons rookies should learn to ensure they become ethical, safe sportspeople. But the first tenet is simple: Hunting is not a hobby to undertake lightly. “You’ve got to know your ‘why,’  ” Melissa says. “You’ve got to know your motivation—because it’s hard, but it’s also so rewarding.” Melissa has overcome her aversion to hunting because she believes it’s the most ethical way to provide meat for her family. Clara simply loves the opportunity to be outside that hunting affords her. Although their “whys” are different, their bounty is the same. Together, they have hunted pronghorn antelope along the Eastern Plains near Trinchera, moose in the frigid mountains of Grand County, and, after Clara graduated from high school in 2023, springbok, warthog, and other animals in South Africa. “When we’re hunting,” Melissa says, “I’m not the mom, and she’s not the kid.” They’re both hunters.

Jump Ahead:

• Get a Hunting License
• Enter the Lottery
• Consider Taking a Class
• Consider a Guiding Service

1. Get a Hunting License.

To ensure hunters don’t kill off certain species, as they did during the early white settlement of North America, state governments have instituted animal protections, creating an overarching philosophy called the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation . What that means is that Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) imposes strict controls over who can hunt and how many animals can be harvested. It’s a simple strategy but one achieved through a complex, red-tape-lined labyrinth you’ll need to know how to navigate.

To buy a license in Colorado, CPW requires applicants to complete a hunter education course, which explains things such as basic firearm safety, the role hunting plays in wildlife management, and the ethics of the sport. The agency offers two ways to graduate: a 12- to 14-hour in-person version (max $10), usually over two days, and an online option that culminates with a written test and a range session ($29.50 for the class; $10 for the final).

A Colorado hunting license does not grant immunity for killing all animals at all times. Hunters have to purchase a license specific to the big-game species they want to take. (The exception: A generic small-game license is all you need to stalk undersize critters .) For example, in 2024, spring turkey applications ($35.76) opened on January 2 and closed on February 6, and the season ran from April 13 to May 31.

3 Types of Colorado Hunting Licenses

• Small-Game License : Grants access to the diminutive wildlife you can bag anywhere hunting is permitted in Colorado for the entire year, though different animals have different seasons. $15.55 for one day; $33.96 for the season
• Limited License : A big-game permit procured via a draw that specifies species, GMU, sex, dates, and weapon (such as rifle or archery). Deer $47.91; elk $66.12; pronghorn antelope $47.91; moose $366.13; bear $60.05 (prices for adult residents)
• Over-The-Counter (OTC) License : Sometimes called “unlimited licenses” because there’s no cap on the number CPW sells. But these big-game passes do specify species, sex, and weapon and are available only for certain GMUs. Prices are the same as limited licenses

2. Enter the Lottery

Much of the big-game hunting in Colorado is managed through a draw. Not only do sportspeople have to name the animal they hope to harvest, but they also must input where they’d like to hunt it: CPW breaks the state into 185 game management units (GMUs) . If the elk in an area are spawning like rabbits, CPW might grant more tags to help control the wildlife population there.

In Colorado’s big-game lotto, many hunters aren’t able to score the limited licenses they wanted because they applied for an animal in a game management unit (GMU) where requests exceeded quotas. But every time you whiff, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) gifts you a preference point, which you can bank and use later to improve your odds of securing tags in coveted grounds.

For those who’d rather not spend decades waiting, we combed CPW’s 2024 data to find GMUs that offer good shots at licenses for the seasons directly ahead of you.

Rocky Mountain Elk

GMU 18 : This Grand County unit is managed for opportunity. Its high quota for each season means you’re likely to snag a tag—but its close-to-Denver location means you’re also bound to bump into other hunters. Seek out the east fork of Troublesome Creek to avoid the crowds. Other options: GMUs 86 and 371

Pronghorn Antelope

GMU 106 : GMU 106 boasts large quotas—if you can access it. The entire area (like most of the Eastern Plains) is private land, but you’re allowed to hunt as long as you get the landowners’ permission. (They’re often eager to have someone eradicate these crop-munchers.) A guide with rights to a parcel can also escort you to your prey. Other option: GMU 133

Wild Turkey

GMU 34 : Turkeys may not be big game, but CPW uses the same GMUs to regulate their draws. (Bighorn sheep and mountain goats have completely different GMUs.) There is a cornucopia of tags available in this section, and you can soak your blues away at Glenwood Hot Springs should you leave the field empty-handed. Other options: GMUs 33 and 58 (both are OTC units)

GMU 16 : There’s simply no surefire way to land a moose tag, even with bunches of points. In 2024, for example, only four percent of applicants for GMU 16, which contains part of the Mt. Zirkel Wilderness, got one of its 15 licenses. Believe it or not, that’s a solid success rate for moose. Other option: GMU 4

GMU 103 : Surrounded by private land, GMU 103’s South Republican State Wildlife Area offers 18,365 acres of public deer-hunting opportunities, including lots of does and a few trophy bucks. Other options: GMUs 39 and 92

3 Animals That Are Overpopulated in Colorado

Hunters don’t have a great track record of conservation throughout history. Thanks to oversight from agencies such as Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW), however, animals that were once driven to the brink of extinction by overhunting are thriving in Colorado—and actually require harvesting to prevent their populations from overrunning their habitats.

1. Wild Turkey :

• Backstory : These Thanksgiving treats were nearing extinction in North America during the Great Depression, but CPW managed a reintroduction in the 1980s, and there are now more than 35,000 gobblers in the state.
• Why you might want to hunt them : Found almost everywhere in Colorado, turkeys are accessible. Spring turkey season starts in April, presenting the first opportunity for hunters to chase something other than small game. And hunting turkeys allows sportspeople to practice a skill—calling to lure the animals into range—that’s also useful for stalking elk.
• How you can hunt them : There are two turkey seasons: one in the spring and one in the fall. Both require draws. Over-the-counter (OTC) licenses are also available for certain game management units (GMUs). Hunters usually take the birds with shotguns, but you can also loose an arrow at them. Rifles and handguns, however, are illegal during the spring season.

2. Rocky Mountain Elk:

• Backstory : Just like turkeys, elk almost went the way of the dodo, with fewer than 40,000 roaming the continent in the early 1900s. Today, Colorado boasts the largest population of elk in the world, with about 280,000 animals. They’re found everywhere in the Centennial State, but the majority hang out on the Western Slope.
• Why you might want to hunt them : With all due respect to Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep (the state animal), there’s no better emblem of Colorado’s rugged character than elk. Their numbers have grown so dramatically here that hunters are necessary to help reduce the species’ competition among itself for resources—especially during winter.
• How you can hunt them : Archery and muzzleloader seasons come first, opening and closing in September, followed by four rifle seasons, starting in October and running through November. These all require limited licenses via draws, but OTC licenses for certain GMUs are also available. (For more tips, study CPW’s exhaustive online curriculum, Elk Hunting University .)

• Backstory : In the 1970s, CPW began importing these massive mammals—typically ranging from 800 to 1,200 pounds—from Utah and Wyoming to generate revenue from hunting licenses. The imports’ offspring have rutted like crazy, and their descendants now number an estimated 3,000in Colorado.
• Why you might want to hunt them : Bull moose are a once-in-a-lifetime quarry, literally: CPW limits hunters to just one male, though there’s no quota on cows. They usually travel alone, and are typically spotted in riparian zones (along rivers, streams, and lakes), where they can be difficult to see while munching on brush in shaded areas.
• How you can hunt them : You can take a moose with a bow or muzzleloader in September or with a rifle in October. You must enter a draw to receive a license; CPW doesn’t offer OTCs for the mammal. Even in the lottery, the chances of receiving a tag are slim: In 2024, less than one percent of the hunters who entered the moose draw received a tag.

3. Consider Taking a Class

For rookies who are light on skills, Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s (CPW) Hunter Outreach Program includes educational offerings, from in-person clinics to online curricula. The agency also organizes mentor hunts, during which a seasoned stalker guides novices on an outing. Perhaps no Coloradan has embraced these opportunities more than Cheryl Varela, 53, who attended her first class as a beginner in 2016 and became CPW’s first woman mentor this summer. We recently spoke with the Longmont resident about the importance of proper schooling.

Editor’s note: The following conversation has been edited for length and clarity.

5280: Why did you want to start hunting? Cheryl Varela: Being a mom of two boys, one of them with special needs, hunting is just a good way for me to get outdoors. It’s not even about the harvest. It’s about enjoying nature and being part of conservation.

How did you get connected with CPW’s Hunter Outreach Program? I was looking on CPW’s website, and it has all these learn-to-hunt classes. I think I did every class they had. Then, I went on a mentored pheasant hunt. I remember there was a lot of snow and it was really tiring because I hadn’t trudged through knee-deep snow before. The great thing was having the mentor walking the field with you, helping you, and reminding you of safety and a lot of the different things you don’t know.

That was your first hunt. Were you nervous? Oh, I was extremely nervous. My biggest fear was, Can I positively identify a rooster from a hen before I take the shot? Because in Colorado, you’re only allowed to shoot the roosters, not the hens. Having mentors hollering “Rooster!” or “No shot!” was beneficial to building my confidence.

What’s an example of a time when a CPW class helped in the field? A friend and I went on our first big-game hunt in GMU 27 [in Routt and Grand counties]. We got out there at about two o’clock and sat until sunset. All of a sudden, we heard this sound, like King Kong crashing through the forest. The next thing you know, I see a bull elk. I’m like, “Tiffany, you shoot him.” She was so nervous, she missed, and I dropped him. We both looked at each other, like, Oh, my God, what do we do now? Fortunately, I had taken a class in field dressing in Colorado Springs. We worked till midnight gutting him out. I’ve never worked so hard in my entire life. I equate it to childbirth. But we actually did it, two girls by themselves.

2 Places to Practice Hunting on the Front Range

• The Family Shooting Center : Located inside Cherry Creek State Park, the Family Shooting Center in Aurora offers a firearm safety course that decreases in price if you bring more people (starting at $60 per person). Once you’re comfortable, move to the rifle or skeet ranges to scope in for the season.
• Empty Quiver Archery : This Broomfield archery range organizes beginner classes ($22, plus $8 for equipment rental) twice on Thursdays (4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.) and three times on Saturdays (9 a.m., 12 p.m., and 3 p.m.). You’ll still want to book some private lessons with one of Empty Quiver’s instructors before letting loose on any elk.

4. Consider a Guiding Service

While digesting Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s (CPW) curriculum is important, nothing can fully prepare you for the experience of your first excursion into the wild—which is why it’s a good idea to hire a guide. These seasoned stalkers will point out where to go and teach you practical tracking skills while offering various levels of amenities.

• Highlands Unlimited : Based near Durango, Jennifer and Geoff Burbey have been stalking the San Juan Mountains since 1988. The couple’s Highlands Unlimited sets up its drop-camp wall tents on rugged public land that’s part of the San Juan National Forest. That means motorized transportation is prohibited, so plan on hoofing it—literally. With 35 horses and mules, Highlands specializes in equine treks to environs rich with elk, bear, deer, and turkey.
• Great Western Hunting Camps : Colorado’s ample public lands are thick with wildlife. They’re also thick with other hunters trying to harvest your animal. Great Western Hunting Camps leases a combined 120,000 acres of private ranches, split between two camps—one near Trinidad and one near Montrose—so your only competition will be the other sportspeople with you (the outfit takes a max of six hunters at a time). These quests sometimes occur in the mountains and foothills but often find their way to flat land, where elk, pronghorn antelope, and white-tailed deer loiter in the brush and scrub oak. Because you’re on private property, a truck will ferry you and your trophy back to your temporary digs: a plain but comfortable ranch house.
• C Lazy U Ranch : The 8,500-acre-plus C Lazy U Ranch borders Rocky Mountain National Park, though elk, deer, and pronghorn antelope have no clue where the boundary begins. Guests of the resort’s outfitter wing benefit from the wildlife’s GPS-less navigation, just one of many rewards at the upscale ranch. Guides work one-on-one with hunters, who are treated to luxe accommodations in the log-cabin-chic lodge and three daily meals as part of the all-inclusive hunting package. And while your children might not be keen to join you in a wall tent in the San Juans, they’ll likely register little complaint about tagging along to C Lazy U for complimentary admission into the resort’s Kids Club, which features horseback riding, zip-lining, and, for the very little ones, scavenger hunts.

3 Questions to Ask Your Guide

Jennifer Burbey, president of the Colorado Outfitters Association, zeroes in on the questions you should ask to ensure you find the right guide for you.

• Are They Bona Fide? : Any outfitter who hunts on land they don’t own must be licensed by the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) , whose website allows you to search by name. The results will show whether a license is valid and whether any complaints have been lodged against the company. If an outfitter operates on public land, the local U.S. Forest Service office should know whether it is bonded, insured, and approved to lead parties into the area.
• Are They Your Kind Of Guide? : Some outfitters specialize in rough backcountry hunts, others in what could be called glamping expeditions. Some stalk one-on-one with their clients, others take a dozen or so customers with them. None of these options is wrong, but they might not be what you want. So ask how far into the bush their camps are located, what type of gear they use, and how many hunters they accommodate at a time.
• Are They Skilled? : Almost all guides will wow you with photos of their kills, but remember: You have no idea if they had any hand in those hunts. To get a true barometer of their skills in the wild, ask for references and give greater weight to outfitters that seem to attract clients who return year after year.

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Colorado hunting season kicks off

Hunting season has kicked off in Colorado, with tourists and residents gearing up for their trips.

Throughout Hunting Season, safety should remain the most important goal for hunters and non-hunters alike. Colorado Parks and Wildlife notes that big game hunters using a firearm MUST wear “fluorescent orange or pink when in the field for safety reasons. Camouflage orange or pink is not allowed.” Other people or pets recreating in the outdoors are recommended to wear bright colors during seasons where firearms are present. Both groups should check for fire danger or region-specific warnings before heading outdoors for their preferred activity. Interference with hunters is illegal, although the outdoors is multi-use and meant to be available for a variety of users. Similar to hikers told to plan for their trips into the backcountry, hunters should review CPW’s hunting brochures and information specific to the 2024 season. 

There are licenses leftover from the annual draw. Hunters hoping to bag a deer, elk, pronghorn, or bear can visit the CPW website; or some licenses are still available over the counter for the season. Reissue licenses will come available each Wednesday morning, on the CPW web shop.

Nonhunters can still engage in their favorite activities, while taking precautions knowing that hunters will be out and about. The best precaution to take is to know which weapons are being used when.

Season Breakdown: Rifle Bear Season and Archery Season, September 2-30 Muzzleloader Season, September 14-22 Rifle Season is October 12-16, October 26-November 3, November 9-15, November 20-24.