DENVER, COLORADO – As the 2024 hunting seasons begin in Colorado, both hunters and outdoor enthusiasts are gearing up for an exciting fall. Colorado’s diverse landscapes offer a wealth of opportunities for adventure, whether you’re hunting, hiking, biking, or simply enjoying the changing foliage. With many activities sharing the same outdoor spaces, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is urging everyone to prepare and exercise courtesy to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all.
Free: Complete Colorado 14ers Planner
Every peak. Every trailhead. Every detail: in one spreadsheet.
- All 58 peaks ranked beginner to expert
- Safety notes and seasonal windows for each
- Route difficulty, mileage, and prep tips
Planning Your Hunt
Hunters are encouraged to thoroughly prepare for the season by consulting the “What’s New” section in the 2024 Big Game Hunting Brochure or watching the latest video update from CPW. These resources highlight key changes in game management units and regulations for 2024.
To find the best hunting locations, CPW recommends using the Colorado Hunting Atlas. This tool helps hunters identify public land, access topographic maps, locate big game migration corridors, and explore OHV trails.
For those still needing licenses, there are several options available. Leftover licenses for deer, elk, pronghorn, and bear can be purchased, along with over-the-counter licenses for bear, elk, pronghorn, and whitetail deer. Additionally, reissue licenses from returns are available every Wednesday morning, with a preview list posted on CPW’s website the day before.
Hunters with questions about setting up accounts, planning hunts, or purchasing licenses can reach out to CPW’s customer service team Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. MT at 303-297-1192. Further hunting resources are available at cpw.state.co.us/hunting.
Free: Complete Colorado 14ers Planner
Every peak. Every trailhead. Every detail: in one spreadsheet.
- All 58 peaks ranked beginner to expert
- Safety notes and seasonal windows for each
- Route difficulty, mileage, and prep tips
Hunters’ Crucial Role in Wildlife Conservation
Colorado’s wildlife management is guided by the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation, which has been instrumental in preserving the state’s diverse species. This model, funded by hunting and fishing fees, is considered one of the most successful in the world and ensures sustainable wildlife populations.
Hunters also contribute significantly to managing chronic wasting disease (CWD) in Colorado. CPW relies on hunters to participate in mandatory CWD testing, which is essential for tracking the disease’s prevalence and effectiveness of current management strategies.
“One of the only CWD management tools we currently have at our disposal is the hunting community itself,” said CPW Big Game Manager Andy Holland. “Hunters play a vital role in controlling CWD by harvesting select deer and other cervids more likely to carry the disease and submitting samples for analysis. This helps CPW understand the disease’s prevalence and distribution in the state and evaluate if management strategies are working.”
Free: Complete Colorado 14ers Planner
Every peak. Every trailhead. Every detail: in one spreadsheet.
- All 58 peaks ranked beginner to expert
- Safety notes and seasonal windows for each
- Route difficulty, mileage, and prep tips
Gray Wolves and Coyotes: Know the Difference
As gray wolves begin to re-establish in Colorado, distinguishing them from coyotes is crucial. CPW has developed a “Coyote or Gray Wolf – How to Spot the Differences” handout to help hunters and outdoor users identify these species correctly. Killing a gray wolf is illegal under federal and state law, with severe penalties, including fines up to $100,000, jail time, and loss of hunting privileges. More information is available at cpw.state.co.us/living-wolves.
Safety Tips for Non-Hunters
Colorado’s public lands are multi-use areas, open to both hunting and various other recreational activities. While non-hunters do not need to avoid the outdoors during hunting season, it’s important to be aware of hunting activity and take precautions:
- Big Game Season Dates:
- Rifle bear season: Sept. 2-30, 2024
- Archery season: Sept. 2-30, 2024
- Muzzleloader season: Sept. 14-22, 2024
- Rifle seasons:
1st season: Oct. 12-16, 2024
2nd season: Oct. 26 to Nov. 3, 2024
3rd season: Nov. 9-15, 2024
4th season: Nov. 20-24, 2024
During these periods, it’s recommended that all outdoor users wear bright colors, especially during muzzleloader and rifle seasons, when hunters are required to wear fluorescent orange or pink.
Remember, it’s illegal to intentionally interfere with hunters by causing animals to flee, blocking access to public lands, or disrupting hunting activities.
For more information on outdoor recreation in Colorado, visit cpw.state.co.us.
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