You’ll notice some differences in this year’s hunting season schedule.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife made some big changes to hunting season structures for elk and deer for 2020 through 2024 during its annual five-year big game season structure process, spelling some different dates for different seasons.
“It’s a slight adjustment, but people need to be aware of it,” says Area 6 Wildlife Manager Bill de Vergie. “It hasn’t been changed for nearly 20 years.”
While the season dates follow the same general format as before, one particular aspect to note is that the second rifle season now starts five days later than last year’s.
Amended and approved last November, the new structure took into account input from the public, including both resident and non-resident hunters. It also adheres to CPW’s priorities of evaluating and achieving management objectives; hunter satisfaction and participation; revenue generation; and law enforcement and regulation. The new game season structure also follows herd management plans to establish long-term big game numbers in specific geographic areas, using scientific information on populations and habitat conditions.
The new season structures could well impact how hunters apply in the next five years and draw odds as certain seasons could now become more popular. Following is the new structure in a nutshell:
ARCHERY
Season: Sept. 2-30
The archery hunt for deer and elk is now a 29-day season for 2020 through 2024, with annual dates of Sept. 2-30. Previously the season was 30 days long and always opened on the last Saturday in August; the new structure now creates a rotating opening date. These new season dates could make for a better elk hunt, but could impact the chances of getting a velvet mule deer.
Elk: Unlimited either-sex and antlerless archery elk licenses are available in certain units; however, either-sex elk licenses can be specified as bull-only with limited cow licenses geographically to meet management objectives. Limited either-sex licenses are valid in limited units. Over-the-counter List B archery elk antlerless licenses are only valid in units that also have List B rifle elk antlerless licenses.
Deer: All archery deer licenses are limited either-sex or limited buck and issued by Game Management Unit (GMU) Data Analysis Unit (DAU).
EARLY HIGH COUNTRY RIFLE DEER
Season: Sept. 12-20 (no change)
No change in date structure for the 2020-24 seasons. The early high country rifle deer hunt is a nine-day antlered buck deer season, in high country or wilderness portions of select deer units, opening the first Saturday of September or the second Saturday of September.
MUZZLELOADER
Season: Sept. 12-20 (no change)
There is no season structure change for the 2020 through 2024 seasons. Muzzleloader season opens on the second Saturday of September and runs for nine days.
Elk: Limited either-sex or limited antlered, and limited antlerless; all licenses issued by GMU/DAU.
Deer: Limited either-sex or limited antlered, and limited antlerless in some GMUs; all licenses issued by GMU/DAU.
FIRST SEASON REGULAR RIFLE ELK
Season: Oct. 10-14
The first season regular rifle elk hunt is still a five-day season, but starting in 2020 the gap between the first and second season hunts will now be a nine-day break (instead of two days). The starting date will continue to open on the first Saturday after Oct. 9. Antlerless elk licenses may be offered in DAUs over the population objective.
SECOND SEASON RIFLE
Season: Oct. 24 – Nov. 1
The second season rifle hunt will continue to be a nine-day season, followed by a five-day break (same as the old system). The season will open on a Saturday and includes two full weekends. These season dates are now later than ever before. Other notes: unlimited licenses are available for antlered elk in over-the-counter (OTC) units. Limited either-sex or limited antlered elk licenses are available in remaining limited units. All antlerless elk licenses are limited. Limited licenses are issued by GMU/DAU. All deer licenses are limited, issued by GMU/DAU.
THIRD SEASON RIFLE
Season: Nov. 7-13
The third rifle season hunt now has a seven-day season, followed by a four-day break. For 2020 through 2024, the third season will now close on a Friday. The later November dates increase the chance for cold weather and snow. Other notes: unlimited licenses are available for antlered elk in OTC units. Limited either-sex or limited antlered elk licenses are available in remaining limited units. All antlerless elk and deer licenses are limited, issued by GMU/DAU.
FOURTH SEASON RIFLE
Season: Nov. 18-22
For 2020 through 2024, Colorado’s fourth season is still a five-day season that opens on a Wednesday. The season dates are now pushed later into November, making the seasons open during Thanksgiving. Other notes: All licenses are limited, issued by GMU/DAU.
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FEES (fee charged if you are successful in drawing your license, or get an unsuccessful option; $10.13 2020 Habitat Stamp required)
Deer: Draw (limited)
Resident — $40.24
Youth resident — $15.68
Nonresident (w/ fishing) — $401.83
Youth nonresident (w/ fishing) — $102.78
Elk: Draw (limited)
Resident — $55.43
Youth resident — $15.68
Nonresident bull/either sex (w/fishing) — $670.25
Non-resident cow (w/ fishing) — $503.12
Youth nonresident (w/ fishing) — $102.78
Pronghorn: Draw (limited)
Resident — $40.24
Youth resident — $15.68
Nonresident (w/ fishing) — $401.83
Youth non-resident (w/ fishing) — $102.78
Bear: Draw (limited)
Resident — $39.75
Nonresident (w/ fishing) — $101.75
Moose: Draw (limited)
Resident — $305.61
Nonresident (w/ fishing) — $2,240.20
Youth resident — $15.50
*Nonresident fishing licenses are good through March 31, 2021. Prices include a 25-cent search-and-rescue fee and a 75-cent surcharge for the Wildlife Management Education Fund.
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2020 HUNTING SEASON DATES
Deer
Archery: Sept. 2-30
Muzzleloader: Sept. 12-20
Second Rifle: Oct. 24-Nov. 1
Third Rifle: Nov. 7-13
Fourth Rifle: Nov. 18-22
Elk
Archery: Sept. 2-30
Muzzleloader: Sept. 12-20
First Rifle: Oct. 10-14
Second Rifle: Oct. 24-Nov. 1
Third Rifle: Nov. 7-13
Fourth Rifle: Nov. 18-22
Pronghorn
Archery: Bucks: Aug. 15-31; Either sex: Sept. 1-20
Muzzleloader: Sept. 21-29
Rifle: Oct. 3-11
Moose (Draw Only)
Archery: Sept. 12-30
Muzzleloader: Sept. 12-20
Rifle: Oct. 1-14
Bear
Rifle limited (by draw): Sept. 2-30
Archery (over-the-counter and/or limited): Sept. 2-30
Muzzleloader (over-the-counter and/or limited): Sept. 12-20
Rifle (over-the-counter and/or limited): Sept. 2-30; Seasons: first: Oct. 10-14; second: Oct. 24-Nov. 1; third: Nov. 7-13; fourth: Nov. 18-22; Private-land-only (over-the-counter): Sept. 2-Nov. 22.
Info: cpw.state.us.co