Colorado Hunting (2024)

FAQs

How many elk are killed by hunters in Colorado? ›

Colorado has an estimated elk population of 280,000. That's the largest elk population in North America. Wildlife officials use strategies such as hunting and culling to manage elk populations. About 250,000 hunters pursue elk each year in Colorado, harvesting nearly 50,000.

An estimated 283,000 elk roam the landscape in Colorado, the most of any state. Although approximately 220,000 hunters went after elk during the 2019 hunting seasons, only 37,000 elk were harvested in total. This means that the hunter success rate for all manners of take is around 17 percent.

Ask any elk hunter worth his weight in lead what the top hunting units are in Colorado, and GMUs 1, 2, 10 and 201 in the far northwest corner of the state rise to the top of the list like smoke from a muzzleloader. Bulls in the 300-plus size are common and elk tend to stay put over the seasons.

These codes are found in our brochures and represent licenses that are available to you. A hunt code is what you enter when applying for the draw. Every hunt code is unique, but they are all structured the same way, so if you know how to read them, you can understand what every unique hunt code means.

The largest elk herd in the state is around White River National Forest, which is north of Glenwood Springs and Meeker. There are also well-known herds in Estes Park and Evergreen. There are over 280,000 elk across the state, according to CPW.

Elk hunting success rates average around 10-20% in most western states. Factors affecting success include hunting skills, physical fitness, terrain, and weather conditions. There is high variance among states - for instance, Wyoming has around 40% success, whereas Washington has less than 10%.

Elk tags can be bought over the counter (OTC) or acquired by drawing through the lottery tag system. Both bull and cow elk licenses/tags are $66.12 for residents, and non-residents will pay $803.39 for both a bull or cow tag (prices subject to change annually).

Broadmouth Canyon Ranch | World Records – Broadmouth Canyon Ranch. In 2022 Brian Bailey harvested the largest Rocky Mountain Bull Elk ever recorded. The bull scored an unbelievable 689 3/8 inches.

As evidenced in the name, the West Elk Mountains are a famous Colorado elk hunting destination. This corner of Colorado's Rocky Mountains is also known for other big game animals like mule deer, black bear, moose and even the more elusive mountain lion or mountain goat.

1. Alaska. Unsurprisingly, Alaska is one of the best states for both fishing and hunting.

What is the best big game to hunt in Colorado? ›

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.

The agency has released recommendations for the 2025-29 big-game season structure, which guides big-game hunting regulations and annual license recommendations by staff. Staff have recommended doing away with all over-the-counter elk archery licenses in Colorado to address concerns that include hunter overcrowding.

Big-game license allocation for bear, deer, elk and pronghorn has been modified from 65% for residents and 35% for nonresidents to 75% for residents and 25% for nonresidents for most hunt codes. High-demand hunt codes remain at 80% for residents and 20% for nonresidents.

Colorado limits elk tags for each hunter by classifying licenses as either List A, B or C. As a general rule you can get two tags: either one List A and one List B tag or two List B tags. You cannot get two List A tags, nor can you get one List A and two List B.

When you take a look at average success rates for elk hunters, you'll find around 15% of elk hunters are successful each fall. However, when you neglect draw hunts and look only at OTC, public land, DIY elk hunts, the success rates drop to around 10%.

Craig Colorado is well known as “The Elk Hunting Capital of the World.” With a herd of elk numbering over 25,000, it's hard to argue with that. Our ranch, which is located 15 miles north of Craig and runs west to just north of the town of Maybell, is located in one of the largest elk migration corridors in the world.

Does Colorado have CWD? Yes. CWD has been found in deer, elk and moose herds in vari- ous locations in Colorado. About half of Colorado's deer herds and one-third of its elk herds have animals within the herd that are known to be infected with CWD.