Colorado
The ultimate high-country destination. OTC archery elk, steep mule deer draws, and endless national forest acreage.
Small Game & Upland Hunting in Colorado
Official Regulatory Authority
Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW)
Chukar Partridge
Inhabiting the steep, rocky talus slopes and cheatgrass canyons of western Colorado—including the Colorado National Monument borders and Gunnison River breaks.
Chukars run uphill and fly downhill at blistering speeds, presenting one of the most physically demanding upland pursuits in North America.
Dusky (Blue) Grouse
Dusky grouse inhabit high-country aspen groves, lodgepole pine ridges, and subalpine fir edges between 8,000 and 11,000 feet.
The September opener coincides with bowhunting seasons, allowing hunters to harvest birds on foot with lightweight shotguns in breathtaking mountain settings.
Ring-necked Pheasant
The agricultural wheat and corn stubble of northeastern Colorado (Yuma, Phillips, and Sedgwick counties) provides strong pheasant hunting supported by the Walk-In Access (WIA) program.
Gambel's & Scaled Quail
Western Colorado river valleys host Gambel's quail in greasewood river bottoms, while southeastern shortgrass prairie holds scaled (blue) quail in cholla cactus pastureland.
Mountain & Desert Cottontail
Plentiful across sagebrush draws, pinyon-juniper foothills, and willow bottoms statewide with a generous 10-rabbit daily bag limit.