HUNTING

hunting

Moffat County, Colorado Big Game Units: 1, 2, 201, 211, 3, 301, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12 & 13

2026 PRIMARY LIMITED LICENSES DRAW DEADLINE:

April 7, 2026

With nearly two million acres of public land, Northwest Colorado is an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise. A large big game population and a remarkably high success rate make Moffat County the best place for Colorado trophy hunting.

There is a reason that Moffat County is called the Elk Hunting Capital of the World. Two of North America’s largest migratory elk herds are found here, along with Mule Deer and Pronghorn populations that offer many harvesting opportunities. Moffat County also provides an abundance of small game, giving young hunters a wonderful way to experience this heritage.

2026 Colorado Big Game Hunting Dates

Deer & Elk Archery Season September 2 – September 30
Deer & Elk Muzzleloader Season September 12 – September 20

Deer & Elk Rifle Seasons
1st Regular Rifle Elk October 14 – October 18
2nd Regular Combined Rifle Deer & Elk October 24 – November 1
3rd Regular Combined Rifle Deer & Elk November 7 – November 15
4th Regular Combined Rifle Deer & Elk November 18 – November 22
Thanksgiving Day November 26

Moose Seasons
Archery September 12 – September 30
Muzzleloader September 12 – September 20
Rifle October 1 – October 14

Pronghorn Seasons

Archery August 15 – September 20

Muzzleloader September 21 – September 29

Rifle October 3 – October 11

Bear Seasons

Archery September 2 – September 30

Muzzleloader September 12 – September 20

Rifle September 2 – September 30 + (see 1st, 2nd, 3rd & 4th Deer/Elk Seasons above)

Private-Land-Only Rifle September 2-November 22

Archery & Muzzleloader Add-On Bear licenses are available in unlimited numbers this year. Hunters can ‘add-on’ an over-the-counter bear license for archery or muzzleloader seasons if they hold a deer or elk license for the same method of take and at least one unit overlaps. More information available in the Colorado Big Game regulation brochure.

For more information on how and where to obtain a hunting license, please visit Colorado Hunting Regulations brochures. Additional hunting information and maps can be found at CPW Interactive Hunting Atlas or Colorado Parks & Wildlife.

Another Great tool for selecting hunts is the CPW Statistics page, check out the historical data on how many preference points were needed and how many tags are historically available in each game management unit.

Important Dates

License Draws (apply on line or by phone)

Qualifying licenses go on sale…………………March 1

Applications accepted……………………………March 1 – April 7

Application Deadline………………………………April 7 (8:00 PM Mountain Time)

Draw Results posted………………………………May 26-29

Licenses in the mail by…………………………..June 26

Secondary Draw: Deer, Elk, Pronghorn & Bear / Deadline June 30

Over the Counter / Leftover licenses go on sale in August

Buy on line at: cpw.info/buy-apply

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