Scouting It Out / COME TO LIFE SCOUTING IT OUT CHOOSE A SPECIES: Mule deer in the mountains, whitetail on the plains or the legendary elk of the Rockies — these are only some of many species that call Colorado home. B METHOD OF TAKE: Go primitive with a longbow, stay modern with a centerfire rifle or split the difference with muzzle-loading. Colorado is accommodating to most types and styles of take as long as you have that handy hunter education card (from Colorado or your home state). C SEASON: It’s hard to resist hunting among golden aspen leaves in early season bow and muzzle loading seasons, but cool weather and snow often help in a successful hunt. Big-game seasons run from August through January. Steps to Hunting & Seeing the Secret Side of Wilderness There are very few sensations on this green earth that compare with seeing an elk in the wild. Colorado’s public lands include 23 million acres of pristine pines, plen-tiful pocket meadows and pure-water ponds, so it’s no wonder our state hosts the world’s largest elk herd and the best chance at hunting, or simply viewing, these majestic animals in motion. Find your path, see what it’s all about and choose your own adventure. TOOLS 1 LOCATION A SCOUT IT OUT: Make a pre-season basecamp in one of Colorado’s welcoming small towns and bring friends or family along. Staying stealthy any time of year can reveal the secret side of wilderness, which loud or talking hikers rarely encounter. B FISH SIDE DISH: Big-game habitat almost always overlaps with small-game and fish habitat. Bring along that shotgun or rod and experience the richness of Colorado’s varied terrain. LOVE AT FIRST “SITE”: Adherence to Colora-do’s hunting and fishing guidelines is extremely important to the overall health of the wilderness. The first responsibility on any trip is to visit cpw. state.co.us or pick up a printed manual to stay up to date on changes in the law. 2 LEARN: Colorado Parks and Wildlife offers Elk Hunting University, instructional videos and a whole lot more to get you ready for the hunt. Go to cpw.state.co.us/ thingstodo/Pages/hunt. aspx to find information on outdoor survival, a guide to Colorado’s game-management units, scouting tips and numbers to call when you have questions. 3 PLAN: Apply by mail or online for the big-game limited-draw licenses, always due on the first Tuesday in April. For more information on dates and fees, visit cpw.state.co.us/ thingstodo/Pages/hunt. aspx . To find a directory of hunting outfitters who can lead you on guided or semi-guided hunts, as well as Colorado Parks and Wildlife field offices, visit COLORADO.com/ Hunting . NEAR GLENWOOD SPRINGS, JACK AFFLECK. WANT MORE? GO TO CPW.STATE.CO.US/THINGSTODO/PAGES/HUNT.ASPX. COLORADO.COM / 51
Colorado Official State Vacation Guide 2017: Page 51
