Elk

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Colorado holds more elk and issues more elk permits than any other state. Over 200,000 elk hunters go afield each year between the draw tags and over-the-counter opportunities in Colorado. Most of the state is managed for the quantity of elk, rather than trophy quality. A few units produce bulls reaching over 330”, while most of the state will provide only a chance for a branch-antlered bull elk. Several seasons take place during the rut and can make for an exciting hunt. Colorado has excellent dates for archery hunters looking to hunt elk during the rut.

License Costs

Resident

$66.12

Nonresident

$803.39*

Resident Youth

$18.45

Nonresident Youth

$122.91*

Resident

$66.12

Nonresident

$803.39*

Resident Youth

$18.45

Nonresident Youth

$122.91*

* Includes annual fishing license

All license fees include a $0.25 search-and-rescue fee and a $1.50 fee for the Wildlife Education Fund, if applicable.

News, notes and alerts

  • Applications are submitted online

  • Nonresident elk license is also an annual fishing license

  • Purchasing a landowner voucher does not change your preference points

Highlights

  • Handful of units produce bulls that exceed 330”

  • Most desired units and seasons take over 20 preference points to draw

  • Many areas across the states have over-the-counter seasons available

  • Plan to hike in far from roads to improve hunting in over-the-counter areas

  • Early rifle seasons coincide with rut activity

  • Archery and muzzleloader seasons capture peak rut dates

  • Private land will restrict access in some units

  • Wilderness style hunting experience in many areas across state

  • Early season primitive weapon hunts are typically physically challenging

  • Outfitters can provide access to quality private-land hunting in some units

Boone and Crockett entries: Typical

** Units listed below may not have a current hunt for this species. Units in this table are included if any part of the unit is found within the county.

County

Entries

Units within county

Moffat

14

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 10 / 11 / 12 / 13 / 201 / 211 / 301 / 441

Las Animas

10

85 / 128 / 133 / 134 / 135 / 136, / 140 / 141 / 142 / 143 / 147 / 851

Routt

7

4 / 5 / 12 / 13 / 14 / 15 / 26 / 131 / 231 / 441

Larimer

7

7 / 8 / 9 / 19 / 20 / 87 / 94, / 191

Mesa

6

30 / 31 / 40 / 41 / 42 / 60 / 61 / 62 / 411 / 421

Douglas

5

51 / 104

County

Entries

Units within county

Moffat

14

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 10 / 11 / 12 / 13 / 201 / 211 / 301 / 441

Las Animas

10

85 / 128 / 133 / 134 / 135 / 136, / 140 / 141 / 142 / 143 / 147 / 851

Routt

7

4 / 5 / 12 / 13 / 14 / 15 / 26 / 131 / 231 / 441

Larimer

7

7 / 8 / 9 / 19 / 20 / 87 / 94, / 191

Mesa

6

30 / 31 / 40 / 41 / 42 / 60 / 61 / 62 / 411 / 421

Douglas

5

51 / 104

Boone and Crockett entries: Nontypical

** Units listed below may not have a current hunt for this species. Units in this table are included if any part of the unit is found within the county.

County

Entries

Units within county

Las Animas

6

85 / 128 / 133 / 134 / 135 / 136 / 140 / 141 / 142 / 143 / 147 / 851

Fremont

3

57 / 58 / 59 / 69 / 84 / 86 / 581 / 691

Mesa

2

30 / 31 / 40 / 41 / 42 / 60 / 61 / 62 / 411 / 421

Moffat

2

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 10 / 11 / 12 / 13 / 201 / 211 / 301 / 441

County

Entries

Units within county

Las Animas

6

85 / 128 / 133 / 134 / 135 / 136 / 140 / 141 / 142 / 143 / 147 / 851

Fremont

3

57 / 58 / 59 / 69 / 84 / 86 / 581 / 691

Mesa

2

30 / 31 / 40 / 41 / 42 / 60 / 61 / 62 / 411 / 421

Moffat

2

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 10 / 11 / 12 / 13 / 201 / 211 / 301 / 441

*8 counties with one entry

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