What the 2024 Season Covered

Our 2024 guide walked through the season windows for elk, mule deer, bear, moose and pronghorn — archery in September, muzzleloader mid-September, and the four rifle seasons running mid-October through late November — along with licensing (qualifying licenses, limited draw, OTC options and preference points), regulations and fair-chase ethics. Those dates have come and gone, but the rhythm of a Colorado season doesn’t change much: bows in the September bugle, muzzleloaders behind them, rifles when the snow starts pushing herds.

Advice That Never Expires

Gear & Equipment

A dependable bolt gun, quality glass, layered clothing and a sharp knife cover 90% of what a Colorado big game hunt demands. Our 2024 favorites — the Remington 700, Savage 110 family and Ruger American, topped with Leupold or Vortex glass — are still counter staples today.

Bolt Action Rifles  • 
Riflescopes  • 
Binoculars  • 
Hunting Accessories

Preparation

Scout early, shoot often, plan your pack-out before you need it, and get your legs under you — Colorado elk country punishes the unprepared. Sight in well before opening day and let our gunsmiths handle scope mounting, boresighting and trigger work before the fall rush.

Safety First

Treat every firearm as loaded, identify your target and what’s beyond it, wear your daylight fluorescent orange during rifle seasons, and tell someone where you’ll be. Partnering with local clubs like the Routt County Rifle Club is a great way to stay sharp year-round.