Turkey Hunting Season in Colorado: A Comprehensive Guide

For those who are passionate about turkey hunting, Colorado is your haven. As the air turns crisp and the leaves start to crunch beneath your feet, know that the Fall hunting season is here. The majestic Rockies and dense forests of our state invite every hunter for an unparalleled experience. If you are looking to bag a turkey in Colorado this year, here are some things you should know:

Basics of Turkey Hunting Season

Permits Required

To hunt turkeys in Colorado, you need a valid hunting license. You can purchase over-the-counter licenses or enter the draw for limited licenses. Either way, make sure your paperwork is spot on!

Turkey Season Dates

In Colorado, the spring turkey season typically kicks off in early April and extends through late May. The fall season is a tad shorter, usually running from September to October. But remember, dates can vary, so it’s always wise to check with the Colorado Parks & Wildlife (CPW) to stay updated.

Bag Limit

For the spring season, you’re allowed to bag one bearded turkey, whereas in the fall, it’s one turkey of any sex. Yep, that’s your limit! Don’t get too greedy now!

Legal Hunting Hours

Legal hunting hours typically run from a half-hour before sunrise to sunset. But hey, don’t just take my word for it – always cross-check with the official guidelines.

Prime Hunting Locations

Public Lands

National Forests: Ever hunted in the San Juan or Rio Grande National Forests? These places are like turkey hotels!
State Parks: Think of areas like State Forest State Park. But remember to check specific hunting regulations for each park.
BLM Lands: There’s a treasure trove of turkeys waiting on Bureau of Land Management areas.

Private Lands

Gaining Permission: Before stepping onto private lands, ensure you have the landowner’s permission. A polite request can work wonders!
Guided Hunts: If you’re not sure where to start, consider hiring a guide. They know the best spots and will make your hunt memorable.

Gear & Equipment

Firearms

Shotguns: A reliable 12-gauge or 20-gauge shotgun is a turkey hunter’s best friend. Don’t skimp on quality; your trusty shotgun will make or break your hunt.
Archery Equipment: If you’re the silent type, a compound bow or crossbow might be more your speed.

Clothing

Camouflage: Turkeys have terrific eyesight, so invest in high-quality camo to blend seamlessly with your surroundings.
Safety Gear: Always wear hunter orange during rifle seasons to ensure you’re visible to other hunters.

Calls & Decoys

Invest in a variety of turkey calls – from box calls to mouth diaphragms. And don’t forget those decoys to lure ’em in close!

Hunting Techniques

Spot and Stalk

One of the most exhilarating methods! Spot those turkeys from a distance and stalk your way into shooting range.

Blind Hunting

Using a hunting blind can mask your movements, offering a strategic advantage.

Using Calls Effectively

Master the art of turkey calling to mimic and communicate with these birds. Get them to come to you!

Safety & Ethics

Hunter Safety Courses

Before you head out, ensure you’ve completed a hunter safety course. Safety first, folks!

Respect for Property

Always show respect for both public and private lands. Leave no trace behind.

Ethical Shot Placement

Aim for quick, humane kills. It’s about respect for the animal.

Field Dressing

Once you bag that turkey, promptly field dress it to ensure the meat remains in prime condition.

Transportation

Transport your game with care. Use game bags to keep the meat clean.

Feast!

Ah, the best part! Explore a range of delicious recipes to savor the fruits of your labor. From roasting to grilling, the possibilities are endless!

After the Hunt

Turkey hunting in Colorado is more than just a seasonal activity; it’s an experience, a tradition. Armed with this comprehensive guide, you’re now ready to embrace the hunt. Remember, it’s not just about the bagging, but the journey. Enjoy every moment, respect the game, and most importantly, have fun out there!

Elk River Guns

4.7

Based on 102 reviews

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Joyce Treulieb

22:34 05 Jun 25

Amazing!

Michael Kusy

20:21 03 Jun 25

Always a great experience at Elk River Guns!

Jeff Von Almen

22:21 20 May 25

David was great!

Jarrod Raper

21:38 19 May 25

Staff helps with every step of the process and make sure you know what is going on! They are super informative. Great people.

Timothy Moorehead

19:56 17 May 25

Always helpful and good stock!

Stephen Failla

16:56 13 May 25

Dan Emert

15:20 12 May 25

These folks run an impressive operation and are great at everything they do. Highly, highly recommend.

Joel Harris

22:07 09 May 25

Friendly helpful & very well informed. Competitive pricing.

David Smith

17:30 07 May 25

Just got another brick of Hornady 17 HMR 15.5 gr. NTX. It gives exceptional accuracy at 100 yards, is devastatingly lethal on ground squirrels, and doesn’t poison the raptors.

DAVE MIHAICH

19:31 04 May 25

Always a pleasure at Elk River Guns!!👍🏻

Dakota Thvedt

11:02 03 May 25

Alan Clemens

23:02 02 May 25

Great and friendly service as always!

Eric Edelstein

22:33 17 Apr 25

Danny Hulslander

23:13 15 Apr 25

I've had nothing but good experiences with these guys!! Whether it's buying a new firearm, getting some gunsmithing done or selling/trading in a used firearm, they make it an easy and welcoming experience! Thanks guys!

Bob Forster

19:40 09 Apr 25

Great service. Jae made some great recommendations. Very happy with resuling product purchased.

Kasen Brennise

18:13 08 Apr 25

lawrence Belton

13:37 01 Apr 25

Heath Scroggs

00:19 27 Mar 25

Everyone was really excited to help one out!! An amazing environment!!

Mikey DeRock

22:40 25 Mar 25

Everything in house seems to be awesome, staff is friendly and helpful, you could sit and talk to everyone for far too long!Waited a bit too long getting a barrel threaded, but that is not done in house and by a sub contractor.Everything in house from customer service to selection was wonderful, I will be bringing my buisness back again!

Frances Jenkins

01:34 19 Mar 25

Very friendly and extremely knowledgeable staff.

Juan Landa

18:02 10 Mar 25

Wonderful service and great people!

Ron Mentch

22:33 07 Mar 25

Very friendly and helpful!

Sharon Cantu

00:17 02 Mar 25

Friendly & kind , Great customer services . Took the time to explain their products to me . Recommend for everyone to go check them out. Thank you for all your help .

Dave Chapin

21:51 28 Feb 25

As always, great service, very happy with my purchase. Definitely my go to store for anything gun related. Thanks elk river!

Jeff Jewson

04:39 28 Feb 25

Cannon Balls

23:23 27 Feb 25

Best store in town. Knowledgeable Smart people. Best store in Colorado as far as I know.

Donna Segale

22:14 22 Feb 25

I needed to get rid of these guns my husband had that I discovered after he passed. I am not used to being around guns and a bit nervous around them. Everyone at the store were very nice and gave me a fair price for them. The 2 dogs were also sweet.I would highly recommend them.

Scott Baraw

04:06 22 Feb 25

Elk River Guns is like family! They are knowledgeable and understanding for all your gun related needs. Jae the owner is willing to go the extra mile to make sure you are happy with your purchase/future purchases. Dave has impeccable memory. He remembers everyone’s name and welcomes you by name with a warm smile when you walk through the door. Other shops employees just want to take your money any way how. These guys are there to make your day better. They are my number one gun store in my books.Best in the northwest!

Chris H

23:22 13 Feb 25

Jae and Elk River was my go to FFL before I moved away from Steamboat. Just bought a few products from them even though I now live across the country. Elk River was responsive, shipped my product quickly in a well packaged box. Transaction was seamless. Will continue to do business with Jae and Elk River Guns.

Ralph Torres

23:09 12 Feb 25

Very knowledgeable employees in this store ifthey don’t have it. They will order it for you. I’ve never had a bad experience with elk River guns

C Young

07:55 24 Oct 24

Can’t recommend them enough. A lot of gun shops have shady salesman or condescending staff, and it’s the opposite here. David (Mr. Smith) is just the most welcoming warm person to have greet you and guide you through any of your needs. He’s downright hilarious too! Jae is the wizard you can trust with all your gunsmithing needs and is obviously effortlessly knowledgeable with any and everything guns. He has both fixed my broken handgun and mounted an optic within 10 minutes of walking in the store while charging a very fair price. Just crazy levels of service that’s so rare nowadays. Tip this man he deserves it. They have a great selection of guns/parts and transfers, though on the expensive side for transfers, (you’re in steamboat, don’t be unrealistic), are a breeze. In small towns like this we are lucky to have shop of this caliber (pun intended).

The best damn gun shop in Northwest Colorado!
You can be sure – “We treat you right”

Elk River Guns
1320 Dream Island Plaza
Steamboat Springs, CO 80487