Last verified Jul. 2026

Colorado deer seasons, 2026

Colorado deer hunting is almost entirely limited (draw) — even the archery and rifle seasons that are over-the-counter for elk generally require drawing a deer tag. The dates below are the statewide framework from the full calendar; your hunt code sets your actual window.

Deer in the rifle seasons — the part people get wrong

Deer and elk share the four rifle seasons, but not equally:

• 2nd & 3rd rifle — the full combined deer-and-elk seasons. This is when most rifle deer hunting happens.
• 1st & 4th rifle — elk-primary. Deer is available only through a separate limited optional-deer license, not the general season.

So "is deer season open in first rifle?" has a genuinely nuanced answer, and it's the kind of thing the older Colorado hunting sites blur. The rifle-seasons page lays out all four.

Archery and muzzleloader

Archery deer runs the full month of September 2–30, overlapping the elk archery season; archery rules and crossbow details apply the same as for elk. Muzzleloader deer is the short September 12–20 season and is limited (draw), with its own equipment rules.

The deer rut

Unlike elk, the mule deer rut comes late — mid-to-late November — which is part of why the fourth rifle season and late plains seasons are prized by deer hunters even though they're cold and hard to draw.

Drawing a deer tag

Because deer is largely limited, preference points matter, and the draw is how you get most deer tags. Non-residents should read the non-resident guide for the caps that apply.