When is Turkey Season in Colorado? A Guide to the Different Turkey Hunting Seasons

Turkey hunting is a popular pastime in Colorado, with many hunters eager to bag a plump bird for the dinner table. However, turkey seasons vary throughout the year, so it’s important for hunters to know the exact dates to avoid hunting out of season. In this article, we’ll break down the major turkey hunting seasons in Colorado and provide key information for hunters.

Overview of Turkey Seasons in Colorado

There are three main turkey hunting seasons in Colorado

• Spring Turkey Season – This is the most popular season, running from mid-April to late May. The spring season targets male turkeys (“toms”) during the breeding season.

• Fall Turkey Season – The fall season runs from early September through late October and mainly targets female turkeys.

• Late Season – Colorado also has a limited late season from mid-December to mid-January on private land only.

Turkey licenses and fees vary by season. And within each season, there are different license types – limited and unlimited – with different regulations. Read on for more details on dates, license types, and tips for each season.

Spring Turkey Season

The spring turkey season is the most exciting time to hunt turkeys in Colorado Here are the key details

Dates:

• The 2024 spring turkey season runs from April 13 to May 31.

License Types:

• Limited licenses – Limited in number, issued through a draw/lottery system
• Ranching for Wildlife licenses – For select private ranches, residents only
• Over-the-counter (OTC) licenses – Unlimited licenses sold directly over the counter

Tips for Spring:

• Focus on calls – Spring is when tom turkeys are fired up to breed, so calling is very effective for luring in amorous toms. Use hen yelps, clucks, and purrs to mimic a receptive female.

• Use decoys – Set up a hen decoy to attract an eager tom looking for a mate. Move the decoy occasionally to add realism.

• Be patient – Calling in lovesick toms requires patience. Sit still against a tree and run through call sequences every 20-30 minutes.

• Camouflage well – Blend into the terrain with camo clothing from head to toe to avoid detection when turkeys approach.

Fall Turkey Season

The fall turkey season is centered around hunting female turkeys (“hens”):

Dates:

• The 2024 fall turkey season is from September 1 – October 25.

License Types:

• Limited licenses
• Ranching for Wildlife licenses
• Over-the-counter (OTC) licenses

Tips for Fall:

• Use hen calls – Hens don’t respond as readily to aggressive gobbling sounds. Use clucks, yelps, and purrs instead.

• Focus on food sources – Hens concentrate around food sources like crop fields during fall. Set up near feeding areas at dawn and dusk.

• Camouflage scent – Use scent elimination sprays or cover scents to avoid detection of human odor.

• Be mobile – Hens are in larger flocks in fall. If one area is unproductive, keep moving to find more birds.

Late Turkey Season

Finally, Colorado offers a limited late turkey season on private lands only:

Dates:

• The 2024 late season runs from December 15 – January 15.

License Types:

• Unlimited over-the-counter licenses for hunting on private lands only. Permission required.

Tips for Late Season:

• Focus on tree lines – Turkeys congregate in timber during winter for protection from the elements. Sit-and-wait in or near trees.

• Use feeding sites – Put out corn or other feed in open areas to concentrate birds and bring them within range.

• Use turkey calls sparingly – Turkeys are easily spooked in winter and do not respond as well to calling.

• Dress warmly – Late season hunts can be very cold. Dress in layers and protect against the elements.

License Application Deadlines

To hunt in any limited license seasons, hunters must apply through the draw process by these deadlines:

• Spring: Applications due the first week of February

• Fall: Applications due the last week of May

Apply early to increase your chances in the draws. And familiarize yourself with leftover license procedures to get a second shot later on.

Tips for Beginner Turkey Hunters

For those new to turkey hunting, here are some key tips to get started:

• Take a hunter education course – Complete your certification before applying for licenses.

• Start with private land – Ask landowners for permission to hunt their properties with fewer hunters.

• Join conservation organizations – Groups like the National Wild Turkey Federation offer mentored hunts.

• Use expert calls – Consider electronic calls operated remotely to precisely mimic turkey sounds.

• Focus on safety – Ensure safe zones of fire and wear blaze orange when moving between setups.

With preparation and scouting, Colorado’s spring, fall, and late turkey hunting seasons offer ample opportunities to outwit these savvy birds. Just be sure to study the regulations carefully and choose the right licenses and seasons for your hunting needs.