HUNTING

Colorado hunting trips to Gunnison and Crested Butte feature a big game paradise. Trophy elk and mule deer, as well black bear, mountain lion, moose, big horn sheep, and antelope are all options for the hunt of a lifetime in some of the most beautiful country you’ve ever seen.

Small game hunting in the Gunnison basin can be pretty spectacular too. Gunnison County is just smaller than Connecticut, but is 80% public lands. Hunt for coyotes in miles of sage, or chase bobcats through the high alpine tundra and spruce forests.

GUNNISON AND CRESTED BUTTE GAME MANAGEMENT UNITS

Game management units are the specific regions in which you will plan a Colorado hunting trip. All lottery applications will have you specify a GMU. There are 3 GMU’s to look into if you are planning a Colorado hunting trip to Gunnison or Crested Butte. Almost all of them include an opportunity to hunt in designated Wilderness Areas.

GMU 54: This unit is located between the left side of Highway 135 North and the middle of the West Elk Wilderness. Be prepared to hunt above treeline during the early season and move lower as it gets colder. The lower elevations of this unit are private ranch land for the most part.

GMU 55: Located on the other side of Highway 135 from Unit 54 this unit contains a spectacular amount of public land. Stretching from Schofield Pass to Cottonwood Pass it is large and contains a lot of nooks and crannies. Expect to hunt above 9,000 feet for the most part, although having a private landowner tag during lower elevation late season hunts can help your odds significantly.

GMU 67: Unit 67 covers a large swath of Bureau of Land Management land south of Gunnison and extending to the La Garita Mountains. It’s rolling mountains, plains of sagebrush, and dark timber stands have a rich history of elk hunting.

LICENSING

Big game licensing in Colorado is not easily explained and is probably best done by Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Tags and licenses are split very specifically into game management units, sex, method of take, and season. Most of these specific tags are available through a weighted lottery system. Application to the weighted lottery generally has a deadline of early April every year.

Did you miss the lottery deadline and still want to plan a Colorado hunting trip? Don’t worry, Colorado Parks and Wildlife does sell over-the-counter tags for some species like elk and deer. Contacting a guide service is a great way to increase your chances of a successful hunt, as well as provide you with the correct licensing information that you need.

Shed hunting

Antler shed hunting is a popular spring and summer activity in Gunnison Crested Butte. In Colorado, shed hunting is prohibited Jan. 1-April 30 to protect wintering wildlife. There are additional time-of-day restrictions in the Gunnison Basin from May 1-15 to protect the Gunnison sage grouse. Visit the Colorado Parks and Wildlife website for more information.

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ACTIVITIES IN GUNNISON-CRESTED BUTTE

Be sure to check out the other fall and summer activities Crested Butte and Gunnison have to offer. We have stellar mountain biking trails and an abundance of hiking trails, rivers to raft and fish, rocks to climb, good food to eat, and cool towns to see. Check out our activities page to learn more!

CRESTED BUTTE AND GUNNISON HOTELS

Whether you’re looking for a cabin or a condo, a hostel or a traditional hotel, we’ve got you covered for a vacation rental. Visit our lodging page to learn more!

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Hunting etiquette

Know and Follow the Laws – Always abide by local hunting regulations, including seasons, bag limits, and licensing requirements.
Respect Private Property – Always obtain permission before hunting on private land.
Practice Firearm Safety – Treat every gun as if it’s loaded, never point it at anything you don’t intend to shoot, and keep your finger off the trigger until ready to fire.
Be Aware of Your Target and Beyond – Always confirm your target and what lies beyond it before taking a shot.
Wear Proper Safety Gear – Use blaze orange or other required safety colors to stay visible to other hunters.
Respect Other Hunters – Give others space, avoid interfering with their hunt, and do not claim another’s hunting spot.
Follow Fair Chase Ethics – Avoid using unfair advantages such as illegal baiting, excessive technology, or unsporting methods.
Take Only Ethical Shots – Ensure a clean, humane kill by knowing your shooting limits and waiting for a responsible shot.
Retrieve and Use Your Game – Make every effort to track and recover wounded animals and use as much of the animal as possible.
Respect Wildlife – Hunt responsibly to support conservation and avoid unnecessary harm to non-game species.
Leave No Trace – Pack out all trash, shell casings, and other waste to keep the environment clean.
Control Your Dogs – If hunting with dogs, train them well and ensure they don’t disturb other hunters or wildlife.
Be Courteous in Public Hunting Areas – Follow posted rules, avoid excessive noise, and be considerate of others.
Transport Game Responsibly – Follow proper handling and transportation laws to show respect for the animal and avoid public distress.
Educate and Mentor Others – Set a good example for new hunters by teaching ethical hunting practices and conservation principles.