The Guide to the Colorado Pheasant Hunting Season

While many may consider Colorado first and foremost an elk paradise and a must-visit fishing destination, many zones, including the Northeast and Southeast, especially around grain fields and mixed environments, provide the perfect blended ecosystem for pheasants to thrive, even during the harsher winter periods. 

If you're not already, you'll be a Colorado pheasant hunting convert by the end of this blog as we examine some of the critical details to help prepare, read weather insights, and address the administrative requirements for the perfect Colorado upland hunt. 

Where Can You Hunt Pheasants in Colorado?

Most experienced Colorado hunters will tell you that the best places to hunt pheasant in Colorado are found in the northeastern counties, followed closely by those in the southeast. With plenty of pheasant hunting public land Colorado opportunities and private land, there are opportunities across the board for different hunting styles and experience levels. 

Colorado Walk-In Access Hunting

Regarding access, Colorado walk-in access hunting is available through the Walk-In Access (WIA) program, which provides open hunting access (on foot only) across private properties. This is a fantastic opportunity to access some less pressured habitats. However, the onus is on the hunter to know and understand the land they're accessing, so ensure you check the Colorado Parks and Wildlife walk-in guide before the season launches. 

Carefully managed state wildlife areas (SWAs) near waterways like the South Platte (northeast) and Arkansas River (southeast) also support substantial pheasant populations and even quail. 

Private Land

There are also numerous private hunting opportunities, which offer guided and stocked pheasant hunts suitable for all experience levels. 

The key to finding the right spot for a successful Colorado pheasant hunt is scouting, spending time on the ground, researching crop cultivation, and exploring walk-in-access opportunities that provide suitable access and food resources for birds and their chicks. To get started on your Colorado pheasant hunting plan, download the HuntWise app to begin e-scouting public land, walk-in access areas with HuntWise GPS capabilities, and access detailed property lines and landowner information to potentially set up a private hunt opportunity. 

Do I Need a Special License for Colorado Pheasant Hunting?

To kickstart your Colorado pheasant season, you'll need to square away all relevant licensing and permits. The first thing you'll need is a small game hunting license, which you can purchase online or through authorized vendors.

Additionally, hunters must have the mandatory Colorado Hunter Education Certificate. This is required for anyone born on or after January 1, 1949, before purchasing a license. You'll also need a state habitat stamp if you're between 18 and 64 years old. Note that this purchase is irrespective of residency status. 

Finally, to access Walk-In Access (WIA) lands, a $20 permit is required. However, hunters under age 16 are exempt. 

When Is the Best Time to Hunt Pheasants in Colorado?

If you're like many hunters and count down the days to a season opener, then it can be tempting to get out there on day one. However, opening season day does have its drawbacks, as the opening weekend tends to be crowded with higher hunting pressure.

If you can hold off an extra week, especially after snowstorms when birds are more concentrated near food and winter cover, you may be rewarded with more shots at birds. Mid-week hunting can also be a great option, especially in those first few weeks when excitement is high. 

Late-season hunts (post-snow) can provide excellent hunting as pheasants congregate in denser cover near remaining food sources, such as corn or stripped wheat. Patience is a virtue. If you can wait even until the tail end of January, you may be rewarded with more opportunities. 

For those seeking more comfort and fewer crowds, early season (before deep winter sets in) provides milder weather, allowing for lighter gear and a more enjoyable hunt. 

Keeping an eye on crop cultivation timetables and speaking with landowners can provide invaluable information for your Colorado pheasant hunting plan. Harvested crops help concentrate birds, making them easier to locate and hunt. 

How Does Weather Affect Pheasant Hunting in Colorado?

Weather and conditions are crucial to the growth and maintenance of pheasant populations in Colorado, particularly during the nesting, hatching, and raising of young. Due to the varied environment and diverse topography, it's essential to keep in mind that some areas may experience differences in bird numbers and behavior. 

That spring moisture and early summer are so critical to bird numbers, as they support the growth of vegetation and, therefore, nesting cover, insect populations, and brood survival, which ultimately dictate bird numbers. 

Due to Colorado's semi-arid state, periods of drought can contribute to habitat loss (specifically with Conservation Reserve Program/CRP acres) and limit pheasant numbers. Wetter years yield more habitat and better bird density. At the same time, longer or harsh winters can negatively impact nesting opportunities and survival rates due to limited food and access to breeding areas.

Extended frozen, snow-covered periods increase mortality and reduce spring crowing counts. Snowfall does have its advantages, however, as birds are easier to track and generally group up in higher concentrations. 

Remove the Guesswork of When to Hunt

Remember: Hunting conditions are never perfect, as is the nature of the sport. The "Goldilocks" window of weather should fit somewhere between the two extremes.

• Too wet, and nests risk getting washed out
• Too dry, and hens may become increasingly stressed

To remove the guesswork and make the most of the Colorado pheasant season, open the HuntWise real-time HuntCast feature to predict pheasant movement and plan your approach based on real-time weather pattern insights. 

What Counties in Colorado Are Best for Pheasant Hunting?

The Northeast pocket, which includes Yuma, Phillips, Sedgwick, Logan, Washington, Morgan, and southeast Weld, is a traditional stronghold for pheasants. It's essential to stay informed about WIA restrictions, especially during cultivation and sprinkler corners. The mixture of agricultural zones and open prairies makes the Northeast region a consistent pocket for decent pheasant hunting. 

Moving down south to the East-Central areas, such as Southern Yuma, Kit Carson, Cheyenne, and Kiowa, produces consistent bird numbers. However, the loss of Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) land has led to habitat decline and reduced hunting areas. 

Southeast counties like Baca and Prowers generally have poorer pheasant numbers, but areas around Walsh and Stonington can be moderate to fair in wet seasons. The Vilas State Wildlife Area, located in the Baca Arkansas River Valley zone, can provide consistently good hunting, which is managed by the state wildlife areas.

Hunters and conservation groups consistently highlight the Holyoke Phillips county state wildlife area as a top pheasant destination in the state. 

Hunt the Colorado Pheasant Season Better With HuntWise

For stunning beauty, exciting upland hunting opportunities, and a range of access opportunities, a Colorado pheasant hunt has got you covered. While often overlooked or considered primarily a big game destination, there are plenty of great pheasant hunting opportunities if you're willing to look for them in Colorado.

Start your search for the best places to hunt pheasants with the HuntWise app, which allows you to begin e-scouting high-potential regions and mark possible hunting locations. If you come across private land, you will also have access to the landowner's contact details to inquire about any opportunities.

Don't have the app yet? Download it now and get your first week free!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

We have answers to your questions about Colorado pheasant hunting!

Q: Does Colorado have good pheasant hunting?

A: Yes! Colorado pheasant hunting is good, especially in the eastern plains (northeast and southeast corners) where habitat and CRP cover exist. 

Q: When can you hunt pheasants in Colorado?

A: For the 2025 season, pheasant season runs November 8, 2025, through January 31, 2026, for Season 1 (East of I-25) and November 8, 2025, through January 4, 2026, in some western areas (Season 2).

Q: Do you have to wear orange when pheasant hunting in Colorado?

A: No. The requirement to wear blaze orange (or pink) generally applies to big-game firearm seasons, like deer, elk, and bear) in Colorado. Small game and upland bird hunts (like pheasant) are not under that orange requirement.