10 Best Places to Hunt Turkey in Colorado

Where to Hunt Turkey in Colorado

Turkey hunting is a popular pastime in Colorado, and for good reason. The state offers some of the best turkey hunting in the country, with a variety of public and private lands to choose from. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned veteran, you’re sure to find a great spot to hunt turkeys in Colorado.

In this article, we’ll discuss the best places to hunt turkeys in Colorado, as well as some tips and tricks for successful turkey hunting. We’ll also cover the different types of turkeys that you can find in the state, and the best time of year to hunt them.

So if you’re looking for a challenging and rewarding hunting experience, be sure to put Colorado on your list. With its beautiful scenery, abundant wildlife, and challenging terrain, Colorado is the perfect place to hunt turkeys.

County	Season	Number of Licenses
Adams County	April 15-May 31	1,500
Arapahoe County	April 15-May 31	1,000
Boulder County	April 15-May 31	500
Denver County	April 15-May 31	1,000
Jefferson County	April 15-May 31	1,000

Public Land Hunting Opportunities

Colorado is home to a variety of public land hunting opportunities for turkey, including national forests, state parks, and wildlife management areas. These areas offer hunters a chance to experience the beauty of Colorado’s wilderness while pursuing one of the state’s most challenging game birds.

National Forests

Colorado’s national forests offer some of the best turkey hunting in the state. These forests are vast and rugged, providing plenty of habitat for turkeys. Hunters can find turkeys in a variety of habitats in the national forests, including open meadows, aspen groves, and ponderosa pine forests.

Some of the best national forests for turkey hunting in Colorado include:

* Grand Mesa National Forest – This forest is located in western Colorado and offers excellent turkey hunting opportunities. Hunters can find turkeys in the open meadows and aspen groves of the forest.
* San Juan National Forest – This forest is located in southwestern Colorado and is home to some of the state’s largest turkey populations. Hunters can find turkeys in the ponderosa pine forests and meadows of the forest.
* White River National Forest – This forest is located in central Colorado and offers a variety of turkey hunting opportunities. Hunters can find turkeys in the open meadows, aspen groves, and ponderosa pine forests of the forest.

State Parks

Colorado’s state parks also offer excellent turkey hunting opportunities. These parks are typically smaller than national forests, but they offer a variety of habitats that attract turkeys. Hunters can find turkeys in a variety of habitats in the state parks, including open meadows, aspen groves, and ponderosa pine forests.

Some of the best state parks for turkey hunting in Colorado include:

* Chimney Rock State Park – This park is located in southeastern Colorado and offers excellent turkey hunting opportunities. Hunters can find turkeys in the open meadows and aspen groves of the park.
* Elkhead State Park – This park is located in central Colorado and is home to some of the state’s largest turkey populations. Hunters can find turkeys in the ponderosa pine forests and meadows of the park.
* Mueller State Park – This park is located in central Colorado and offers a variety of turkey hunting opportunities. Hunters can find turkeys in the open meadows, aspen groves, and ponderosa pine forests of the park.

Wildlife Management Areas

Colorado’s wildlife management areas (WMAs) offer another great option for turkey hunting. These areas are managed specifically for wildlife, and they offer a variety of habitats that attract turkeys. Hunters can find turkeys in a variety of habitats in the WMAs, including open meadows, aspen groves, and ponderosa pine forests.

Some of the best WMAs for turkey hunting in Colorado include:

* Breckenridge Turkey WMA – This WMA is located in central Colorado and offers excellent turkey hunting opportunities. Hunters can find turkeys in the open meadows and aspen groves of the WMA.
* Cimarron Turkey WMA – This WMA is located in southeastern Colorado and is home to some of the state’s largest turkey populations. Hunters can find turkeys in the ponderosa pine forests and meadows of the WMA.
* North Park Turkey WMA – This WMA is located in northern Colorado and offers a variety of turkey hunting opportunities. Hunters can find turkeys in the open meadows, aspen groves, and ponderosa pine forests of the WMA.

Private Land Hunting Opportunities

In addition to public land hunting opportunities, there are also a number of private land hunting opportunities for turkey in Colorado. These opportunities can be found on private ranches and outfitters.

Private Ranches

There are a number of private ranches in Colorado that offer turkey hunting opportunities. These ranches offer a variety of hunting experiences, from guided hunts to self-guided hunts. Hunters can find turkeys on a variety of private ranches in Colorado, including open meadows, aspen groves, and ponderosa pine forests.

Some of the best private ranches for turkey hunting in Colorado include:

* Barnes Ranch – This ranch is located in central Colorado and offers excellent turkey hunting opportunities. Hunters can find turkeys in the open meadows and aspen groves of the ranch.
* Elk Creek Ranch – This ranch is located in southeastern Colorado and is home to some of the state’s largest turkey populations. Hunters can find turkeys in the ponderosa pine forests and meadows of the ranch.
* High Plains Ranch – This ranch is located in northern Colorado and offers a variety of turkey hunting opportunities. Hunters can find turkeys in the open meadows, aspen groves, and ponderosa pine forests of the ranch.

Outfitters

3. Hunting Seasons and Regulations

The spring turkey season in Colorado runs from April 15 to May 31. The fall turkey season runs from September 1 to November 30.

Spring turkey season

The spring turkey season is the most popular time to hunt turkeys in Colorado. The weather is usually mild, and the turkeys are more active. The peak of the spring turkey season is typically in May.

Fall turkey season

The fall turkey season is less popular than the spring turkey season, but it can still be a productive time to hunt turkeys. The weather is usually cooler, and the turkeys are less active. The peak of the fall turkey season is typically in October.

Hunting regulations

There are a number of hunting regulations that you need to be aware of when hunting turkeys in Colorado. These regulations include:

* The legal hunting methods for turkeys
* The legal hunting seasons for turkeys
* The legal bag limits for turkeys
* The legal possession limits for turkeys

You can find more information about turkey hunting regulations in Colorado on the Colorado Parks and Wildlife website.

4. Tips for Successful Turkey Hunting in Colorado

There are a number of things you can do to increase your chances of success when hunting turkeys in Colorado. These tips include:

* Scouting

Scouting is essential for successful turkey hunting. You need to know where the turkeys are located and what they are doing. You can scout for turkeys by looking for their tracks, droppings, and scratchings. You can also listen for their calls.

* Calling

Calling is one of the most important skills for turkey hunting. You can use a variety of calls to attract turkeys, including yelps, clucks, purrs, and gobbles. The type of call you use will depend on the time of year and the mood of the turkeys.

* Decoying

Decoys can be a helpful tool for turkey hunting. They can help to attract turkeys and keep them in the area. You can use a variety of decoys, including hen decoys, jake decoys, and full-body decoys.

* Hunting blinds

A hunting blind can provide you with concealment and protection from the elements. You can use a variety of hunting blinds, including pop-up blinds, ground blinds, and tree blinds.

* Gear and equipment

You need to have the right gear and equipment for turkey hunting. This includes a shotgun, a turkey call, decoys, a hunting blind, and a comfortable pair of boots.

Turkey hunting in Colorado can be a challenging and rewarding experience. By following these tips, you can increase your chances of success.

Where can I hunt turkey in Colorado?

There are a number of great places to hunt turkey in Colorado. Here are a few of the best:

* The San Juan Mountains: This area is home to a large population of turkeys, and offers a variety of terrain to hunt in, including open meadows, dense forests, and rugged mountains.
* The Colorado Plateau: This region is also home to a number of turkeys, and offers a variety of hunting opportunities, including hunting over bait, calling, and spot-and-stalk.
* The Eastern Plains: This area is home to a smaller population of turkeys, but offers some of the best hunting opportunities in the state. Turkeys in this area tend to be more aggressive, and are easier to call in.

What do I need to know about turkey hunting in Colorado?

Before you head out to hunt turkeys in Colorado, there are a few things you need to know:

* Permits: You need a valid hunting license to hunt turkeys in Colorado. You can also purchase a turkey permit, which allows you to take one turkey per season.
* Seasons: The turkey hunting season in Colorado runs from April 15 to May 31.
* Bag limits: You are allowed to take one turkey per day, and two turkeys per season.
* Legal methods: The only legal methods of hunting turkeys in Colorado are calling, decoying, and spot-and-stalk.

What are the best times to hunt turkeys in Colorado?

The best time to hunt turkeys in Colorado is during the spring, when the birds are more active and easier to call in. The peak of the season is usually in May.

What gear do I need for turkey hunting in Colorado?

The gear you need for turkey hunting in Colorado will depend on the specific area you are hunting in. However, here is a list of some of the essential gear you will need:

* A shotgun: A 12-gauge shotgun is the most popular choice for turkey hunting in Colorado. You will need a turkey choke to ensure that your shot patterns are tight enough to hit a turkey at close range.
* Shotshells: You will need to use turkey loads, which are designed for use on small game.
* A turkey call: A turkey call is essential for calling in turkeys. There are a variety of different types of turkey calls available, so you will need to choose one that you are comfortable using.
* Clothing: You will need to dress in camouflage clothing to help you blend in with your surroundings. You will also need to wear comfortable clothing that will keep you warm and dry.
* Other gear: Other gear you may need includes a backpack, a first aid kit, a map, and a compass.

What are some tips for turkey hunting in Colorado?

Here are a few tips for turkey hunting in Colorado:

* Scout the area before you hunt. This will help you find areas where turkeys are likely to be feeding, roosting, and breeding.
* Use a variety of calling techniques. Turkeys are very vocal birds, and they can be called in using a variety of different calls.
* Be patient. Turkey hunting can be a slow and frustrating process, but it is also very rewarding.
* Be safe. Turkey hunting is a dangerous activity, so it is important to take all necessary precautions.

Where can I get more information about turkey hunting in Colorado?

There are a number of resources available to help you learn more about turkey hunting in Colorado. Here are a few of the best:

* The Colorado Parks and Wildlife website: This website provides a wealth of information on turkey hunting in Colorado, including regulations, seasons, and tips.
* The National Wild Turkey Federation website: This website provides a variety of resources on turkey hunting, including articles, videos, and hunting tips.
* The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation website: This website provides information on turkey hunting in Colorado, as well as other hunting and conservation topics.

Colorado is a great state for turkey hunting, with a variety of habitats and hunting opportunities. The best time to hunt turkeys in Colorado is during the spring and fall, when the birds are more active. There are a number of different places to hunt turkeys in Colorado, including public lands, private lands, and hunting preserves. Public lands offer the best opportunity for hunters on a budget, while private lands and hunting preserves offer more exclusive hunting experiences. No matter where you choose to hunt, be sure to do your research and get familiar with the local regulations before heading out. With a little planning and effort, you can enjoy a successful turkey hunt in Colorado.