Hunting in Colorado in the summer can be a great adventure. The summer months in Colorado are generally warm to hot but the evenings do get cool. Most of the urban areas, such as Denver, Boulder, and Colorado Springs are pretty predictable. But places at higher elevations, including Vail, Breckenridge, and many hunting sites, remain cooler. Don’t be surprised by summer showers and even thunderstorms, especially in the late afternoons.
Summer hunting in Colorado excludes the big game animals that attract most hunters, but a few species are fair game during the hottest months of the year.
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- Rattlesnakes—They are found throughout most of Colorado but are less common in cold, high-elevation areas. The snakes like grasslands, sandhills, shrublands, woodlands, and sandy soils. Rattlesnakes can often be found in the wedges between rocks or in a pile of logs. Of course, the horny rattle on the end of its tail is the rattlesnake’s distinguishing feature.
- Common Snapping Turtles—These muscular reptiles can weigh between 10 and 35 pounds as adults and are found in streams and ponds, especially in the Rocky Mountain regions of Colorado. They love to bask in the sun, float in ponds, or rest on logs, especially in the spring and summer months.
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- Coyotes—These canine predators live throughout the state of Colorado, despite attempts to control their population. The availability of food sources dictates where they gather, so forest lands, farms,and trash sites are favorites for these omnivores.
- Wyoming Ground Squirrels—Formerly called Richardson’s ground squirrels, these rodents average 10-15-inches-long and weigh less that a pound. They compete with livestock for food and can destroy crops. In Colorado, they are most often found near 5,000 feet of elevation.
- Pronghorn Bucks—They are only about 5-feet-long, and weigh less than 100 pounds. In summer, they are fairly solitary, but they sometimes form bands with other males. Pronghorn bucks are very fast, and are available for bow hunters in the later weeks of August.
Hunting seasons are subject to change, and
hunters should check the Colorado Department of Parks and Wildlife website to keep current on seasonal issues. Hunters can confirm the legality of species, get GPS map information, and find help in getting necessary licenses and permits.
This article is for information only. Please check current regulations before hunting.
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