Hunting & Shooting
The GMUG National Forests provide millions of acres of diverse habitat across stunning landscapes. These areas offer exceptional opportunities for hunting and recreational shooting in a beautiful natural setting.
Hunting
Big game hunting draws hunters from just about every state to southwestern Colorado and to the GMUG National Forests. The major big-game species that live in the GMUG National Forests are mule deer, elk, mountain goat, bighorn sheep, moose, black bear and mountain lion. Game bird species include turkey, blue grouse, rock and mourning dove and various waterfowl species.
While the Forest Service does not sell hunting licenses, a license is required to hunt in Colorado. The Colorado Parks and Wildlife and local retailers sell licenses. Visit the Colorado Parks and Wildlife website for more hunting information.
Recreational and Target Shooting
Target shooting is a fun sport that is allowed on the GMUG National Forests under certain conditions:
According to the Code of Federal Regulations (title 36), recreational shooting can take place on the National Forests and Grasslands if:
- You are at least 150 yards from a residence, building, campsite, developed recreation area or occupied area.
- You are not shooting across or on a National Forest System Road or an adjacent body of water.
- You are not shooting into or within a cave.
- You are not shooting in any manner or place where any person, property or resource is exposed to injury or damage due to such discharge.
- You are not firing any tracer bullet or incendiary ammunition.
For recommended areas and additional information contact the local Ranger Districts.
For everyone's safety, please remember that ricochets can cause fires. Conditions in the forest can be dry at any time of year. When shooting firearms, please take safety precautions and be mindful that hot projectiles and sparks from ricochets can ignite fires in dry, grassy and brushy fuels.