Hunting & Shooting

The Forest boasts world class fishing streams and big game hunting. 

Shooting is prohibited in and around developed recreation sites.

Hunting

Our national forest offers many types of hunting opportunities for hunters of all ages and experience levels. Each year visitors enjoy hunting high in the mountains in thick timber stands, in open ground above timber and in the sagebrush lowlands. We have some of the best big game hunting in Colorado including GMU 76. 

State laws apply to hunting laws and regulations on all national forests. Colorado hunting regulations.

Archery

We have the Rock Creek Archery Range near Monte Vista, CO. 

Recreational and Target Shooting

Shooting is allowed. Gun safety and courtesy are a must. For recommended areas and additional information, contact the local ranger district offices.

Federal Rules

• According to Title 36 of the Code of Federal Regulations, recreational shooting can take place on the National Forests and Grasslands under these conditions:
  • 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.

Know Before You Go

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Recreation Opportunities

Hunting (6)

Showing: 1 - 6 of 6 results

Hughes Trailhead

Site Open

The Hughes Trail trail is 2.2 miles long. It begins at Forest Trail 740 and ends at Banded Peaks Ranch/District Boundary/forest Bdy. What is left of the trail is now open only to hiking; a landslide…

La Garita Wilderness: Rio Grande

Congress designated the La Garita Wilderness in 1964 and it now has a total of 129,626 acres. La Garita means "the lookout" in Spanish, and this Wilderness amply deserves the name. From the summit of…

Roaring Gulch Trailhead - Trail # 720

Site Open

The Roaring Gulch trail is 9.9 miles long. It begins at Forest Road 250 at the South Fork Trailhead and ends at Forest Trail 719. The trail is open for the following uses: Horseback riding, hiking,…

Sangre de Cristo Wilderness: Rio Grande

The 220,803 acre Sangre de Cristo Wilderness was designated by congress in 1993. All of this wilderness is located in Colorado and is managed by the Forest Service and the National Park Service. The…

South San Juan Wilderness: Rio Grande

The South San Juan Wilderness encompasses the southeastern extent of the San Juan Mountain Range, including a segment of the Continental Divide. Originally designated as wilderness by Congress in…

Weminuche Wilderness: Rio Grande

Explore Colorado’s largest wilderness, the Weminuche Wilderness: 500k acres, rugged peaks, wildflowers, hiking, horseback riding, fishing.