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CPW Area 14
Kit Carson County Hunt Planner
Kit Carson County hunting in one place: GMUs 109, 116, 107, 117, 115 and 1 more, the CPW Southeast Region, duck zones, turkey status by unit, public land by owner, outfitters, stores and shooting hours.
Photo: Max and Dee Bernt (CC BY 2.0)
Where Kit Carson County fits in Colorado
On the CPW map, Kit Carson County belongs to the Southeast Region, whose territory runs across the Arkansas River valley, the southeastern plains and grasslands, the Wet Mountains, the Sangre de Cristo front and Pikes Peak country. CPW Area 14 covers it, with staff working out of Colorado Springs (Colorado Springs Office) under area wildlife manager Tim Kroening. Burlington is the county seat, and the Census Bureau estimated 7,080 residents in 2024, level with the 2020 base of 7,081.
Count on 2,161 square miles of land within the county lines, about 1,382,926 acres. The state line puts Cheyenne County (KS), Sherman County (KS) and Wallace County (KS) next door, alongside Cheyenne County, Lincoln County, Washington County and Yuma County. The nearest CPW counter is in Lamar, around 85 straight-line miles away.
Population from the Census Vintage 2024 estimates; area from the 2024 Census gazetteer; neighbours from Census county adjacency; seat from the list of Colorado counties; CPW region, area and offices from the CPWAdminData layers and the CPW Contact Us page. Checked November 5, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Kit Carson County
Kit Carson County GMUs and unit rules
Hunt codes for Kit Carson County come from 6 units; about 38% of the county sits in GMU 109. No GMU is entirely in-county, which means the unit table matters more than the county boundary. Treat the percentages as a rough guide. The legal line is the road, river or ridge the brochure names for each unit. All of these are plains units east of the foothills, where most land is private and OTC plains elk, whitetail and pronghorn archery licenses apply.
| Game unit | County part | Unit part | Also covers | APR elk | Test elk | Lion group | Spring | Fall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GMU 109 | 38% | 79% | Yuma, Washington | No | No | Group 19 | OTC, private only | Draw only |
| GMU 116 | 26% | 57% | Cheyenne | No | No | Group 19 | OTC | OTC |
| GMU 107 | 14% | 24% | Lincoln, Washington | No | No | Group 19 | OTC, private only | Draw only |
| GMU 117 | 11% | 52% | Cheyenne | No | No | Group 19 | OTC | OTC |
| GMU 115 | 8% | 48% | Cheyenne | No | No | Group 19 | OTC | Closed |
| GMU 114 | 4% | 16% | Lincoln, Cheyenne | No | No | Group 19 | OTC | OTC |
Any bull with visible antlers is legal under a bull license in these units; no point rule applies. The mandatory elk sampling units do not include any GMU in Kit Carson County. For lion, Kit Carson County units belong to group 19 (limit 5). A group shuts as soon as its quota is filled. GMUs 116, 117, 115, 114 take the statewide OTC spring turkey license.
GMU shares from the CPW GMU boundary layer over Census county lines; boundaries in the 2026 Big Game brochure GMU descriptions; point rule from brochure p. 36; CWD units from brochure p. 41; lion groups from the 2026-2027 Mountain Lion brochure; turkey lists from the 2026 Turkey brochure; shed closure from brochure p. 12. Checked November 5, 2026.
Kit Carson County season dates for 2026-27
Ducks follow five Colorado zones split by I-25, I-70 and the Continental Divide, which is why a county near a line can show two sets of bird dates.
| Quarry | Season type | Where | Begins | Ends | Open now? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deer | Archery doe, limited | GMUs 109/116/107/117 | Oct 1, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Deer | Archery doe, limited | GMUs 115/114 | Oct 1, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Deer | Archery either-sex, limited | GMUs 109/116/107/117 | Oct 1, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Deer | Archery either-sex, limited | GMUs 115/114 | Oct 1, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Deer | Muzzleloader buck, limited | GMUs 109/116/107/117 + | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Deer | Muzzleloader doe, limited | GMUs 109/116/107/117 + | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Deer | Muzzleloader either-sex, limited | GMUs 109/116/107/117 + | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Deer | Rifle buck, limited | GMUs 109/116/107/117 + | Oct 24, 2026 | Nov 3, 2026 | |
| Deer | Rifle doe, limited | GMUs 109/116/107/117 + | Oct 24, 2026 | Nov 3, 2026 | |
| Deer | Rifle either-sex, limited | GMUs 109/116/107/117 + | Oct 24, 2026 | Nov 3, 2026 | |
| Deer | Rifle doe, limited | GMU 109 | Nov 18, 2026 | Nov 22, 2026 | |
| Deer | Rifle buck, limited late-season | GMUs 116/107/117 | Dec 1, 2026 | Dec 14, 2026 | |
| Deer | Rifle doe, limited late-season | GMUs 109/116/107/117 | Dec 1, 2026 | Dec 14, 2026 | |
| Deer | Rifle either-sex, limited late-season | GMUs 109/116/107/117 | Dec 1, 2026 | Dec 14, 2026 | |
| Deer | Rifle doe, limited late-season | GMU 109 | Jan 1, 2027 | Jan 15, 2027 | |
| Elk | Plains rifle either-sex, OTC | GMUs 109/116/107/117 + | Sep 1, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Elk | Archery either-sex, OTC plains | GMUs 109/116/107/117 + | Sep 2, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 | |
| Elk | Archery either-sex, OTC residents | GMUs 109/116/107/117 + | Sep 2, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 | |
| Pronghorn | Muzzleloader buck, limited | GMUs 109/116/107/117 + | Sep 21, 2026 | Sep 29, 2026 | |
| Pronghorn | Muzzleloader doe, limited | GMUs 109/116/107/117 + | Sep 21, 2026 | Sep 29, 2026 | |
| Pronghorn | Rifle buck, limited | GMUs 109/116/107/117 + | Oct 3, 2026 | Oct 11, 2026 | |
| Pronghorn | Rifle doe, limited | GMUs 109/116/107/117 + | Oct 3, 2026 | Oct 11, 2026 | |
| Pronghorn | Rifle doe, limited late-season | GMUs 116/117 | Dec 1, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Pronghorn | Rifle doe, limited late-season | GMUs 115/114 | Dec 5, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Plains rifle, OTC | GMUs 109/116/107/117 + | Sep 2, 2026 | Nov 22, 2026 | |
| Mountain lion | Lion season | GMUs 109/116/107/117 + | Nov 23, 2026 | Mar 31, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall, limited late-season | GMUs 109/107 | Sep 1, 2026 | Oct 23, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall, youth-only limited | GMUs 109/107 | Sep 1, 2026 | Oct 23, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall, OTC (east) | GMUs 116/117/114 | Sep 1, 2026 | Oct 23, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Youth extended fall season | Youth's own units | Nov 21, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | |
| Pheasant | Season 1 | East of I-25 | Nov 14, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Quail | Season 1 | East of I-25 | Nov 14, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Quail | Season 2 | East of I-25 | Nov 14, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | |
| Chukar | Season | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 30, 2026 | |
| Prairie-chicken | Season | Listed GMUs | Oct 1, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Ptarmigan | Season 1 | Statewide | Sep 12, 2026 | Oct 4, 2026 | |
| Mourning dove | Season | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | |
| Teal | September teal season | Listed areas | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | |
| Ducks and coots | Season (split) | Northeast zone | Oct 17, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Ducks and coots | Season | Southeast zone | Oct 28, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Dark geese | Season | Central Flyway | Nov 2, 2026 | Feb 14, 2027 | |
| Light geese | Season | Central Flyway | Oct 31, 2026 | Feb 14, 2027 | |
| Light geese | Light Goose Conservation Order | East of I-25 | Feb 15, 2027 | Apr 30, 2027 | |
| Prairie dogs | Private land, year-round | Statewide | Apr 1, 2026 | Mar 31, 2027 | |
| Snapping turtle | Season | Statewide | Apr 1, 2026 | Oct 31, 2026 | |
| Ground squirrel | Year-round | Statewide | Apr 1, 2026 | Mar 31, 2027 | |
| Coyote | Year-round | Statewide | Apr 1, 2026 | Mar 31, 2027 | |
| Collared-dove | Year-round (invasive) | Statewide | Apr 1, 2026 | Mar 31, 2027 | |
| Starling and sparrow | Year-round (invasive) | Statewide | Apr 1, 2026 | Mar 31, 2027 | |
| Prairie dogs | Public land season | Statewide | Jun 15, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Rattlesnake | Season | Statewide | Jun 15, 2026 | Aug 15, 2026 | |
| Marmot | Season | Statewide | Aug 10, 2026 | Oct 15, 2026 | |
| Band-tailed pigeon | Season | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Sep 14, 2026 | |
| White-winged dove | Season | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | |
| Rails | Season | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Snipe | Season | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Dec 16, 2026 | |
| Fox squirrel | Season | Statewide | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Pine squirrel | Season | Statewide | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Cottontail | Season | Statewide | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Snowshoe hare | Season | Statewide | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Jackrabbits | Season | Statewide | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Beaver | Season | Statewide | Oct 1, 2026 | Mar 31, 2027 | |
| Sandhill crane | Season | East of the Divide | Oct 3, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | |
| Ducks and geese | Youth and military days | Northeast zone | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 11, 2026 | |
| Ducks and geese | Youth and military days | Southeast zone | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Other furbearers | Season | Statewide | Nov 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Crow | Season | Statewide | Nov 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Abert's squirrel | Season | Statewide | Nov 15, 2026 | Jan 15, 2027 | |
| Bobcat | Season | Statewide | Dec 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 |
From the 2026 Colorado Big Game brochure, the 2026 Small Game and Waterfowl brochure, the 2026 Turkey brochure and the 2026-2027 Mountain Lion brochure (Colorado Parks and Wildlife), checked November 5, 2026.
Kit Carson County license options
Residents can buy an over-the-counter archery elk license, either sex, for GMUs 109, 116, 107, 117, 115, 114 without entering the draw. Nonresidents may also buy OTC archery elk in GMUs 109, 116, 107, 117, 115, 114, part of the plains and east-of-I-25 exceptions. The plains OTC rifle elk license (either sex) covers GMUs 109, 116, 107, 117, 115, 114, mostly on private land with permission.
| Species | OTC season rows | Limited codes | Private-only codes | RFW codes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elk | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Deer | 0 | 52 | 0 | 0 |
| Pronghorn | 0 | 16 | 0 | 0 |
| Black bear | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Wild turkey | 2 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
Across the county's units the 2026 brochures list 77 big game and turkey hunt codes; most are limited, so the draw decides who hunts. A current qualifying license (annual small game, a combo or spring turkey, among others) must be in hand before applying, and unsuccessful first choices earn a preference point.
| License | Colorado resident | Out of state |
|---|---|---|
| Elk, adult | $70.40 | $845.16 |
| Deer, adult | $51.25 | $506.92 |
| Pronghorn, adult | $51.25 | $506.92 |
| Black bear, adult | $64.01 | $302.56 |
| Mountain lion | $64.02 | $845.16 |
| Small game, annual | $38.49 | $104.86 |
Firearm hunters for deer, elk, pronghorn, moose or bear wear at least 500 square inches of solid fluorescent orange or pink above the waist plus an orange or pink hat. The annual Habitat Stamp ($12.76) is required for adults 18 through 64.
OTC rows and hunt codes from the 2026 Colorado Big Game brochure tables and the 2026 Turkey brochure; draw dates from brochure p. 4; fees from brochure p. 5 (nonresident big game prices are fishing combos and include the $1.25 search-and-rescue fee); orange rule from brochure p. 15. Checked November 5, 2026.
Kit Carson County SWAs, trust land and federal acres
About 0.6% of Kit Carson County, near 7,869 acres, is public hunting land on these layers, chiefly CPW-leased trust land. The State Land Board owns more trust land than the public figure shows, but only parcels leased by CPW for hunting access are open; the rest is leased and closed to the public. Starred lines show land that is mapped but not counted as open hunting ground. Map-measured acres differ from what agencies publish, so use the land pages for official numbers.
| Kind | Acres mapped |
|---|---|
| CPW state wildlife areas | 3,373 |
| CPW-leased trust land | 4,496 |
| All State Land Board land* | 49,681 |
Kit Carson County SWAs, trust lands and forest
South Republican SWA
CPW species: Bobwhite quail, Deer, Dove, Pheasant, Rabbit, Squirrel, Turkey, Waterfowl.
South Fork Republican STL
CPW species: Coyote, Deer, Pheasant, Pronghorn, Quail, Rabbit.
Settlement STL
CPW species: Coyote, Deer, Dove, Pronghorn, Rabbit.
Spring Valley STL
CPW species: Coyote, Deer, Rabbit.
Flagler STL
CPW species: Coyote, Deer, Pronghorn, Rabbit.
Flagler Reservoir SWA
CPW species: Deer, Dove, Pheasant, Rabbit, Turkey, Waterfowl.
Landsman Creek STL
CPW species: Coyote, Deer, Dove, Pheasant, Quail, Rabbit, Turkey.
Just over the Kit Carson County line
- South Fork Spring Canyon STL30 miles, state trust land parcel, Yuma County
- Hay Gulch Overlook STL33 miles, state trust land parcel, Yuma County
- Bonny Creek STL36 miles, state trust land parcel, Yuma County
- Sandy Bluffs STL38 miles, state trust land parcel, Yuma County
- Sandy Bluffs SWA38 miles, state wildlife area, Yuma County
Bring a hunting or fishing license on SWAs and leased trust land; non-hunters 16 and older buy the SWA Pass. Property rules such as seasonal closures and vehicle limits come from each CPW page. Kit Carson County is also one of the counties with Walk-In Access properties: private land leased by CPW, foot traffic only, with the Habitat Stamp and a small game license.
Acres from the CPW managed properties layer (SWA and STL), USGS PAD-US 4.1 (Forest Service, BLM, refuges, parks, military) and the BLM field office layer; places from the CPW SWA finder, the STL finder and each land page; access rules from the CPW property pages. Checked November 5, 2026.
Kit Carson County GMU harvest numbers, 2024
Because CPW stopped at the unit level (it has no county estimates), the table lists 2024 survey estimates for the GMUs in Kit Carson County. Top elk unit for 2024: GMU 114, 3 elk and 31% success across all methods. For deer, GMU 107 had the highest 2024 estimate at 161 (43% success). GMU 107 led for pronghorn with 211 animals. No bear harvest was estimated in these units for 2024. Success is the share of hunters who took an animal, all methods combined; small units with few hunters swing widely from year to year.
| Unit | % of county | Deer | Deer success | Elk | Elk hunters | Elk success | Pronghorn | Black bear |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GMU 109 | 38% | 121 | 27% | 0 | 3 | 0% | 18 | — |
| GMU 116 | 26% | 88 | 39% | 0 | 9 | 0% | 59 | — |
| GMU 107 | 14% | 161 | 43% | 0 | 13 | 0% | 211 | — |
| GMU 117 | 11% | 41 | 40% | 0 | 6 | 0% | 20 | — |
| GMU 115 | 8% | 32 | 35% | 0 | 3 | 0% | 108 | — |
| GMU 114 | 4% | 35 | 52% | 3 | 11 | 31% | 102 | — |
Estimates from the CPW 2024 harvest reports by GMU: deer, elk, pronghorn and black bear; no county tables (CPW statistics pages); county shares from the CPW GMU layer. Checked November 5, 2026.
Birds and high-country game in Kit Carson County
CPW zone text and the GIS lines put parts of Kit Carson County in the Central Flyway Northeast Zone and Central Flyway Southeast Zone. Dark goose hunting here uses the general Central Flyway season. Snow goose hunters east of I-25 get the conservation order from February 15 to April 30, 2027. Mourning doves open statewide on September 1, 2026 and close November 29, 2026. Migratory bird hunters need HIP, a $12.76 state stamp and the $33.00 federal stamp on top of the small game license.
| Birds | Zone or area | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Ducks and coots | Northeast | Oct 17–Nov 29, 2026 Dec 11–Jan 31 (2026-27) |
| Youth and military days | Northeast | Oct 10–Oct 11, 2026 |
| Ducks and coots | Southeast | Oct 28–Jan 31 (2026-27) |
| Youth and military days | Southeast | Oct 17–Oct 18, 2026 |
| Dark geese | Central Flyway | Nov 2–Feb 14 (2026-27) |
| Sandhill crane | Listed counties | Oct 3–Nov 29, 2026 |
| Light geese | Central Flyway | Oct 31–Feb 14 (2026-27) |
| Conservation order | East of I-25 | Feb 15–Apr 30, 2027 |
| September teal | Listed areas | Sep 12–Sep 20, 2026 |
| Mourning dove | Statewide | Sep 1–Nov 29, 2026 |
Kit Carson County spring and fall turkey
In spring 2026 the OTC gobbler season ran April 11 to May 31, 2026, and 4 of 6 units in Kit Carson County took the OTC license (GMUs 109, 107 on private land only). The 2027 spring turkey brochure was not posted at our check, so treat spring dates as last year's. OTC fall turkey covers GMUs 116, 117, 114; GMU 115 stays closed.
Kit Carson County high-country units
No bighorn sheep or mountain goat unit reaches Kit Carson County.
Waterfowl zones and dates from the 2026 Small Game and Waterfowl brochure (county lists derived from the zone text and the I-25, I-70 and Divide lines); doves from the dove season page; turkey from the 2026 Turkey brochure; sheep and goat units from the CPW bighorn and mountain goat unit layers and the 2026 Sheep and Goat brochure. Checked November 5, 2026.
Phone list for Kit Carson County hunts
Questions about access, damage or violations in Kit Carson County go to the Area 14 office, where Tim Kroening serves as area wildlife manager. CPW offices close on state holidays, so call before driving in to buy a license or check an animal.
Kit Carson County towns, units and land
| Town | Population | Unit | Land within 10 mi | Acres within 10 mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington | 3,171 | GMU 109 | 0 | 0 |
Kit Carson County also includes:
- Stratton651
- Flagler583
- Bethune185
- Seibert177
- Vona90
Inside the county we found 1 game processor, 2 taxidermists and 2 gun and outdoor stores but no outfitters and guides. Registered outfitters are listed by mailing town from the DORA records; other businesses are directory listings worth a phone call before you drive.
Kit Carson County processors
Kit Carson County shoulder mounts
Kit Carson County sporting goods
Kit Carson County DORA outfitters
Offices and area wildlife managers from the CPW Contact Us page and the CPW area layer; towns and places from the 2024 Census gazetteer; outfitters from the DORA licence data; other services from store locators and Yellow Pages listings. Checked November 5, 2026.
Kit Carson County: gun clubs, clay fields and public ranges
Kit Carson Mountain Men heads this short list for Kit Carson County at about 39 miles from the county centre.
Mike Higbee State Wildlife Area Shooting Range is the CPW-listed range nearest Kit Carson County, 84 miles away; entry is a Colorado hunting or fishing license or an SWA pass. See the range
Ranges from the CPW Shooting Range Finder, ranges’ own sites and directory listings, checked November 5, 2026.
Kit Carson County legal shooting light
In Kit Carson County, the light goose conservation order and furbearer hunting both run to half an hour after sunset.
| When | Event | Rise | Set | Big game | Small game |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 2, 2026 | Archery elk/deer opens | 6:19 a.m. | 7:22 p.m. | 5:49 a.m. to 7:52 p.m. | 5:49 a.m. to 7:22 p.m. |
| Oct 17, 2026 | Duck season opens | 7:01 a.m. | 6:10 p.m. | 6:31 a.m. to 6:40 p.m. | 6:31 a.m. to 6:10 p.m. |
| Nov 23, 2026 | Lion season opens | 6:42 a.m. | 4:32 p.m. | 6:12 a.m. to 5:02 p.m. | 6:12 a.m. to 4:32 p.m. |
| Dec 21, 2026 | Shortest day | 7:06 a.m. | 4:30 p.m. | 6:36 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. | 6:36 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
Hours rules from the 2026 Colorado Big Game brochure and the Small Game and Waterfowl brochure; sunrise and sunset worked out for this location with the NOAA solar formula (Mountain Time); checked November 5, 2026. Legal hours for every county.
Kit Carson County FAQ
How do I report a lion taken in Kit Carson County?
Call CPW within 48 hours and present the head and hide within 5 days.
Do Kit Carson County units open for fall turkeys?
Yes, on the OTC fall license in GMUs 116, 117, 114.
Which stamps does a Kit Carson County duck hunter carry?
A small game license with HIP, the $12.76 Colorado waterfowl stamp and, at 16 and older, the $33.00 federal stamp.
When is goose season in Kit Carson County?
See the bird table; dates depend on the flyway and goose area.
Does Kit Carson County have big game records?
CPW keeps no big game records program; harvest statistics are the published measure.
Which public tract in Kit Carson County is the biggest?
South Republican SWA, 18,365 acres across all its counties.
Which of the four CPW regions includes Kit Carson County?
The Southeast Region, served from Colorado Springs.
Does fluorescent pink satisfy the Kit Carson County visibility rule?
Yes; solid pink counts the same as orange, but camouflage patterns in either colour do not.
Is there sheep or goat hunting near Kit Carson County?
Not inside the county.
What GMU is most of Kit Carson County in?
GMU 109, roughly 38% of its area.
When do OTC elk licenses go on sale for Kit Carson County?
Leftover and OTC licenses went on sale Aug. 4.
Answers from the 2026 Colorado Big Game brochure, the Small Game and Waterfowl brochure, the Turkey brochure, the Mountain Lion brochure, orange rule, Sunday hunting, hunter education, CPW records note and the sources above. Checked November 5, 2026.
Kit Carson County last word
Sign and attach the carcass tag as soon as the animal is down, and keep evidence of sex naturally attached.
Sources: 2026 Colorado Big Game brochure, CPW hunting, Census and the sources in each section. Checked November 5, 2026.