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Hunt Richard State Wildlife Area (Hunting & Fishing Lease): units, rules and dates
State wildlife area in Jackson County, 2,323 acres listed.
Photo: Jeffrey Beall (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Richard State Wildlife Area (Hunting & Fishing Lease)
Parking, trailheads and gates near Richard State Wildlife Area (Hunting & Fishing Lease)
- Parking areaParking · 0.3 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.3 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.5 mi from the centreDirections
- Boat rampBoat ramp · 3.5 mi from the centreDirections
Parking, trailhead and gate locations come from OpenStreetMap contributors. Roads into public land can be gated or seasonal; check with the managing agency before you go.
Richard SWA (Hunting & Fishing Lease): size, game and management
Acreage on record for Richard SWA (Hunting & Fishing Lease): 2,323, from the CPW SWA page. In a size ranking of 224 state wildlife areas, Richard SWA (Hunting & Fishing Lease) lands at 57th. Jackson County holds 8 state wildlife areas in this guide, Richard SWA (Hunting & Fishing Lease) among them. CPW manages it within Area 10 of the Northwest Region, in the Walden W district. CPW lists the Area CPW Office, Steamboat Springs office at 970-870-3333 for this property. Camping: not shown as available on the CPW page.
Game named for this ground: Waterfowl, Small game, Big game.
From the agency page (Colorado Parks and Wildlife); retrieved 2026-11-04, checked November 5, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Richard State Wildlife Area (Hunting & Fishing Lease)
Richard SWA (Hunting & Fishing Lease): units, rules and 2024 harvest
Hunt codes for Richard SWA (Hunting & Fishing Lease) follow its 1 unit: GMU 161.
The elk antler point rule covers GMU 161 here. GMU 161: free, mandatory CWD testing for selected rifle elk licenses. Lion group: 3.
Unit-wide 2024 results, all manners of take; top line: GMU 161, 318 elk.
| GMU | Animal | Taken | Hunters | Success rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GMU 161 | Elk | 318 | 2,888 | 11% |
| GMU 161 | Deer | 70 | 249 | 28% |
| GMU 161 | Pronghorn | 120 | 169 | 71% |
| GMU 161 | Black bear | 4 | – | – |
GMU overlay from the CPW Big Game GMU layer; unit rules from the 2026 Big Game brochure; 2024 elk harvest by GMU, 2024 deer harvest by GMU, 2024 pronghorn harvest by GMU, 2024 bear harvest by GMU; checked November 5, 2026.
Richard SWA (Hunting & Fishing Lease) entry and conduct rules
No license, no entry: on Richard SWA (Hunting & Fishing Lease) every visitor aged 16 or up holds a hunting or fishing license or an SWA Pass. Motor vehicles belong on open roads only, and overnight camping needs CPW authorization. Stands and blinds: portable only, never more than 30 days before opening day. Keep guns and bows quiet in lots, camps and picnic areas.
Lettered restrictions:
- Public access prohibited, except while hunting and fishing.
- Hunting prohibited within 200 yards of buildings.
- Discharge of firearms or bows prohibited, except when hunting.
From the agency source, CPW SWA finder; checked November 5, 2026.
Licenses and dates for Richard SWA (Hunting & Fishing Lease)
44 rows below cover elk, deer, pronghorn, moose, bear, lion and turkey where valid. 9 rows are over the counter (black bear, elk and wild turkey), with no draw needed. 13 rows limited to private land are excluded. CPW has not released spring 2027 turkey dates; the row is the 2026 season.
| Quarry | Weapon | Sex | License | Begins | Ends | Units |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elk | Archery | cow | Limited, nonresident | Sep 2, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 | 161 |
| Elk | Archery | cow | OTC, residents | Sep 2, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 | 161 |
| Elk | Archery | either sex | Limited, nonresident | Sep 2, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 | 161 |
| Elk | Archery | either sex | OTC, residents | Sep 2, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 | 161 |
| Elk | Muzzleloader | cow | Limited draw | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | 161 |
| Elk | Muzzleloader | either sex | Limited draw | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | 161 |
| Elk | Rifle | cow | Limited draw | Oct 14, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | 161 |
| Elk | Rifle | either sex | Limited draw | Oct 14, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | 161 |
| Elk | Rifle | cow | Limited draw | Oct 24, 2026 | Nov 1, 2026 | 161 |
| Elk | Second rifle | bull | OTC | Oct 24, 2026 | Nov 1, 2026 | 161 |
| Elk | Rifle | cow | Limited draw | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 15, 2026 | 161 |
| Elk | Third rifle | bull | OTC | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 15, 2026 | 161 |
| Elk | Rifle | cow | Limited draw | Nov 18, 2026 | Nov 22, 2026 | 161 |
| Elk | Rifle | either sex | Limited draw | Nov 18, 2026 | Nov 22, 2026 | 161 |
| Deer | Archery | either sex | Limited draw | Sep 2, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 | 161 |
| Deer | Rifle | buck | Limited, early | Sep 5, 2026 | Sep 13, 2026 | 161 |
| Deer | Muzzleloader | buck | Limited draw | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | 161 |
| Deer | Muzzleloader | doe | Limited draw | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | 161 |
| Deer | Rifle | buck | Limited, early | Oct 1, 2026 | Oct 7, 2026 | 161 |
| Deer | Rifle | doe | Limited, early | Oct 1, 2026 | Oct 7, 2026 | 161 |
| Deer | Rifle | buck | Limited draw | Oct 14, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | 161 |
| Deer | Rifle | buck | Limited draw | Oct 24, 2026 | Nov 1, 2026 | 161 |
| Deer | Rifle | buck | Limited draw | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 15, 2026 | 161 |
| Deer | Rifle | buck | Limited draw | Nov 18, 2026 | Nov 22, 2026 | 161 |
| Pronghorn | Archery | buck | Limited draw | Aug 15, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | 161 |
| Pronghorn | Archery | doe | Limited draw | Sep 1, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | 161 |
| Pronghorn | Muzzleloader | buck | Limited draw | Sep 21, 2026 | Sep 29, 2026 | 161 |
| Pronghorn | Muzzleloader | doe | Limited draw | Sep 21, 2026 | Sep 29, 2026 | 161 |
| Pronghorn | Rifle | buck | Limited draw | Oct 3, 2026 | Oct 11, 2026 | 161 |
| Pronghorn | Rifle | doe | Limited draw | Oct 3, 2026 | Oct 11, 2026 | 161 |
| Moose | Archery | cow | Limited draw | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 | 161 |
| Moose | Muzzleloader | cow | Limited draw | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | 161 |
| Moose | Season choice | bull | Limited draw | Sep 12, 2026 | Oct 14, 2026 | 161 |
| Moose | Rifle | cow | Limited draw | Oct 1, 2026 | Oct 14, 2026 | 161 |
| Moose | Rifle | cow | Limited, late | Oct 14, 2026 | Nov 22, 2026 | 161 |
| Black bear | Archery | either sex | Limited draw | Sep 2, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 | 161 |
| Black bear | Archery | either sex | OTC | Sep 2, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 | 161 |
| Black bear | Rifle | either sex | Limited draw | Sep 2, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 | 161 |
| Black bear | Muzzleloader | either sex | Limited draw | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | 161 |
| Black bear | Muzzleloader | either sex | OTC | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | 161 |
| Black bear | Rifle | either sex | OTC | Oct 14, 2026 | Nov 22, 2026 | 161 |
| Mountain lion | All methods | – | Group harvest limit | Nov 23, 2026 | Mar 31, 2027 | 161 |
| Wild turkey | Spring | – | OTC | Apr 11, 2026 | May 31, 2026 | 161 |
| Wild turkey | Fall | – | OTC | Sep 1, 2026 | Oct 4, 2026 | 161 |
Bird and small game dates
| Species | Season | Applies in | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dusky grouse | Season | West of I-25 | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 22, 2026 |
| Ducks and coots | Season (split) | Mountain zone | Oct 3, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 |
| Dark geese | North Park season | Jackson County | Oct 3, 2026 | Jan 15, 2027 |
| Cottontail | Season | Statewide | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 |
Season rows and hunt codes from the 2026 Colorado Big Game brochure, the 2026 Small Game and Waterfowl brochure, the Turkey brochure and the Mountain Lion brochure; property access dates still apply; checked November 5, 2026.
Richard SWA (Hunting & Fishing Lease): next-nearest hunting ground
Nearest neighbour on the map: Lake John SWA, 1 mile north. The neighbour mix: 4 trust land parcels and 2 SWAs. Do not mistake these places for open ground: Brownlee II State Wildlife Area (Fishing Lease) (CPW lists no hunting), Verner State Wildlife Area (Fishing Lease) (CPW lists no hunting) and Manville State Wildlife Area (Fishing Lease) (CPW lists no hunting).
| Area | Kind | Acres | County | Miles off | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake John SWA | SWA | 282 | Jackson | 1 mile | north |
| East Delaney Butte Lake STL | State trust land | 640 | Jackson | 4 miles | south |
| Delaney Butte Lakes SWA | SWA | 2,620 | Jackson | 4 miles | south |
| Sixteen Ditch STL | State trust land | 280 | Jackson | 4 miles | east |
| Red Canyon STL | State trust land | 640 | Jackson | 6 miles | southwest |
| Independence Mountain STL | State trust land | 11,239 | Jackson | 7 miles | north |
Point: CPW page map coordinates (no polygon in the public-access layer). Straight-line distances. Closed places from lands.json closed rows. Statewide public land map.
Driving to Richard SWA (Hunting & Fishing Lease)
The record point for Richard SWA (Hunting & Fishing Lease) is 40.7645, -106.4641, the centre of the mapped parcel.
map files from the CPW property page; point from CPW page map coordinates (no polygon in the public-access layer); checked November 5, 2026.
Hunting hours worked out for Richard SWA (Hunting & Fishing Lease)
Deer, elk, pronghorn, moose, bear and lion may be hunted from half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset; turkey, small game and waterfowl stop at sunset.
| When | Event | Rise | Set | Big game | Small game |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 15, 2026 | Pronghorn bow opener | 6:15 a.m. | 8:05 p.m. | 5:45 a.m. to 8:35 p.m. | 5:45 a.m. to 8:05 p.m. |
| Sep 2, 2026 | Archery opener | 6:32 a.m. | 7:38 p.m. | 6:02 a.m. to 8:08 p.m. | 6:02 a.m. to 7:38 p.m. |
| Sep 12, 2026 | Muzzleloader opens | 6:42 a.m. | 7:22 p.m. | 6:12 a.m. to 7:52 p.m. | 6:12 a.m. to 7:22 p.m. |
| Oct 3, 2026 | Duck season opens | 7:02 a.m. | 6:46 p.m. | 6:32 a.m. to 7:16 p.m. | 6:32 a.m. to 6:46 p.m. |
| Oct 24, 2026 | Second rifle opens | 7:25 a.m. | 6:14 p.m. | 6:55 a.m. to 6:44 p.m. | 6:55 a.m. to 6:14 p.m. |
| Nov 23, 2026 | Lion season opens | 7:01 a.m. | 4:43 p.m. | 6:31 a.m. to 5:13 p.m. | 6:31 a.m. to 4:43 p.m. |
| Dec 21, 2026 | Shortest day | 7:25 a.m. | 4:41 p.m. | 6:55 a.m. to 5:11 p.m. | 6:55 a.m. to 4:41 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.
Resupply and services around Richard SWA (Hunting & Fishing Lease)
Walden is the closest town on this site to Richard SWA (Hunting & Fishing Lease), 10 miles as the crow flies. Of the five, Steamboat Springs is the biggest at 13,620 residents (2024 estimate). CPW staff closest to Richard SWA (Hunting & Fishing Lease) work from Steamboat Springs (29 miles).
| Town | County | Pop. 2024 | Miles off | Bearing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walden | Jackson | 557 | 10 miles | east |
| Steamboat Springs | Routt | 13,620 | 27 miles | southwest |
| Red Feather Lakes | Larimer | – | 46 miles | east |
| Yampa | Routt | 390 | 48 miles | southwest |
| Kremmling | Grand | 1,436 | 49 miles | south |
Towns from places.json (Census 2024 estimates); CPW offices from the CPW Contact Us page; businesses from services.json listings; straight-line miles. Checked November 5, 2026.
Pictures for planning a Richard SWA (Hunting & Fishing Lease) hunt
Richard State Wildlife Area (Hunting & Fishing Lease) hunters: public range plus clubs
Hayden Shooting Range is 45 miles from Richard State Wildlife Area (Hunting & Fishing Lease) and is the nearest public range in CPW’s finder. Beside it sit the closest club ranges inside 30 miles.
From the CPW Shooting Range Finder, ranges’ own pages and directory listings, checked November 5, 2026.
Richard SWA (Hunting & Fishing Lease) in brief, question by question
Who publishes the rules for Richard SWA (Hunting & Fishing Lease)?
Colorado Parks and Wildlife, on its website.
Do I need anything beyond a hunting license for Richard SWA (Hunting & Fishing Lease)?
A valid Colorado hunting or fishing license, or the SWA Pass, covers entry for visitors 16 and up; your game license covers the hunt.
How many acres of hunting ground is Richard SWA (Hunting & Fishing Lease)?
2,323 acres, by the CPW SWA page.
What part of Colorado holds Richard SWA (Hunting & Fishing Lease)?
Look in Jackson County.
What are the GMU numbers for Richard SWA (Hunting & Fishing Lease)?
Units on the map for this ground: GMU 161.
What access limits apply on Richard SWA (Hunting & Fishing Lease)?
Per the property rules, public access prohibited, except while hunting and fishing.
What species are listed for Richard SWA (Hunting & Fishing Lease)?
Listed game here: waterfowl, small game and big game.
Are OTC elk licenses valid on Richard SWA (Hunting & Fishing Lease)?
Yes: 4 rows here, e.g. archery (OTC, residents). Nonresident OTC archery rules differ west of I-25.
Do I need to test an elk from Richard SWA (Hunting & Fishing Lease) for CWD?
Selected rifle elk licenses in GMU 161 require a free CWD test. Count antler points before shooting a bull in GMU 161.
Which community sits nearest to Richard SWA (Hunting & Fishing Lease)?
Walden (10 miles).
Which office should I call before visiting Richard SWA (Hunting & Fishing Lease)?
Try Area CPW Office in Steamboat Springs, 970-870-3333.
Is pink allowed instead of orange on Richard SWA (Hunting & Fishing Lease)?
Fluorescent pink counts the same as orange; firearm big game hunters wear 500 square inches plus a hat.
What does the bait law mean on Richard SWA (Hunting & Fishing Lease)?
You may not hunt big game over salt, minerals, grain, animal parts or other food, whether or not you placed it.
From what time can I take a shot on Richard SWA (Hunting & Fishing Lease)?
On November 7, 2026, roughly 6:12 a.m. to 5:27 p.m. for big game in Jackson County; bird and small game hours end at sunset.
Can I spend the night on Richard SWA (Hunting & Fishing Lease)?
CPW does not list camping.
Richard SWA (Hunting & Fishing Lease): the final check
Sign and attach your carcass tag right after the kill, and keep your license and hunter education card with you on Richard SWA (Hunting & Fishing Lease).
Sources: source 1 · source 2 · source 3 · source 4; seasons from the 2026 Colorado Big Game brochure. Checked November 5, 2026.
Other photos on this page: USFWS Mountain Prairie (CC BY 2.0); USFWS Mountain Prairie (Public domain); born1945 (CC BY 2.0).