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2026-27 county guide
Lincoln County Hunting Guide
Everything a hunter checks before driving into Lincoln County: GMU shares, season dates, licenses sold over the counter, 2024 harvest by unit, state wildlife areas and trust lands, and services near Hugo.
Photo: Cataloging Nature (CC BY 2.0)
Lincoln County size, people and CPW office
Lincoln County sits in the CPW Southeast Region, the CPW district that takes in the Arkansas River valley, the southeastern plains and grasslands, the Wet Mountains, the Sangre de Cristo front and Pikes Peak country. The county is part of CPW Area 14; its office is the Colorado Springs Office in Colorado Springs under area wildlife manager Tim Kroening. About 5,598 people called it home in 2024 by the Census count (1.3% down on the 2020 base of 5,673); the seat is Hugo.
Its 2,578 square miles of land make it one of the larger Colorado counties. Leave Lincoln County in any direction and you enter Arapahoe County, Cheyenne County, Crowley County, El Paso County, Elbert County, Kiowa County, Kit Carson County, Pueblo County and Washington County.
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.
GMU map of Lincoln County
The county overlaps 9 GMUs. GMU 107 accounts for around 20% of its ground. Every acre of GMU 112 falls within Lincoln County. The shares below come from overlaying the CPW unit layer on Census county lines; legal unit edges are the roads and streams listed in the brochure. All units are on the plains side of the state, so the plains elk and pronghorn rows are the ones to read.
| GMU | Share of county | Share of GMU | Neighbours | Elk points | CWD (elk) | Lion | Spring turkey | Fall turkey |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GMU 107 | 20% | 42% | Washington, Kit Carson | No | No | Group 19 | OTC, private only | Draw only |
| GMU 119 | 16% | 71% | El Paso | No | No | Group 19 | OTC | OTC |
| GMU 121 | 15% | 37% | Kiowa, Cheyenne | No | No | Group 19 | OTC | OTC |
| GMU 114 | 14% | 63% | Cheyenne, Kit Carson | No | No | Group 19 | OTC | OTC |
| GMU 112 | 11% | 100% | None | No | No | Group 19 | OTC | OTC |
| GMU 120 | 10% | 53% | Crowley, Kiowa | No | No | Group 19 | OTC | Closed |
| GMU 113 | 8% | 98% | Cheyenne | No | No | Group 19 | OTC | OTC |
| GMU 106 | 3% | 12% | Arapahoe, Elbert, Washington | No | No | Group 19 | OTC | Closed |
| GMU 111 | 2% | 9% | Elbert, El Paso | No | No | Group 19 | OTC | Closed |
None of the county's units appears on the antler point restriction list. Hunters here may submit heads voluntarily, but nothing in these units triggers the mandatory elk test. Lions are managed by harvest-limit group, and Lincoln County falls in group 19 (limit 5); check the CPW limit report after 5 p.m. the day before a hunt. A spring OTC turkey license covers GMUs 119, 121, 114, 112, 120, 113, 106, 111.
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.
Lincoln County license and season calendar
OTC rows can be bought at a license agent or online with no draw; limited rows for Lincoln County need a drawn or leftover license for that hunt code.
| Species | Hunt | Units | First day | Last day | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deer | Archery doe, limited | GMU 107 | Oct 1, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Deer | Archery doe, limited | GMUs 119/121/114/112 + | Oct 1, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Deer | Archery either-sex, limited | GMUs 107/106 | Oct 1, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Deer | Archery either-sex, limited | GMUs 119/121/114/112 + | Oct 1, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Deer | Muzzleloader buck, limited | GMUs 107/119/121/114 + | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Deer | Muzzleloader doe, limited | GMUs 107/119/121/114 + | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Deer | Muzzleloader either-sex, limited | GMUs 107/119/121/114 + | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Deer | Rifle buck, limited | GMUs 107/119/121/114 + | Oct 24, 2026 | Nov 3, 2026 | |
| Deer | Rifle doe, limited | GMUs 107/119/121/114 + | Oct 24, 2026 | Nov 3, 2026 | |
| Deer | Rifle either-sex, limited | GMUs 107/119/121/114 + | Oct 24, 2026 | Nov 3, 2026 | |
| Deer | Rifle buck, limited late-season | GMU 107 | Dec 1, 2026 | Dec 14, 2026 | |
| Deer | Rifle doe, limited late-season | GMUs 107/106 | Dec 1, 2026 | Dec 14, 2026 | |
| Deer | Rifle either-sex, limited late-season | GMUs 107/106 | Dec 1, 2026 | Dec 14, 2026 | |
| Elk | Plains rifle either-sex, OTC | GMUs 107/119/121/114 + | Sep 1, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Elk | Archery either-sex, OTC plains | GMUs 107/119/121/114 + | Sep 2, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 | |
| Elk | Archery either-sex, OTC residents | GMUs 107/119/121/114 + | Sep 2, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 | |
| Pronghorn | Muzzleloader buck, limited | GMUs 107/119/121/114 + | Sep 21, 2026 | Sep 29, 2026 | |
| Pronghorn | Muzzleloader doe, limited | GMUs 107/119/121/114 + | Sep 21, 2026 | Sep 29, 2026 | |
| Pronghorn | Rifle buck, limited | GMUs 107/119/121/114 + | Oct 3, 2026 | Oct 11, 2026 | |
| Pronghorn | Rifle buck, private-land only | GMUs 121/120 | Oct 3, 2026 | Oct 11, 2026 | |
| Pronghorn | Rifle doe, limited | GMUs 107/119/121/114 + | Oct 3, 2026 | Oct 11, 2026 | |
| Pronghorn | Rifle doe, private-land only | GMUs 121/120 | Oct 3, 2026 | Oct 11, 2026 | |
| Pronghorn | Rifle doe, limited late-season | GMUs 119/111 | Dec 1, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Pronghorn | Rifle doe, limited late-season | GMUs 121/114/112/120 + | Dec 5, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Pronghorn | Rifle doe, private-land only | GMUs 121/120 | Dec 5, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Plains rifle, OTC | GMUs 107/119/121/114 + | Sep 2, 2026 | Nov 22, 2026 | |
| Mountain lion | Lion season | GMUs 107/119/121/114 + | Nov 23, 2026 | Mar 31, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall, limited late-season | GMU 107 | Sep 1, 2026 | Oct 23, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall, youth-only limited | GMU 107 | Sep 1, 2026 | Oct 23, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall, OTC (east) | GMUs 119/121/114/112 + | Sep 1, 2026 | Oct 23, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Youth extended fall season | Youth's own units | Nov 21, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Late beardless, OTC private-land | GMUs 112/113 | Dec 15, 2026 | Jan 15, 2027 | |
| 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 | |
| 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.
OTC or draw in Lincoln County
Colorado residents can pick up an unlimited archery elk tag over the counter and use it in GMUs 107, 119, 121, 114, 112, 120, 113, 106 and 1 more. Nonresident bowhunters can hunt GMUs 107, 119, 121, 114, 112, 120, 113, 106 and 1 more on an OTC elk license. An unlimited plains rifle elk license applies to GMUs 107, 119, 121, 114, 112, 120, 113, 106 and 1 more.
| Game | Unlimited rows | Draw codes | Private only | RFW |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elk | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Deer | 0 | 51 | 0 | 0 |
| Pronghorn | 0 | 24 | 3 | 0 |
| Black bear | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Wild turkey | 3 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
Hunt-code count for the county's GMUs: 88, most of them limited. To apply in the big game draw you first need a qualifying license, such as an annual small game license; preference points build for each species when a first choice is not drawn.
| License | Resident | Nonresident |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
The visibility rule calls for 500 square inches of orange or pink above the waist and an orange or pink cap for firearm big game hunters. Hunters 18 to 64 also buy the $12.76 Habitat Stamp with their first license of the year.
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.
Lincoln County public land map
Public land adds up to some 60,235 acres (3.7% of the county) once overlaps are removed, mostly STL open to hunters. The starred State Land Board row includes closed parcels; hunters use only the CPW-leased trust lands. The public total skips starred kinds, which are mostly closed to hunting. Polygon measures are approximate; official acreage is on each land page.
| Category | Acres in county |
|---|---|
| SWAs | 2,708 |
| STL open to hunters | 55,791 |
| BLM ground | 1,736 |
| All State Land Board land* | 131,193 |
Open ground inside Lincoln County
BLM Royal Gorge field office
BLM field office.
Brett Gray Ranch STL
Game on file: Big game, Furbearer, Small game.
Punkin Center STL
Game on file: Coyote, Deer, Pronghorn, Rabbit.
Hugo SWA
Game on file: Deer, Dove, Pronghorn, Rabbit, Waterfowl.
Karval STL
Game on file: Coyote, Deer, Pheasant, Pronghorn, Quail, Rabbit.
Kinney Lake STL
Game on file: Coyote, Deer, Dove, Furbearer, Pronghorn, Rabbit, Waterfowl.
Kinney Lake SWA
Game on file: Deer, Pronghorn, Small game, Waterfowl.
Karval Reservoir SWA
Game on file: Deer, Dove, Rabbit, Scaled quail, Waterfowl.
Beyond Lincoln County, nearest first
- Flagler Reservoir SWA34 miles, state wildlife area, Kit Carson County
- Flagler STL37 miles, state trust land parcel, Kit Carson County
- Jumping Cow STL38 miles, state trust land parcel, Elbert County
- Ramah SWA38 miles, state wildlife area, El Paso County
Access to SWAs and CPW trust parcels is tied to a valid license or State Wildlife Area Pass for anyone 16 and over. Open dates differ by parcel, so read the land page before planning a trip. Hunters in Lincoln County can use Walk-In Access parcels with a small game license and Habitat Stamp, on foot.
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.
Lincoln County units by the numbers
Harvest is reported by game management unit, never by county; for Lincoln County read these as totals for each GMU, county share or not. In 2024 GMU 106 gave up 13 elk, more than any other unit touching Lincoln County. Deer: GMU 107 at 161 for 2024, the high mark here. Pronghorn harvest was highest in GMU 111 (321). The bear column is empty for these units. CPW also reports 2025 harvest by hunt code and herd unit; this table keeps to the 2024 GMU tables.
| GMU | Share | Deer harvest | Success | Elk harvest | Hunters | Success | Antelope | Bear |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GMU 107 | 20% | 161 | 43% | 0 | 13 | 0% | 211 | — |
| GMU 119 | 16% | 31 | 21% | 0 | 3 | 0% | 253 | — |
| GMU 121 | 15% | 34 | 36% | 5 | 10 | 50% | 116 | — |
| GMU 114 | 14% | 35 | 52% | 3 | 11 | 31% | 102 | — |
| GMU 112 | 11% | 28 | 27% | — | — | — | 219 | — |
| GMU 120 | 10% | 14 | 15% | 0 | 3 | 0% | 193 | — |
| GMU 113 | 8% | 23 | 27% | 0 | 9 | 0% | 68 | — |
| GMU 106 | 3% | 82 | 48% | 13 | 32 | 42% | 229 | — |
| GMU 111 | 2% | 69 | 49% | 3 | 24 | 11% | 321 | — |
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.
Lincoln County ducks, geese, turkeys and sheep
More than one duck calendar applies here, because the Northeast and Southeast zones meet in the county. No special goose area reaches Lincoln County; dark geese follow the Central Flyway dates. The spring light goose conservation order (February 15 to April 30, 2027) applies to the part of Lincoln County east of I-25. The single statewide dove season is September 1 to November 29, 2026. Add HIP, the $12.76 Colorado waterfowl stamp and the $33.00 federal stamp to a small game license for ducks or geese.
| Season | Zone or area | Window |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Merriam's and Rio birds in Lincoln County
8 of 9 of the units in Lincoln County accepted the OTC spring turkey license in 2026, April 11 to May 31, 2026; GMU 107 was private-land only. Spring 2027 turkey dates were not out yet at the last check; the 2027 Turkey brochure will set them. For fall birds, GMUs 119, 121, 114, 112, 113 take the OTC license; fall is closed in GMUs 120, 106, 111.
Bighorn and goat units near Lincoln County
Bighorn and goat licenses do not apply in Lincoln 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.
Lincoln County wildlife officers, towns and outfitters
For Lincoln County, the area wildlife manager is Tim Kroening (Area 14); the area office phone is on the card below. Through the Turn In Poachers program, a report that leads to charges for illegal big game or turkey take can earn licenses or preference points.
Lincoln County base towns
Census also maps these places in Lincoln County:
- Limon1,992
- Arriba199
- Genoa154
Our directory lists 1 gun or outdoor store inside Lincoln County, and no game processors, taxidermists and outfitters and guides; neighbouring counties fill the gaps below. Outfitters come from the state DORA registration list, which gives only a mailing town; shops, processors and taxidermists come from store locators and Yellow Pages, so call ahead.
Elk and deer processing, Lincoln County
Lincoln County mount makers
Ammo and gear near Lincoln County
Guides near Lincoln County
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.
Lincoln County: gun clubs, clay fields and public ranges
Up to six Lincoln County ranges show as cards, with any others in a table below.
Cheyenne Mountain State Park Archery Range in El Paso County is the nearest public range in CPW’s finder, roughly 73 miles away. Hours
Ranges from the CPW Shooting Range Finder, ranges’ own sites and directory listings, checked November 5, 2026.
Lincoln County hours on key season dates
Big game light near Lincoln County starts 30 minutes before sunrise and ends 30 minutes after sunset; turkeys, small game and ducks end at sunset.
| Date | Why it matters | Sunrise | Sunset | Big game hours | Bird hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 2, 2026 | Archery elk/deer opens | 6:23 a.m. | 7:25 p.m. | 5:53 a.m. to 7:55 p.m. | 5:53 a.m. to 7:25 p.m. |
| Oct 17, 2026 | Duck season opens | 7:04 a.m. | 6:14 p.m. | 6:34 a.m. to 6:44 p.m. | 6:34 a.m. to 6:14 p.m. |
| Nov 23, 2026 | Lion season opens | 6:45 a.m. | 4:36 p.m. | 6:15 a.m. to 5:06 p.m. | 6:15 a.m. to 4:36 p.m. |
| Dec 21, 2026 | Shortest day | 7:09 a.m. | 4:35 p.m. | 6:39 a.m. to 5:05 p.m. | 6:39 a.m. to 4:35 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.



Lincoln County hunters ask
Who leads the CPW area team for Lincoln County?
Area wildlife manager Tim Kroening, Area 14.
How much public hunting ground does Lincoln County have?
About 60,235 mapped acres, the largest being BLM Royal Gorge field office.
Which goat units cover Lincoln County?
None.
Does fluorescent pink satisfy the Lincoln County visibility rule?
Yes; solid pink counts the same as orange, but camouflage patterns in either colour do not.
Can nonresidents buy OTC elk in Lincoln County?
Yes for archery in GMUs 107, 119, 121, 114, 112, 120, 113, 106 and 1 more.
Is Lincoln County one hunting unit?
No. Colorado hunts by GMU, and Lincoln County is split among 9 of them, led by GMU 107.
Does Lincoln County have mandatory elk testing?
No.
How many points does a bull need in Lincoln County?
There is no minimum here.
What were the 2026 spring gobbler dates around Lincoln County?
The OTC season ran April 11 to May 31, 2026; CPW had not set 2027 dates when checked.
Is there an April lion season in Lincoln County?
No, not in 2027.
When is goose season in Lincoln County?
See the bird table; dates depend on the flyway and goose area.
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.
Lincoln County trip reminders
Dates here are for 2026-27; CPW publishes new brochures every year.
Sources: 2026 Colorado Big Game brochure, CPW hunting, Census and the sources in each section. Checked November 5, 2026.