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Home › Colorado › Public land › BLM White River Field Office

Colorado BLM field office · hunting

BLM White River Field Office hunting access and seasons

BLM field office in Rio Blanco County and 2 more counties, 1,000,000 acres.

Get driving directionsAll Rio Blanco County spots

The hero shows Rio Blanco County, in the same country as BLM White River Field Office.

Photo: Jeffrey Beall (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Getting to BLM White River Field Office

Get driving directionsParking on Google MapsTrailheads on Google Maps

What the agency says about BLM White River Field Office

BLM White River Field Office takes in 1,000,000 acres according to the BLM field office page. Size places it 3rd out of 10 BLM field offices in Colorado. 3 BLM field offices touch Rio Blanco County, and BLM White River Field Office is one of the set.

No species list is published for BLM White River Field Office, so the GMU seasons below decide what is open.

1,000,000Acres
1,462,298GIS acres
3Counties
10, 11, 12 +GMUs
NorthwestCPW region
6, 7CPW area

From the agency page (Bureau of Land Management, Northwest District Office); retrieved 2026-11-04, checked November 5, 2026.

Nearby

Places to hunt and shoot around BLM White River Field Office

Piceance State Wildlife Area

Public land · 19 mi from BLM White River Field Office

Directions
Rio Blanco County

County · 19 mi from BLM White River Field Office

Directions
Rio Blanco Lake State Wildlife Area

Public land · 21 mi from BLM White River Field Office

Directions
Bitter Brush State Wildlife Area

Public land · 42 mi from BLM White River Field Office

Directions
Garfield County

County · 43 mi from BLM White River Field Office

Directions
BLM Grand Junction Field Office

Public land · 47 mi from BLM White River Field Office

Directions

What BLM White River Field Office allows and forbids

Unless BLM has closed a spot, its public land can be hunted. Get permission before crossing private property to reach BLM acres.

The BLM page says: “The White River Field Office administers more than one million BLM surface acres in Rio Blanco, Moffat and Garfield Counties”

From the agency source; checked November 5, 2026.

BLM White River Field Office route and map files

BLM White River Field Office is plotted at 39.9807, -108.5603 on the statewide map.

Show on a map

point from CPW Hunting Atlas Land Management (COMaP) BLM polygons inside the BLM administrative unit boundary (polygon centroid of the largest part); checked November 5, 2026.

GMUs and unit rules on BLM White River Field Office

Big game licenses here are sold by unit, and BLM White River Field Office touches 12 GMUs: GMU 10, GMU 11, GMU 12, GMU 21, GMU 22, GMU 23, GMU 24, GMU 30, GMU 31, GMU 32, GMU 33, GMU 211.

Elk antler point restrictions apply in GMU 11, GMU 12, GMU 21, GMU 22, GMU 23, GMU 24 and 5 more. Mandatory free CWD testing applies to listed rifle elk hunt codes in GMU 10, GMU 11, GMU 12, GMU 21, GMU 22, GMU 23 and 6 more. For lions, the units fall in harvest-limit groups 1 and 2.

UnitWhereWatch for
GMU 10Moffat, Rio Blancoelk CWD testing, lion group 1, spring turkey OTC
GMU 11Moffat, Rio Blancoelk antler point rule, elk CWD testing, lion group 1
GMU 12Rio Blanco, Moffat, Routtelk antler point rule, elk CWD testing, lion group 2
GMU 21Rio Blanco, Garfieldelk antler point rule, elk CWD testing, lion group 1
GMU 22Rio Blanco, Garfieldelk antler point rule, elk CWD testing, lion group 1
GMU 23Rio Blanco, Garfieldelk antler point rule, elk CWD testing, lion group 2
GMU 24Rio Blanco, Garfieldelk antler point rule, elk CWD testing, lion group 2
GMU 30Mesa, Garfieldelk antler point rule, elk CWD testing, lion group 1
GMU 31Garfield, Mesa, Rio Blancoelk antler point rule, elk CWD testing, lion group 1
GMU 32Garfieldelk antler point rule, elk CWD testing, lion group 1
GMU 33Garfield, Rio Blancoelk antler point rule, elk CWD testing, lion group 2
GMU 211Moffat, Rio Blancoelk antler point rule, elk CWD testing, lion group 1

CPW publishes harvest by GMU, not by property. In 2024, GMU 22 led these units with 770 elk taken.

GMUAnimalTakenHuntersSuccess rate
GMU 10Elk15827458%
GMU 10Deer586786%
GMU 10Pronghorn1010100%
GMU 10Black bear0––
GMU 11Elk6232,46725%
GMU 11Deer28860048%
GMU 11Pronghorn324278%
GMU 11Black bear2––
GMU 12Elk7552,63429%
GMU 12Deer14746732%
GMU 12Pronghorn81167%
GMU 12Black bear13––
GMU 21Elk3241,99216%
GMU 21Deer33342079%
GMU 21Black bear5––
GMU 22Elk7702,66829%
GMU 22Deer29349459%
GMU 22Pronghorn040%
GMU 22Black bear7––
GMU 23Elk4231,87023%
GMU 23Deer15056526%
GMU 23Pronghorn2721%
GMU 23Black bear19––
GMU 24Elk2651,87914%

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.

BLM White River Field Office season calendar by GMU

The units of BLM White River Field Office carry 57 big game seasons this year. You can buy an OTC license for black bear, elk and wild turkey here; other rows are limited. We dropped 54 rows valid only on private land or enrolled ranches. Spring 2027 turkey dates are not published yet, so the spring row is last year's.

SpeciesSeasonSexKindFromToUnits
ElkArcherycowLimited, nonresidentSep 2, 2026Sep 30, 202621, 22, 30, 31 +
ElkArcherycowOTC, residentsSep 2, 2026Sep 30, 202621, 22, 30, 31 +
ElkArcheryeither sexLimited drawSep 2, 2026Sep 30, 202610, 12, 23, 24 +
ElkArcheryeither sexLimited, nonresidentSep 2, 2026Sep 30, 202611, 21, 22, 30 +
ElkArcheryeither sexOTC, residentsSep 2, 2026Sep 30, 202611, 21, 22, 30 +
ElkMuzzleloaderbullLimited drawSep 12, 2026Sep 20, 202610
ElkMuzzleloadercowLimited drawSep 12, 2026Sep 20, 202610, 11, 12, 21 +
ElkMuzzleloadereither sexLimited drawSep 12, 2026Sep 20, 202611, 12, 21, 22 +
ElkRifleeither sexLimited, earlyOct 1, 2026Oct 11, 202610
ElkRiflebullLimited drawOct 14, 2026Oct 18, 202611, 12, 23, 24 +
ElkRiflecowLimited drawOct 14, 2026Oct 18, 202610, 11, 12, 21 +
ElkRifleeither sexLimited drawOct 14, 2026Oct 18, 202621, 22, 30, 31 +
ElkRiflecowLimited drawOct 24, 2026Nov 1, 202610, 11, 12, 21 +
ElkSecond riflebullOTCOct 24, 2026Nov 1, 202611, 12, 21, 22 +
ElkRiflecowLimited drawNov 7, 2026Nov 15, 202610, 11, 12, 21 +
ElkThird riflebullOTCNov 7, 2026Nov 15, 202611, 12, 21, 22 +
ElkRiflebullLimited drawNov 18, 2026Nov 22, 202611, 12, 23, 24 +
ElkRiflecowLimited drawNov 18, 2026Nov 22, 202610, 11, 12, 21 +
ElkRifleeither sexLimited drawNov 18, 2026Nov 22, 202621, 22, 30, 31 +
ElkRiflecowLimited, lateDec 1, 2026Dec 31, 202610, 11, 22, 211
ElkRiflecowLimited, lateDec 15, 2026Jan 15, 202730, 31
DeerArcherybuckLimited drawSep 2, 2026Sep 30, 202610, 21, 30
DeerArcheryeither sexLimited drawSep 2, 2026Sep 30, 202611, 12, 22, 23 +
DeerRiflebuckLimited, earlySep 5, 2026Sep 13, 202611, 12, 24
DeerMuzzleloaderbuckLimited drawSep 12, 2026Sep 20, 202610, 11, 12, 21 +
DeerMuzzleloaderdoeLimited drawSep 12, 2026Sep 20, 202611, 12, 22, 23 +
DeerRiflebuckLimited, earlySep 12, 2026Sep 20, 202611
DeerRiflebuckLimited drawOct 24, 2026Nov 1, 202610, 11, 12, 21 +
DeerRifledoeLimited drawOct 24, 2026Nov 1, 202611, 12, 22, 23 +
DeerRiflebuckLimited drawNov 7, 2026Nov 15, 202610, 11, 12, 21 +
DeerRifledoeLimited drawNov 7, 2026Nov 15, 202611, 12, 22, 23 +
DeerRiflebuckLimited drawNov 18, 2026Nov 22, 202611, 12, 22, 23 +
DeerRifledoeLimited, splitNov 18, 2026Nov 22, 202611, 211
DeerRifledoeLimited, lateDec 1, 2026Dec 14, 202612
PronghornArcherybuckLimited drawAug 15, 2026Sep 20, 202611, 12, 211
PronghornArcheryeither sexLimited drawAug 15, 2026Sep 20, 202630
PronghornArcherydoeLimited drawSep 1, 2026Sep 20, 202611, 12, 211
PronghornMuzzleloaderbuckLimited drawSep 21, 2026Sep 29, 202611, 12, 211
PronghornMuzzleloaderdoeLimited drawSep 21, 2026Sep 29, 202611, 12, 211
PronghornRiflebuckLimited drawOct 3, 2026Oct 11, 202610, 11, 12, 30 +
PronghornRifledoeLimited drawOct 3, 2026Oct 11, 202611, 12, 211
MooseArcherycowLimited drawSep 12, 2026Sep 30, 202612, 23, 24, 33
MooseMuzzleloadercowLimited drawSep 12, 2026Sep 20, 202612, 23, 24, 33
MooseRiflecowLimited drawOct 1, 2026Oct 14, 202612, 23, 24, 33
MooseSeason choicebullLimited drawOct 1, 2026Oct 14, 202612, 33
MooseRiflecowLimited, lateOct 14, 2026Nov 22, 202612, 23, 24
Black bearArcheryeither sexLimited drawSep 2, 2026Sep 30, 202610, 11, 12, 21 +
Black bearArcheryeither sexOTCSep 2, 2026Sep 30, 202612, 21, 22, 23 +
Black bearRifleeither sexLimited drawSep 2, 2026Sep 30, 202610, 11, 12, 21 +
Black bearMuzzleloadereither sexLimited drawSep 12, 2026Sep 20, 202610, 11, 12, 21 +
Black bearMuzzleloadereither sexOTCSep 12, 2026Sep 20, 202612, 21, 22, 23 +
Black bearRifleeither sexLimited drawOct 14, 2026Nov 22, 202610, 11, 211
Black bearRifleeither sexOTCOct 14, 2026Nov 22, 202612, 21, 22, 23 +
Mountain lionAll methods–Group harvest limitNov 23, 2026Mar 31, 202710, 11, 21, 22 +
Wild turkeySpring–Limited drawApr 11, 2026May 31, 202621, 23
Wild turkeySpring–OTCApr 11, 2026May 31, 202610, 11, 12, 22 +
Wild turkeyFall–OTCSep 1, 2026Oct 4, 202610, 11, 12, 22 +

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.

Mapped neighbours of BLM White River Field Office

Coal Ridge STL sits 18 miles north of the BLM White River Field Office point. Nearby public places include 4 trust land parcels and 2 SWAs.

AreaKindAcresCountyMiles offDirection
Coal Ridge STLState trust land640Moffat18 milesnorth
Middle Wolf Creek STLState trust land640Moffat18 milesnorth
Piceance SWASWA25,193Rio Blanco19 mileseast
Pinon Ridge STLState trust land640Moffat19 milesnortheast
Rio Blanco Lake SWASWA383Rio Blanco21 mileseast
Skull Creek STLState trust land639Moffat21 milesnorth

Point: CPW Hunting Atlas Land Management (COMaP) BLM polygons inside the BLM administrative unit boundary (polygon centroid of the largest part). Straight-line distances. Closed places from lands.json closed rows. Statewide public land map.

BLM White River Field Office: nearby towns, shops and the CPW office

Measured in a straight line, Rangely is 14 miles from BLM White River Field Office. For a full-size grocery run, Rifle (10,663 people) is the pick. You can reach the Meeker CPW office in about 32 miles of straight line.

TownCounty2024 populationAwayWhich way
RangelyRio Blanco2,28914 milesnorthwest
DinosaurMoffat24730 milesnorthwest
MeekerRio Blanco2,39036 mileseast
MaybellMoffat–45 milesnortheast
RifleGarfield10,66352 milessoutheast
CPW Meeker Office

CPW office · Meeker, Rio Blanco County · about 32 mi away

(970) 878-6090Route by mapOpen website
The Huntin Place

guide or outfitter · Rangely, Rio Blanco County · about 14 mi away

(970) 675-2039Route by map
Wildlife Expressions Taxidermy

taxidermy · Rangely, Rio Blanco County · about 15 mi away

(970) 629-3128Route by map
H & H Processing

meat processing · Meeker, Rio Blanco County · about 28 mi away

(970) 878-5151Route by map
Headhunter Bow Strings

sporting goods · Meeker, Rio Blanco County · about 34 mi away

(970) 878-4277Route by mapOpen website
Wyatt's Sports Center

sporting goods · Meeker, Rio Blanco County · about 34 mi away

(970) 878-4428Route by map

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.

BLM White River Field Office: when the legal day starts and ends

Big game light near BLM White River Field Office starts 30 minutes before sunrise and ends 30 minutes after sunset; turkeys, small game and ducks end at sunset.

DayMarkerSun upSun downElk and deerTurkey and ducks
Aug 15, 2026Pronghorn bow opener6:24 a.m.8:12 p.m.5:54 a.m. to 8:42 p.m.5:54 a.m. to 8:12 p.m.
Sep 2, 2026Archery opener6:41 a.m.7:45 p.m.6:11 a.m. to 8:15 p.m.6:11 a.m. to 7:45 p.m.
Sep 12, 2026Muzzleloader opens6:50 a.m.7:29 p.m.6:20 a.m. to 7:59 p.m.6:20 a.m. to 7:29 p.m.
Oct 3, 2026Duck season opens7:10 a.m.6:54 p.m.6:40 a.m. to 7:24 p.m.6:40 a.m. to 6:54 p.m.
Oct 24, 2026Second rifle opens7:32 a.m.6:22 p.m.7:02 a.m. to 6:52 p.m.7:02 a.m. to 6:22 p.m.
Nov 23, 2026Lion season opens7:07 a.m.4:53 p.m.6:37 a.m. to 5:23 p.m.6:37 a.m. to 4:53 p.m.
Dec 21, 2026Shortest day7:31 a.m.4:51 p.m.7:01 a.m. to 5:21 p.m.7:01 a.m. to 4:51 p.m.

The light goose conservation order runs to half an hour after sunset.

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.

Landscape and game around BLM White River Field Office

White-tailed deer buck in the trees
White-tailed deer buck in the trees
White-tailed deer moving through autumn woods
White-tailed deer moving through autumn woods
White-tailed deer buck
White-tailed deer buck

Public and private ranges before BLM White River Field Office

Mesa County holds the CPW-listed range nearest BLM White River Field Office: Cameo Shooting and Education Complex (59 miles).

Cameo Shooting and Education
Complex
CPW range

Palisade, Mesa County · 59 mi

Handles: rifle, handgun, sporting clays, 5-stand, shotgun

Open to the public · cpw.state.co.us, checked Nov 4, 2026

From the CPW Shooting Range Finder, ranges’ own pages and directory listings, checked November 5, 2026.

Same kind of ground near BLM White River Field Office

BLM field office

BLM Grand Junction Field Office

1,000,000 acres, 47 mi

BLM field office

BLM Little Snake Field Office

1,300,000 acres, 55 mi

BLM field office

BLM Colorado River Valley Field Office

567,000 acres, 94 mi

BLM field office

BLM Uncompahgre Field Office

680,000 acres, 115 mi

BLM landState wildlife areasState parks

BLM White River Field Office: questions hunters ask

What does it take to hunt BLM White River Field Office legally?

No extra permit; buy the Colorado license for the GMU and season.

What acreage does the record give for BLM White River Field Office?

All told it takes in 1,000,000 acres.

Which county sheriff and county roads serve BLM White River Field Office?

GIS puts it in Rio Blanco County, Moffat County and Garfield County.

What hunt code unit applies to BLM White River Field Office?

It overlaps GMU 10, GMU 11, GMU 12, GMU 21, GMU 22, GMU 23, GMU 24, GMU 30 and 4 more.

What animals may be hunted on BLM White River Field Office?

State seasons decide; the manager does not publish a game list.

Is elk on BLM White River Field Office draw only?

Yes, for part of the elk calendar: 4 rows, including archery (OTC, residents). Leftover licenses went on sale August 4.

Which special elk rules cover BLM White River Field Office?

Free mandatory CWD tests apply to some rifle elk codes in GMU 10, GMU 11, GMU 12, GMU 21, GMU 22 and 7 more. GMU 11, GMU 12, GMU 21, GMU 22, GMU 23 and 6 more carry the elk antler point restriction.

Where do I buy gas and ice near BLM White River Field Office?

Rangely is 14 miles from the record point.

Where do I report trouble on BLM White River Field Office?

CPW Meeker Office in Meeker, (970) 878-6090 (32 miles away); CPW offices close on state holidays.

Must I wear blaze orange or pink on BLM White River Field Office?

Yes for firearm big game: 500 square inches of fluorescent orange or pink on the upper body and a matching head covering. Camo orange does not count.

Can deer or elk be baited on BLM White River Field Office?

No. Deer and elk may not be hunted over bait; migratory bird hunters also follow the federal 10-day baited-area rule.

When does big game light begin and end on BLM White River Field Office?

Big game 6:18 a.m. to 5:35 p.m. on November 7, 2026 at the Rio Blanco County centre; turkey, small game and ducks stop at sunset.

Which agency page should I check for BLM White River Field Office?

The Bureau of Land Management, Northwest District Office page has the current rules.

Wrap-up for BLM White River Field Office

Property rules, closures and reservation needs on BLM White River Field Office can change mid-season; posted signs and the agency page have the last word.

Colorado hunting land mapAll public landRio Blanco CountyBLM landManaging agency site

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/Southeast (CC BY 2.0); NPS Photo (Public domain); ShenandoahNPS (Public domain).