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Ranger district · 2026-27 seasons
Hahns Peak-Bears Ears Ranger District, Routt NF hunting, unit by unit
National forest ranger district in Routt County and 3 more counties (477,199 acres).
Photo: TomKonrad (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Getting to Hahns Peak-Bears Ears Ranger District, Routt NF
Entry requirements for Hahns Peak-Bears Ears Ranger District
On Hahns Peak-Bears Ears Ranger District, CPW sets seasons and sells licenses while USFS manages habitat and roads. Federal rule 36 CFR 261.10(d) bars firing a gun within 150 yards of a residence, building, campsite, developed site or occupied area, and across or on a forest road or a body of water. Road and trail access for vehicles is set by the Motor Vehicle Use Map.
Forest Service wording: A license is required to hunt in both Colorado and Wyoming. Licenses may be purchased from state game departments and some local retailers. For more information on hunting licenses, game units, and seasons, visit Colorado Parks & Wildlife or Wyoming Game & Fish .
Secluded mountain lakes and streams await anglers. Many different species of trout are present and provide numerous opportunities for fishing. Fishing permit information can be found on the Colorado Parks and Wildlife and Wyoming Game & Fish websites.
Recreational target shooting is an appropriate use of the forest, when done safely and with respect to the land and forest property.
The forests contain a variety of game ranges and habitat. Big game on the forests include elk, moose, mule deer, white-tailed deer, pronghorn antelope, bighorn sheep, and black bear. Many hunters use our trails systems to reach their favorite spots. Visit our Hiking page to view trails. Additionally, our Camping & Cabins page provides useful lodging information.
From the agency source; checked November 5, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Hahns Peak-Bears Ears Ranger District, Routt NF
What the agency says about Hahns Peak-Bears Ears Ranger District
Going by the USFS EDW Lands Area Statistics, Hahns Peak-Bears Ears Ranger District covers 477,199 acres. 32 ranger districts appear on this site, and by acres Hahns Peak-Bears Ears Ranger District comes 9th. Within Routt County there are 3 ranger districts on file.
The listed quarry: Elk, Deer, Pronghorn, Moose, Bighorn sheep, Black bear.
From the agency page (USDA Forest Service); retrieved 2026-11-04, checked November 5, 2026.
Open seasons by unit on Hahns Peak-Bears Ears Ranger District
In all, 48 public-land season rows apply in these GMUs. OTC options in these units: black bear and elk. Private-land-only and ranch rows (78) are not shown. 5 unit rows for unlisted game are omitted.
| Game | Method | Sex | Sale | Opens | Closes | GMUs here |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elk | Archery | cow | Limited, nonresident | Sep 2, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 | 16 |
| Elk | Archery | cow | OTC, residents | Sep 2, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 | 16 |
| Elk | Archery | either sex | Limited draw | Sep 2, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 | 4, 5, 441 |
| Elk | Archery | either sex | Limited, nonresident | Sep 2, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 | 14, 15, 16, 27 + |
| Elk | Archery | either sex | OTC, residents | Sep 2, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 | 14, 15, 16, 27 + |
| Elk | Muzzleloader | cow | Limited draw | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | 4, 5, 14, 15 + |
| Elk | Muzzleloader | either sex | Limited draw | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | 4, 5, 14, 15 + |
| Elk | Rifle | bull | Limited draw | Oct 14, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | 14, 214 |
| Elk | Rifle | cow | Limited draw | Oct 14, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | 4, 5, 14, 15 + |
| Elk | Rifle | either sex | Limited draw | Oct 14, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | 4, 5, 15, 16 + |
| Elk | Rifle | cow | Limited draw | Oct 24, 2026 | Nov 1, 2026 | 4, 5, 14, 15 + |
| Elk | Second rifle | bull | OTC | Oct 24, 2026 | Nov 1, 2026 | 4, 5, 14, 15 + |
| Elk | Rifle | cow | Limited draw | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 15, 2026 | 4, 5, 14, 15 + |
| Elk | Third rifle | bull | OTC | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 15, 2026 | 4, 5, 14, 15 + |
| Elk | Rifle | bull | Limited draw | Nov 18, 2026 | Nov 22, 2026 | 4, 5, 14, 214 + |
| Elk | Rifle | cow | Limited draw | Nov 18, 2026 | Nov 22, 2026 | 4, 5, 14, 15 + |
| Elk | Rifle | either sex | Limited draw | Nov 18, 2026 | Nov 22, 2026 | 4, 5, 15, 16 + |
| Elk | Rifle | cow | Limited, late | Nov 28, 2026 | Dec 6, 2026 | 27 |
| Deer | Archery | either sex | Limited draw | Sep 2, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 | 4, 5, 14, 15 + |
| Deer | Rifle | buck | Limited, early | Sep 5, 2026 | Sep 13, 2026 | 14, 16 |
| Deer | Muzzleloader | buck | Limited draw | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | 4, 5, 14, 15 + |
| Deer | Muzzleloader | doe | Limited draw | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | 4, 5, 14, 15 + |
| Deer | Rifle | buck | Limited, early | Oct 1, 2026 | Oct 7, 2026 | 16 |
| Deer | Rifle | doe | Limited, early | Oct 1, 2026 | Oct 7, 2026 | 16 |
| Deer | Rifle | buck | Limited draw | Oct 14, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | 16 |
| Deer | Rifle | buck | Limited draw | Oct 24, 2026 | Nov 1, 2026 | 4, 5, 14, 15 + |
| Deer | Rifle | doe | Limited draw | Oct 24, 2026 | Nov 1, 2026 | 4, 5, 14, 15 + |
| Deer | Rifle | buck | Limited draw | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 15, 2026 | 4, 5, 14, 15 + |
| Deer | Rifle | doe | Limited draw | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 15, 2026 | 4, 5, 14, 15 + |
| Deer | Rifle | buck | Limited draw | Nov 18, 2026 | Nov 22, 2026 | 4, 5, 14, 15 + |
| Deer | Rifle | doe | Limited, split | Nov 18, 2026 | Nov 22, 2026 | 4 |
| Pronghorn | Archery | buck | Limited draw | Aug 15, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | 4, 5, 16, 27 + |
| Pronghorn | Archery | doe | Limited draw | Sep 1, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | 16, 27 |
| Pronghorn | Muzzleloader | buck | Limited draw | Sep 21, 2026 | Sep 29, 2026 | 4, 5, 15, 16 + |
| Pronghorn | Muzzleloader | doe | Limited draw | Sep 21, 2026 | Sep 29, 2026 | 15, 16, 27 |
| Pronghorn | Rifle | buck | Limited draw | Oct 3, 2026 | Oct 11, 2026 | 4, 5, 15, 16 + |
| Pronghorn | Rifle | doe | Limited draw | Oct 3, 2026 | Oct 11, 2026 | 15, 16, 27 |
| Moose | Archery | cow | Limited draw | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 | 4, 14, 15, 16 + |
| Moose | Muzzleloader | cow | Limited draw | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | 4, 14, 15, 16 + |
| Moose | Rifle | cow | Limited draw | Oct 1, 2026 | Oct 14, 2026 | 4, 14, 15, 16 + |
| Moose | Season choice | bull | Limited draw | Oct 1, 2026 | Oct 14, 2026 | 4, 5, 14, 16 |
| Moose | Rifle | cow | Limited, late | Oct 14, 2026 | Nov 22, 2026 | 15, 16, 27 |
| Black bear | Archery | either sex | Limited draw | Sep 2, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 | 4, 5, 14, 15 + |
| Black bear | Archery | either sex | OTC | Sep 2, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 | 4, 5, 14, 15 + |
| Black bear | Rifle | either sex | Limited draw | Sep 2, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 | 4, 5, 14, 15 + |
| Black bear | Muzzleloader | either sex | Limited draw | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | 4, 5, 14, 15 + |
| Black bear | Muzzleloader | either sex | OTC | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | 4, 5, 14, 15 + |
| Black bear | Rifle | either sex | OTC | Oct 14, 2026 | Nov 22, 2026 | 4, 5, 14, 15 + |
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.
Which units cover Hahns Peak-Bears Ears Ranger District
The CPW unit layer puts Hahns Peak-Bears Ears Ranger District in 8 GMUs: GMU 4, GMU 5, GMU 14, GMU 15, GMU 16, GMU 27, GMU 214, GMU 441.
In GMU 4, GMU 5, GMU 14, GMU 15, GMU 16, GMU 27 and 2 more a legal bull elk must meet the antler point rule. If your rifle elk hunt code is on the CWD list, elk taken in GMU 4, GMU 5, GMU 14, GMU 15, GMU 16, GMU 27 and 2 more must be tested (free). Lion hunters check the quota for group 2 and 3 before going out.
| GMU | Counties | Flags |
|---|---|---|
| GMU 4 | Moffat, Routt | elk antler point rule, elk CWD testing, lion group 2 |
| GMU 5 | Routt, Moffat | elk antler point rule, elk CWD testing, lion group 2 |
| GMU 14 | Routt, Grand | elk antler point rule, elk CWD testing, lion group 2 |
| GMU 15 | Routt, Grand, Eagle | elk antler point rule, elk CWD testing, lion group 3 |
| GMU 16 | Jackson | elk antler point rule, elk CWD testing, lion group 3 |
| GMU 27 | Grand, Routt, Jackson | elk antler point rule, elk CWD testing, lion group 3 |
| GMU 214 | Routt | elk antler point rule, elk CWD testing, lion group 2 |
| GMU 441 | Routt, Moffat | elk antler point rule, elk CWD testing, lion group 2 |
Read these as whole-unit numbers: the biggest 2024 total among them was 502 deer in GMU 15.
| Unit | Animal | Harvest | Hunters | Success |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GMU 4 | Elk | 379 | 1,541 | 25% |
| GMU 4 | Deer | 384 | 678 | 57% |
| GMU 4 | Pronghorn | 47 | 55 | 85% |
| GMU 4 | Black bear | 10 | – | – |
| GMU 5 | Elk | 316 | 874 | 36% |
| GMU 5 | Deer | 129 | 275 | 47% |
| GMU 5 | Pronghorn | 24 | 26 | 92% |
| GMU 5 | Black bear | 14 | – | – |
| GMU 14 | Elk | 151 | 1,293 | 12% |
| GMU 14 | Deer | 34 | 172 | 20% |
| GMU 14 | Pronghorn | 0 | 8 | 0% |
| GMU 14 | Black bear | 32 | – | – |
| GMU 15 | Elk | 407 | 3,738 | 11% |
| GMU 15 | Deer | 502 | 1,460 | 34% |
| GMU 15 | Pronghorn | 7 | 14 | 50% |
| GMU 15 | Black bear | 26 | – | – |
| GMU 16 | Elk | 284 | 1,839 | 15% |
| GMU 16 | Deer | 22 | 153 | 14% |
| GMU 16 | Pronghorn | 26 | 54 | 49% |
| GMU 16 | Black bear | 7 | – | – |
| GMU 27 | Elk | 113 | 1,523 | 7% |
| GMU 27 | Deer | 53 | 223 | 24% |
| GMU 27 | Pronghorn | 31 | 142 | 22% |
| GMU 27 | Black bear | 1 | – | – |
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.
Hahns Peak-Bears Ears Ranger District acres by county and forest
It is one district of Routt National Forest.
| County | Forest acres |
|---|---|
| Routt County | 427,371 |
| Moffat County | 37,930 |
| Jackson County | 6,299 |
| Grand County | 5,599 |
From the agency source, USFS EDW Lands Area Statistics; checked November 5, 2026.
Directions and maps for Hahns Peak-Bears Ears Ranger District
Its map point, 40.6510, -106.7777, comes from the boundary layer.
point from CPW Hunting Atlas Land Management (COMaP) Forest Service polygons inside the USFS EDW Ranger Districts boundary (point inside polygon (centroid falls outside) of the largest part); checked November 5, 2026.
Towns and outfitters within reach of Hahns Peak-Bears Ears Ranger District
Count on Steamboat Springs, about 12 miles out, as the first town for supplies. The nearest CPW office is in Steamboat Springs, 14 miles away.
| Community | County | Residents | Straight line | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steamboat Springs | Routt | 13,620 | 12 miles | south |
| Walden | Jackson | 557 | 27 miles | east |
| Yampa | Routt | 390 | 35 miles | south |
| Craig | Moffat | 8,903 | 42 miles | west |
| Kremmling | Grand | 1,436 | 46 miles | southeast |
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.
Public places a short drive from Hahns Peak-Bears Ears Ranger District
The closest other public ground is Moonhill STL, 8 miles to the west. Within the six nearest places are 4 trust land parcels and 2 state parks. Closed to hunting nearby: Christina State Wildlife Area (Fishing Easement: Elk River) (CPW lists no hunting), Steamboat Springs State Wildlife Area (Fishing Easement) (CPW lists no hunting) and Mount Werner State Wildlife Area (Fishing Easement) (CPW lists no hunting).
| Name | Kind | Size (ac) | County | Away | Bearing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moonhill STL | State trust land | 640 | Routt | 8 miles | west |
| Fly Gulch STL | State trust land | 460 | Routt | 10 miles | southwest |
| Pearl Lake State Park | State park | 134 | Routt | 11 miles | northwest |
| Red Canyon STL | State trust land | 640 | Jackson | 12 miles | east |
| Sleeping Giant STL | State trust land | 400 | Routt | 13 miles | southwest |
| Steamboat Lake State Park | State park | 1,809 | Routt | 14 miles | northwest |
Point: CPW Hunting Atlas Land Management (COMaP) Forest Service polygons inside the USFS EDW Ranger Districts boundary (point inside polygon (centroid falls outside) of the largest part). Straight-line distances. Closed places from lands.json closed rows. Statewide public land map.
A look at the country near Hahns Peak-Bears Ears Ranger District
Clock times for hunting Hahns Peak-Bears Ears Ranger District
In Hahns Peak-Bears Ears Ranger District, the light goose conservation order and furbearer hunting both run to half an hour after sunset.
| Date | Why it matters | Sunrise | Sunset | Big game hours | Bird hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 15, 2026 | Pronghorn bow opener | 6:18 a.m. | 8:08 p.m. | 5:48 a.m. to 8:38 p.m. | 5:48 a.m. to 8:08 p.m. |
| Sep 2, 2026 | Archery opener | 6:35 a.m. | 7:41 p.m. | 6:05 a.m. to 8:11 p.m. | 6:05 a.m. to 7:41 p.m. |
| Sep 12, 2026 | Muzzleloader opens | 6:45 a.m. | 7:24 p.m. | 6:15 a.m. to 7:54 p.m. | 6:15 a.m. to 7:24 p.m. |
| Oct 3, 2026 | Duck season opens | 7:05 a.m. | 6:49 p.m. | 6:35 a.m. to 7:19 p.m. | 6:35 a.m. to 6:49 p.m. |
| Oct 24, 2026 | Second rifle opens | 7:27 a.m. | 6:17 p.m. | 6:57 a.m. to 6:47 p.m. | 6:57 a.m. to 6:17 p.m. |
| Nov 23, 2026 | Lion season opens | 7:03 a.m. | 4:46 p.m. | 6:33 a.m. to 5:16 p.m. | 6:33 a.m. to 4:46 p.m. |
| Dec 21, 2026 | Shortest day | 7:27 a.m. | 4:44 p.m. | 6:57 a.m. to 5:14 p.m. | 6:57 a.m. to 4:44 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.
Hahns Peak-Bears Ears Ranger District (Routt National Forest) hunters: public range plus clubs
The closest CPW-listed range to Hahns Peak-Bears Ears Ranger District (Routt National Forest) is Hayden Shooting Range, roughly 27 miles off as the crow flies. After the public range come the nearest clubs within 30 miles.
From the CPW Shooting Range Finder, ranges’ own pages and directory listings, checked November 5, 2026.
Questions about Hahns Peak-Bears Ears Ranger District, answered
How much room is there to roam on Hahns Peak-Bears Ears Ranger District?
Listed size: 477,199 acres.
What license or pass gets me onto Hahns Peak-Bears Ears Ranger District?
No federal hunting permit: a Colorado license for the GMU, species and season is what you need.
Which GMUs does Hahns Peak-Bears Ears Ranger District overlap?
Units on the CPW layer: GMU 4, GMU 5, GMU 14, GMU 15, GMU 16, GMU 27, GMU 214 and GMU 441.
What counties does Hahns Peak-Bears Ears Ranger District reach into?
Inside Routt County, Moffat County, Jackson County and Grand County.
Do I need to draw for elk on Hahns Peak-Bears Ears Ranger District?
Buy over the counter for 4 rows (archery, OTC, residents is one); the other elk hunts need the April draw.
Which game does Hahns Peak-Bears Ears Ranger District hold?
Elk, deer, pronghorn, moose, bighorn sheep and black bear, by the agency list.
Which community sits nearest to Hahns Peak-Bears Ears Ranger District?
Steamboat Springs (12 miles).
CWD and antler rules for Hahns Peak-Bears Ears Ranger District?
The point restriction on bull elk covers GMU 4, GMU 5, GMU 14, GMU 15, GMU 16 and 3 more. Mandatory free CWD testing for selected rifle elk hunt codes in GMU 4, GMU 5, GMU 14, GMU 15, GMU 16 and 3 more.
What blaze orange rule applies on Hahns Peak-Bears Ears Ranger District?
With any firearm license for deer, elk, pronghorn, moose or bear: 500 square inches of solid orange or pink above the waist plus an orange or pink hat.
Who can answer a question about conditions on Hahns Peak-Bears Ears Ranger District?
Phone CPW Steamboat Springs Office in Steamboat Springs, (970) 870-3333 (14 miles away).
What clock times bound legal hunting on Hahns Peak-Bears Ears Ranger District?
Half an hour either side of the sun for big game, which on November 7, 2026 means 6:14 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. in Routt County.
What does the bait law mean on Hahns Peak-Bears Ears Ranger District?
You may not hunt big game over salt, minerals, grain, animal parts or other food, whether or not you placed it.
Where do I confirm the rules for Hahns Peak-Bears Ears Ranger District?
Check the agency page run by USDA Forest Service.
Plan the Hahns Peak-Bears Ears Ranger District trip
Use this page to plan, then reread the agency page for Hahns Peak-Bears Ears Ranger District the week before the trip.
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: ShenandoahNPS (Public domain); USFWS/Southeast (CC BY 2.0); YellowstoneNPS (Public domain).