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SWA · CPW-managed ground
Hunt Jim Olterman – Lone Cone State Wildlife Area: units, rules and dates
State wildlife area in Dolores County covering 5,030 acres.
Photo: Richard Hurd (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Jim Olterman – Lone Cone State Wildlife Area
Facts on file for Jim Olterman – Lone Cone SWA
By the count in the CPW SWA page, there are 5,030 acres at Jim Olterman – Lone Cone SWA. Of 224 state wildlife areas listed here, Jim Olterman – Lone Cone SWA ranks 34th for size. Hunters in Dolores County can choose from 5 state wildlife areas; this is one. Wildlife officers for Jim Olterman – Lone Cone SWA work out of Area 18, Southwest Region; district: Norwood. The CPW page sends questions to the Area CPW Office, Montrose office, 970-252-6000. The printed guide lists deer, elk, bear, dusky grouse, turkey for hunters on Jim Olterman – Lone Cone SWA. For a fishing break the brochure lists cold-water lake. Recreation listed besides hunting: wildlife viewing. CPW does not list camping among the amenities for Jim Olterman – Lone Cone SWA.
On the game list: Deer, Elk, Black bear, Dusky grouse, Wild turkey.
CPW lists these uses: Hunting, Nature Viewing.
From the agency page, 2026 Recreation Lands brochure, p. 17 (Colorado Parks and Wildlife); retrieved 2026-11-04, checked November 5, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Jim Olterman – Lone Cone State Wildlife Area
Jim Olterman – Lone Cone SWA game management units
Jim Olterman – Lone Cone SWA lies in 1 game management unit: GMU 70.
Point restriction for bulls: GMU 70. Selected rifle elk hunt codes in GMU 70 require a free CWD test of harvested elk. Mountain lion harvest-limit group 12 covers these units. GMU 70: lynx recovery area.
The 2024 GMU harvest tables below are unit totals, not counts for Jim Olterman – Lone Cone SWA; GMU 70 had the largest figure, 1,275 elk.
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.
Before you walk onto Jim Olterman – Lone Cone SWA
Bring a current Colorado hunting or fishing license, or the State Wildlife Area Pass, if you are 16 or over; that is the standing SWA entry rule. Drive only on roads open to motor vehicles and camp only where CPW authorizes it. Only portable stands or blinds may go up, no sooner than 30 days ahead of the season. Parking areas, campgrounds and picnic spots are no-shoot zones for guns and bows.
CPW restrictions, as lettered on the page:
- Snowmobiles prohibited.
- Camping allowed by licensed hunters during big game or spring turkey season, plus 3 days before and 3 days after each season.
From the agency source, CPW SWA finder; checked November 5, 2026.
Big game dates that apply on Jim Olterman – Lone Cone SWA
Big game hunters on Jim Olterman – Lone Cone SWA can choose from 21 dated windows, each tied to a hunt code. Over-the-counter rows (7) cover black bear, elk and wild turkey; the rest need a drawn or leftover license. 9 private-land-only, Ranching for Wildlife or game damage rows for the same units are left out because they do not apply on public ground. Only the listed species are kept; 1 other big game rows are dropped. Spring turkey dates shown are from 2026; the 2027 brochure is not out.
| Animal | Method | Sex | License | Start | End | Valid in |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elk | Archery | bull | Limited draw | Sep 2, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 | 70 |
| Elk | Archery | cow | Limited draw | Sep 2, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 | 70 |
| Elk | Muzzleloader | bull | Limited draw | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | 70 |
| Elk | Muzzleloader | cow | Limited draw | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | 70 |
| Elk | Rifle | bull | Limited draw | Oct 14, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | 70 |
| Elk | Second rifle | bull | OTC | Oct 24, 2026 | Nov 1, 2026 | 70 |
| Elk | Third rifle | bull | OTC | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 15, 2026 | 70 |
| Deer | Archery | buck | Limited draw | Sep 2, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 | 70 |
| Deer | Muzzleloader | buck | Limited draw | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | 70 |
| Deer | Rifle | buck | Limited draw | Oct 14, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | 70 |
| Deer | Rifle | buck | Limited draw | Oct 24, 2026 | Nov 1, 2026 | 70 |
| Deer | Rifle | buck | Limited draw | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 15, 2026 | 70 |
| Deer | Rifle | buck | Limited draw | Nov 18, 2026 | Nov 22, 2026 | 70 |
| Black bear | Archery | either sex | Limited draw | Sep 2, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 | 70 |
| Black bear | Archery | either sex | OTC | Sep 2, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 | 70 |
| Black bear | Rifle | either sex | Limited draw | Sep 2, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 | 70 |
| Black bear | Muzzleloader | either sex | Limited draw | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | 70 |
| Black bear | Muzzleloader | either sex | OTC | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | 70 |
| Black bear | Rifle | either sex | OTC | Oct 14, 2026 | Nov 22, 2026 | 70 |
| Wild turkey | Spring | – | OTC | Apr 11, 2026 | May 31, 2026 | 70 |
| Wild turkey | Fall | – | OTC | Sep 1, 2026 | Oct 4, 2026 | 70 |
Birds and small game
| Species | Hunt | Zone | Begins | Ends |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dusky grouse | Season | West of I-25 | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 22, 2026 |
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.
What lies near Jim Olterman – Lone Cone SWA on the map
The list below starts with South Mountain STL, 6 miles away to the southwest. Six neighbours, by kind: 3 trust land parcels, 2 SWAs and 1 state park. Off limits to hunting close by: Groundhog Reservoir State Wildlife Area (CPW lists no hunting), Woods Lake State Wildlife Area (CPW lists no hunting) and San Miguel State Wildlife Area (Fishing Easement: Applebaugh) (CPW lists no hunting).
| Nearby | Type | Acres | County | Miles | Heading |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Mountain STL | State trust land | 640 | Dolores | 6 miles | southwest |
| Dan Noble SWA | SWA | 2,223 | San Miguel | 8 miles | north |
| Fish Creek SWA | SWA | 314 | Dolores | 9 miles | southeast |
| Lone Mesa State Park | State park | 11,780 | Dolores | 11 miles | southwest |
| Mckenna Peak STL | State trust land | 640 | San Miguel | 12 miles | west |
| Disappointment Creek STL | State trust land | 640 | Dolores | 14 miles | west |
Point: CPW Managed Properties (public access only) layer, CPWAdminData (1 polygon) (polygon centroid). Straight-line distances. Closed places from lands.json closed rows. Statewide public land map.
Jim Olterman – Lone Cone SWA route and map files
Getting there (CPW): From Norwood, go 1.5 miles E on Highway 145 to USFS Road 610, then go 24 miles S Access by foot or horseback only.
The pin sits at 37.8570, -108.3210.
Directions from the 2026 Colorado State Recreation Lands brochure; map files from the CPW property page; point from CPW Managed Properties (public access only) layer, CPWAdminData (1 polygon) (polygon centroid); checked November 5, 2026.
Clock times for hunting Jim Olterman – Lone Cone SWA
The sun rises about twenty minutes later at Grand Junction than at Burlington, so use the times worked out for Jim Olterman – Lone Cone SWA.
| Date | Season point | Sunrise | Sunset | Big game | Birds and small game |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 2, 2026 | Archery opener | 6:44 a.m. | 7:44 p.m. | 6:14 a.m. to 8:14 p.m. | 6:14 a.m. to 7:44 p.m. |
| Sep 12, 2026 | Muzzleloader opens | 6:52 a.m. | 7:29 p.m. | 6:22 a.m. to 7:59 p.m. | 6:22 a.m. to 7:29 p.m. |
| Oct 3, 2026 | Duck season opens | 7:10 a.m. | 6:56 p.m. | 6:40 a.m. to 7:26 p.m. | 6:40 a.m. to 6:56 p.m. |
| Oct 24, 2026 | Second rifle opens | 7:30 a.m. | 6:26 p.m. | 7:00 a.m. to 6:56 p.m. | 7:00 a.m. to 6:26 p.m. |
| Nov 23, 2026 | Lion season opens | 7:02 a.m. | 4:59 p.m. | 6:32 a.m. to 5:29 p.m. | 6:32 a.m. to 4:59 p.m. |
| Dec 21, 2026 | Shortest day | 7:25 a.m. | 4:58 p.m. | 6:55 a.m. to 5:28 p.m. | 6:55 a.m. to 4:58 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.
Where to fuel up and buy ice near Jim Olterman – Lone Cone SWA
Gas, groceries and a motel bed: Norwood is the nearest, 19 miles away. Telluride tops the list for size, 2,486 people. Closest CPW office: Montrose, 49 miles.
| Nearest towns | County | Population | Miles | Heading |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Norwood | San Miguel | 523 | 19 miles | north |
| Redvale | Montrose | – | 23 miles | north |
| Telluride | San Miguel | 2,486 | 28 miles | east |
| Dolores | Montezuma | 937 | 28 miles | south |
| Dove Creek | Dolores | 663 | 33 miles | west |
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.
Jim Olterman – Lone Cone SWA country in pictures
Jim Olterman – Lone Cone State Wildlife Area hunters: public range plus clubs
For a no-dues line, Jim Olterman – Lone Cone State Wildlife Area hunters head 55 miles to Bayfield Lions Club Shooting Range.
From the CPW Shooting Range Finder, ranges’ own pages and directory listings, checked November 5, 2026.
Jim Olterman – Lone Cone SWA FAQ from the agency sources
Is it legal to hunt over bait on Jim Olterman – Lone Cone SWA?
No. It is illegal to hunt big game, turkey, small game or migratory birds over bait in Colorado, whoever placed it.
Does the orange rule apply on Jim Olterman – Lone Cone SWA?
Required for firearm big game; mesh is legal, camouflage orange is not.
Can I pitch a tent on Jim Olterman – Lone Cone SWA during the hunt?
Not by the CPW page, which shows no camping.
How early may a rifle hunter shoot on Jim Olterman – Lone Cone SWA?
For deer and elk, 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 after sunset; around Dolores County on November 7, 2026 about 6:15 a.m. to 5:41 p.m.
What documents must I carry on Jim Olterman – Lone Cone SWA?
Entry rule: hunting license, fishing license or SWA Pass at 16 and over. Check the property restrictions for any exception.
Which official page should I bookmark for Jim Olterman – Lone Cone SWA?
Colorado Parks and Wildlife publishes it: official page.
Which county lines does Jim Olterman – Lone Cone SWA cross?
Dolores County; the county page lists the nearby ground.
How many acres are listed for Jim Olterman – Lone Cone SWA in the agency count?
5,030 acres on the agency count.
Which seasons matter on Jim Olterman – Lone Cone SWA?
Agency sources name deer, elk, black bear, dusky grouse and wild turkey.
Which unit should my license be for on Jim Olterman – Lone Cone SWA?
GMU 70; GMU lines follow roads and ridges, so check the map near a line.
Are there antler point restrictions on Jim Olterman – Lone Cone SWA?
Bulls must meet the antler point rule in GMU 70. If your rifle elk code is selected, test the elk (free) when it comes from GMU 70.
Can I buy an elk license over the counter for Jim Olterman – Lone Cone SWA?
Only for some hunts. 2 OTC elk rows reach these GMUs, second rifle among them (OTC).
Who looks after wildlife on Jim Olterman – Lone Cone SWA?
Reach Area CPW Office in Montrose, 970-252-6000.
Where should I stay when hunting Jim Olterman – Lone Cone SWA?
Norwood is your nearest base, 19 miles off.
Jim Olterman – Lone Cone SWA: double-check list
Saw poaching on Jim Olterman – Lone Cone SWA? CPW's Turn In Poachers program rewards reports that lead to charges with licenses and preference points.
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: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Midwest Region (Public domain); Russ (CC BY 2.0); Adam Buzzo (CC BY 2.0).