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SWA · CPW-managed ground
Hunt Leaps Gulch State Wildlife Area: units, rules and dates
State wildlife area in Gunnison County, 560 acres listed.
Photo: Sean Bartell (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Getting to Leaps Gulch State Wildlife Area
Parking, trailheads and gates near Leaps Gulch State Wildlife Area
- Parking areaParking · 2.3 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.4 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.4 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.4 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.4 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.4 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.4 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.4 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.4 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.4 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.5 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.5 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.
Leaps Gulch SWA: size, game and management
Acreage on record for Leaps Gulch SWA: 560, from the CPW SWA page. In a size ranking of 224 state wildlife areas, Leaps Gulch SWA lands at 136th. Gunnison County holds 13 state wildlife areas in this guide, Leaps Gulch SWA among them. CPW manages it within Area 16 of the Southwest Region, in the Gunnison NE/Crested Butte district. Brochure hunting entry: deer, elk, dusky grouse. Visitors also come for hiking, wildlife viewing. Camping: not shown as available on the CPW page.
Game named for this ground: Deer, Elk, Dusky grouse.
From the agency page, 2026 Recreation Lands brochure, p. 18 (Colorado Parks and Wildlife); retrieved 2026-11-04, checked November 5, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Leaps Gulch State Wildlife Area
Leaps Gulch SWA: units, rules and 2024 harvest
Hunt codes for Leaps Gulch SWA follow its 1 unit: GMU 55.
The elk antler point rule covers GMU 55 here. Lion group: 10. Trappers note: GMU 55 are in the lynx area.
Unit-wide 2024 results, all manners of take; top line: GMU 55, 459 deer.
| GMU | Game | Animals taken | Hunters | Success |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GMU 55 | Elk | 397 | 2,755 | 14% |
| GMU 55 | Deer | 459 | 695 | 66% |
| GMU 55 | Pronghorn | 0 | 2 | 0% |
| GMU 55 | Black bear | 16 | – | – |
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.
Leaps Gulch SWA entry and conduct rules
No license, no entry: on Leaps Gulch SWA 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.
From the agency source, CPW SWA finder; checked November 5, 2026.
Licenses and dates for Leaps Gulch SWA
21 rows below cover elk, deer, pronghorn, moose, bear, lion and turkey where valid. The units of Leaps Gulch SWA have no OTC big game licenses. 1 rows limited to private land are excluded. Big game the property does not list (16 rows) stays off the table.
| Quarry | Weapon | Sex | License | Begins | Ends | Units |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elk | Archery | either sex | Limited draw | Sep 2, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 | 55 |
| Elk | Muzzleloader | bull | Limited draw | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | 55 |
| Elk | Muzzleloader | cow | Limited draw | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | 55 |
| Elk | Rifle | bull | Limited draw | Oct 14, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | 55 |
| Elk | Rifle | cow | Limited draw | Oct 14, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | 55 |
| Elk | Rifle | bull | Limited draw | Oct 24, 2026 | Nov 1, 2026 | 55 |
| Elk | Rifle | cow | Limited draw | Oct 24, 2026 | Nov 1, 2026 | 55 |
| Elk | Rifle | bull | Limited draw | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 15, 2026 | 55 |
| Elk | Rifle | cow | Limited draw | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 15, 2026 | 55 |
| Elk | Rifle | bull | Limited draw | Nov 18, 2026 | Nov 22, 2026 | 55 |
| Elk | Rifle | cow | Limited draw | Nov 18, 2026 | Nov 22, 2026 | 55 |
| Deer | Archery | buck | Limited draw | Sep 2, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 | 55 |
| Deer | Archery | doe | Limited draw | Sep 2, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 | 55 |
| Deer | Muzzleloader | buck | Limited draw | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | 55 |
| Deer | Muzzleloader | doe | Limited draw | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | 55 |
| Deer | Rifle | doe | Limited draw | Oct 14, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | 55 |
| Deer | Rifle | buck | Limited draw | Oct 24, 2026 | Nov 1, 2026 | 55 |
| Deer | Rifle | doe | Limited draw | Oct 24, 2026 | Nov 1, 2026 | 55 |
| Deer | Rifle | buck | Limited draw | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 15, 2026 | 55 |
| Deer | Rifle | doe | Limited draw | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 15, 2026 | 55 |
| Deer | Rifle | buck | Limited draw | Nov 18, 2026 | Nov 22, 2026 | 55 |
Bird and small game dates
| Species | Season | Applies in | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.
Leaps Gulch SWA: next-nearest hunting ground
Nearest neighbour on the map: Van Tuyl SWA (Cabin Creek & Lost Canyon Units), 2 miles southeast. The neighbour mix: 6 SWAs. Do not mistake these places for open ground: Taylor River State Wildlife Area (CPW lists no hunting) and Waunita Watchable Wildlife Area (CPW lists no hunting).
| Nearby | Type | Acres | County | Miles | Heading |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Van Tuyl SWA (Cabin Creek & Lost Canyon Units) | SWA | 510 | Gunnison | 2 miles | southeast |
| Cabin Creek SWA | SWA | 640 | Gunnison | 4 miles | southeast |
| Almont Triangle SWA | SWA | 643 | Gunnison | 5 miles | north |
| Tomichi Creek SWA | SWA | 465 | Gunnison | 8 miles | southwest |
| Gunnison River SWA (Van Tuyl & Redden) | SWA | 81 | Gunnison | 9 miles | southwest |
| Chance Gulch SWA | SWA | 645 | Gunnison | 10 miles | south |
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.
Where Leaps Gulch SWA is and how to get in
How CPW says to get there: From Gunnison go N on Highway 135 to CR 10. Go E on paved road to where USFS Road 743 begins. Go E on USFS 743 for 8.2 miles to 743.4b. Go N on 743.4b and USFS 606 about 3 miles to property boundary.
The record point for Leaps Gulch SWA is 38.6394, -106.8123, the centre of the mapped parcel.
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.
Leaps Gulch SWA sunrise, sunset and shooting times
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 | 6:22 a.m. | 8:05 p.m. | 5:52 a.m. to 8:35 p.m. | 5:52 a.m. to 8:05 p.m. |
| Sep 2, 2026 | Archery opener | 6:37 a.m. | 7:39 p.m. | 6:07 a.m. to 8:09 p.m. | 6:07 a.m. to 7:39 p.m. |
| Sep 12, 2026 | Muzzleloader opens | 6:46 a.m. | 7:23 p.m. | 6:16 a.m. to 7:53 p.m. | 6:16 a.m. to 7:23 p.m. |
| Oct 3, 2026 | Duck season opens | 7:05 a.m. | 6:50 p.m. | 6:35 a.m. to 7:20 p.m. | 6:35 a.m. to 6:50 p.m. |
| Oct 24, 2026 | Second rifle opens | 7:25 a.m. | 6:19 p.m. | 6:55 a.m. to 6:49 p.m. | 6:55 a.m. to 6:19 p.m. |
| Nov 23, 2026 | Lion season opens | 6:59 a.m. | 4:51 p.m. | 6:29 a.m. to 5:21 p.m. | 6:29 a.m. to 4:51 p.m. |
| Dec 21, 2026 | Shortest day | 7:22 a.m. | 4:50 p.m. | 6:52 a.m. to 5:20 p.m. | 6:52 a.m. to 4:50 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 Leaps Gulch SWA
Gunnison is the closest town on this site to Leaps Gulch SWA, 9 miles as the crow flies. CPW staff closest to Leaps Gulch SWA work from Gunnison (9 miles).
| Town | County | Pop. 2024 | Miles off | Bearing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gunnison | Gunnison | 6,821 | 9 miles | southwest |
| Aspen | Pitkin | 6,556 | 38 miles | north |
| Cathedral | Hinsdale | – | 40 miles | south |
| Salida | Chaffee | 6,007 | 45 miles | east |
| Paonia | Delta | 1,464 | 45 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.
Leaps Gulch State Wildlife Area on the event calendar
About 10 straight-line miles from here there is 1 listing ahead.
| Date | Event | Mi | Where | Sign up | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 7, 2027 | RMEF World Record Chapter Big Game Banquet · RMEF banquet in Gunnison | 9 | Gunnison, Gunnison County | Buy tickets | Source |
Pictures for planning a Leaps Gulch SWA hunt
Public and private ranges before Leaps Gulch State Wildlife Area
Chaffee County holds the CPW-listed range nearest Leaps Gulch State Wildlife Area: Chaffee County Shooting Range (39 miles). 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.
Leaps Gulch SWA FAQ from the agency sources
Can I set out bait, salt or grain on Leaps Gulch SWA?
No bait for big game, turkey, small game or birds; normal agricultural salt and mineral blocks are the only exception for big game.
From what time can I take a shot on Leaps Gulch SWA?
On November 7, 2026, roughly 6:11 a.m. to 5:33 p.m. for big game in Gunnison County; bird and small game hours end at sunset.
Can I spend the night on Leaps Gulch SWA?
CPW does not list camping.
Who publishes the rules for Leaps Gulch SWA?
Colorado Parks and Wildlife, on its website.
Do I need anything beyond a hunting license for Leaps Gulch SWA?
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 Leaps Gulch SWA?
560 acres, by the CPW SWA page.
Which county sheriff and county roads serve Leaps Gulch SWA?
GIS puts it in Gunnison County.
What are the GMU numbers for Leaps Gulch SWA?
Units on the map for this ground: GMU 55.
What species are listed for Leaps Gulch SWA?
Listed game here: deer, elk and dusky grouse.
Are OTC elk licenses valid on Leaps Gulch SWA?
Yes. You need a drawn or leftover license; none of the 11 elk rows is over the counter.
Do I need to test an elk from Leaps Gulch SWA for CWD?
CWD testing is voluntary here ($25), since no unit is on the mandatory elk list. Count antler points before shooting a bull in GMU 55.
Where should I stay when hunting Leaps Gulch SWA?
Gunnison is your nearest base, 9 miles off.
Which office should I call before visiting Leaps Gulch SWA?
Try CPW Gunnison Office in Gunnison, (970) 641-7060 (9 miles away).
Is pink allowed instead of orange on Leaps Gulch SWA?
Fluorescent pink counts the same as orange; firearm big game hunters wear 500 square inches plus a hat.
One last look at Leaps Gulch SWA
Sign and attach your carcass tag right after the kill, and keep your license and hunter education card with you on Leaps Gulch SWA.
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: lostinfog (CC BY-SA 2.0); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Public Domain Mark 1.0); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Public Domain Mark 1.0).