Home › Colorado › Public land › Tilman Bishop SWA
SWA · 2026-27 seasons
Tilman Bishop State Wildlife Area hunting, unit by unit
State wildlife area in Mesa County covering 113 acres.
Photo: Andrey Zharkikh (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Tilman Bishop State Wildlife Area
Facts on file for Tilman Bishop SWA
By the count in the CPW SWA page, there are 113 acres at Tilman Bishop SWA. Of 224 state wildlife areas listed here, Tilman Bishop SWA ranks 198th for size. Hunters in Mesa County can choose from 8 state wildlife areas; this is one. Wildlife officers for Tilman Bishop SWA work out of Area 7, Northwest Region; district: Palisade. The CPW page sends questions to the Area CPW Office, Grand Junction office, 970-255-6100. CPW does not list camping among the amenities for Tilman Bishop SWA.
On the game list: Waterfowl, Big game.
From the agency page, 2026 Recreation Lands brochure, p. 27 (Colorado Parks and Wildlife); retrieved 2026-11-04, checked November 5, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Tilman Bishop State Wildlife Area
Tilman Bishop SWA game management units
Tilman Bishop SWA lies in 2 game management units: GMU 30, GMU 41.
Point restriction for bulls: GMU 30 and GMU 41. Selected rifle elk hunt codes in GMU 30 and GMU 41 require a free CWD test of harvested elk. Mountain lion harvest-limit groups 1 and 6 cover these units.
| GMU | In counties | Flags |
|---|---|---|
| GMU 30 | Mesa, Garfield | elk antler point rule, elk CWD testing, lion group 1 |
| GMU 41 | Mesa | elk antler point rule, elk CWD testing, lion group 6 |
The 2024 GMU harvest tables below are unit totals, not counts for Tilman Bishop SWA; GMU 41 had the largest figure, 348 elk.
| Unit | Animal | Harvest | Hunters | Success |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GMU 30 | Elk | 250 | 994 | 25% |
| GMU 30 | Deer | 129 | 218 | 59% |
| GMU 30 | Pronghorn | 14 | 14 | 100% |
| GMU 30 | Black bear | 8 | – | – |
| GMU 41 | Elk | 348 | 1,702 | 20% |
| GMU 41 | Deer | 288 | 579 | 50% |
| GMU 41 | Black bear | 9 | – | – |
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 Tilman Bishop 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:
- Public access prohibited March 15 to July 15.
- Walk-in access only.
- Hunting allowed with archery equipment and shotguns with shot-shells or by falconry only.
- Big-game and waterfowl hunting by reservation only. Reservations must be made through the Hunting Reservation System. See “Reservations: Hunting” (page 1) for details. Hunters must check in and out at property.
- Waterfowl hunters must use designated blinds.
- Discharging firearms or bows allowed only while hunting.
Limited access, per CPW: ['d. Big-game and waterfowl hunting by reservation only. Reservations must be made through the Hunting Reservation System. See “Reservations: Hunting” (page 1) for details. Hunters must check in and out at property.', 'f. Discharging firearms or bows is prohibited, except while hunting A. Public access prohibited March 15 to July 15. B. Walk-in access only. C. Hunting allowed with archery equipment and shotguns with shot-shells or by falconry only. D.
Where a reservation is needed, use the Hunting Reservation System, phone 1-800-244-5613.
From the agency source, CPW SWA finder, Big Game brochure, reservations; checked November 5, 2026.
Big game dates that apply on Tilman Bishop SWA
Big game hunters on Tilman Bishop SWA can choose from 43 dated windows, each tied to a hunt code. Over-the-counter rows (9) cover black bear, elk and wild turkey; the rest need a drawn or leftover license. 13 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. Spring turkey dates shown are from 2026; the 2027 brochure is not out.
| Animal | Method | Sex | License | Start | End | Valid in |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elk | Archery | cow | Limited, nonresident | Sep 2, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 | 30 |
| Elk | Archery | cow | OTC, residents | Sep 2, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 | 30 |
| Elk | Archery | either sex | Limited draw | Sep 2, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 | 41 |
| Elk | Archery | either sex | Limited, nonresident | Sep 2, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 | 30 |
| Elk | Archery | either sex | OTC, residents | Sep 2, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 | 30 |
| Elk | Muzzleloader | bull | Limited draw | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | 41 |
| Elk | Muzzleloader | cow | Limited draw | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | 30, 41 |
| Elk | Muzzleloader | either sex | Limited draw | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | 30 |
| Elk | Rifle | bull | Limited draw | Oct 14, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | 41 |
| Elk | Rifle | cow | Limited draw | Oct 14, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | 30, 41 |
| Elk | Rifle | either sex | Limited draw | Oct 14, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | 30 |
| Elk | Rifle | cow | Limited draw | Oct 24, 2026 | Nov 1, 2026 | 30, 41 |
| Elk | Second rifle | bull | OTC | Oct 24, 2026 | Nov 1, 2026 | 30, 41 |
| Elk | Rifle | cow | Limited draw | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 15, 2026 | 30, 41 |
| Elk | Third rifle | bull | OTC | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 15, 2026 | 30, 41 |
| Elk | Rifle | bull | Limited draw | Nov 18, 2026 | Nov 22, 2026 | 41 |
| Elk | Rifle | cow | Limited draw | Nov 18, 2026 | Nov 22, 2026 | 30, 41 |
| Elk | Rifle | either sex | Limited draw | Nov 18, 2026 | Nov 22, 2026 | 30 |
| Elk | Rifle | cow | Limited, late | Dec 15, 2026 | Jan 15, 2027 | 30 |
| Deer | Archery | buck | Limited draw | Sep 2, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 | 30 |
| Deer | Archery | either sex | Limited draw | Sep 2, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 | 41 |
| Deer | Muzzleloader | buck | Limited draw | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | 30, 41 |
| Deer | Muzzleloader | doe | Limited draw | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | 41 |
| Deer | Rifle | buck | Limited draw | Oct 24, 2026 | Nov 1, 2026 | 30, 41 |
| Deer | Rifle | doe | Limited draw | Oct 24, 2026 | Nov 1, 2026 | 30, 41 |
| Deer | Rifle | buck | Limited draw | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 15, 2026 | 30, 41 |
| Deer | Rifle | doe | Limited draw | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 15, 2026 | 30, 41 |
| Deer | Rifle | buck | Limited draw | Nov 18, 2026 | Nov 22, 2026 | 30, 41 |
| Pronghorn | Archery | either sex | Limited draw | Aug 15, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | 30 |
| Pronghorn | Rifle | buck | Limited draw | Oct 3, 2026 | Oct 11, 2026 | 30 |
| Moose | Archery | cow | Limited draw | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 | 41 |
| Moose | Muzzleloader | cow | Limited draw | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | 41 |
| Moose | Rifle | cow | Limited draw | Oct 1, 2026 | Oct 14, 2026 | 41 |
| Moose | Rifle | cow | Limited, late | Oct 14, 2026 | Nov 22, 2026 | 41 |
| Black bear | Archery | either sex | Limited draw | Sep 2, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 | 30, 41 |
| Black bear | Archery | either sex | OTC | Sep 2, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 | 30, 41 |
| Black bear | Rifle | either sex | Limited draw | Sep 2, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 | 30, 41 |
| Black bear | Muzzleloader | either sex | Limited draw | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | 30, 41 |
| Black bear | Muzzleloader | either sex | OTC | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | 30, 41 |
| Black bear | Rifle | either sex | OTC | Oct 14, 2026 | Nov 22, 2026 | 30, 41 |
| Mountain lion | All methods | – | Group harvest limit | Nov 23, 2026 | Mar 31, 2027 | 30 |
| Wild turkey | Spring | – | OTC | Apr 11, 2026 | May 31, 2026 | 30, 41 |
| Wild turkey | Fall | – | OTC | Sep 1, 2026 | Oct 4, 2026 | 41 |
Birds and small game
| Species | Hunt | Zone | Begins | Ends |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ducks and coots | Season (split) | Western zone | Oct 3, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 |
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 Tilman Bishop SWA on the map
The list below starts with Cameo Shooting and Education Complex Recreation Area, 4 miles away to the northeast. Six neighbours, by kind: 4 SWAs, 1 recreation area and 1 state park. Off limits to hunting close by: Grand Junction: West Lake State Wildlife Area (CPW lists no hunting), Jerry Creek Reservoirs State Wildlife Area (CPW lists no hunting) and Walker State Wildlife Area (CPW lists no hunting).
| Name | Kind | Size (ac) | County | Away | Bearing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cameo Shooting and Education Complex Recreation Area | Recreation area | 5,652 | Mesa | 4 miles | northeast |
| Franklin Island SWA | SWA | 38 | Mesa | 6 miles | southwest |
| Colorado River Island SWA | SWA | 67 | Mesa | 7 miles | southwest |
| Orchard Mesa Wildlife Area | SWA | 148 | Mesa | 8 miles | southwest |
| James M Robb Colorado River State Park | State park | 20 | Mesa | 13 miles | west |
| Mogensen Ponds SWA | SWA | 11 | Mesa | 14 miles | northeast |
Point: CPW Managed Properties (public access only) layer, CPWAdminData (2 polygons) (polygon centroid of the largest part). Straight-line distances. Closed places from lands.json closed rows. Statewide public land map.
Directions and maps for Tilman Bishop SWA
Getting there (CPW): Take I-70 W toward Grand Junction. Exit Highway 6 to Palisade. Turn S on 38 Road, merge into F 1/4 Road SWA along river N of junction of roads F 1/4 and 37 1/4.
The pin sits at 39.0990, -108.3645.
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 (2 polygons) (polygon centroid of the largest part); checked November 5, 2026.
Clock times for hunting Tilman Bishop SWA
The sun rises about twenty minutes later at Grand Junction than at Burlington, so use the times worked out for Tilman Bishop SWA.
| Date | Season point | Sunrise | Sunset | Big game | Birds and small game |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 15, 2026 | Pronghorn bow opener | 6:26 a.m. | 8:11 p.m. | 5:56 a.m. to 8:41 p.m. | 5:56 a.m. to 8:11 p.m. |
| Sep 2, 2026 | Archery opener | 6:43 a.m. | 7:45 p.m. | 6:13 a.m. to 8:15 p.m. | 6:13 a.m. to 7:45 p.m. |
| Sep 12, 2026 | Muzzleloader opens | 6:51 a.m. | 7:29 p.m. | 6:21 a.m. to 7:59 p.m. | 6:21 a.m. to 7:29 p.m. |
| Oct 3, 2026 | Duck season opens | 7:10 a.m. | 6:55 p.m. | 6:40 a.m. to 7:25 p.m. | 6:40 a.m. to 6:55 p.m. |
| Oct 24, 2026 | Second rifle opens | 7:31 a.m. | 6:24 p.m. | 7:01 a.m. to 6:54 p.m. | 7:01 a.m. to 6:24 p.m. |
| Nov 23, 2026 | Lion season opens | 7:05 a.m. | 4:56 p.m. | 6:35 a.m. to 5:26 p.m. | 6:35 a.m. to 4:56 p.m. |
| Dec 21, 2026 | Shortest day | 7:29 a.m. | 4:54 p.m. | 6:59 a.m. to 5:24 p.m. | 6:59 a.m. to 4:54 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 Tilman Bishop SWA
Gas, groceries and a motel bed: Grand Junction is the nearest, 11 miles away. Closest CPW office: Grand Junction, 12 miles.
| Nearest towns | County | Population | Miles | Heading |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Junction | Mesa | 70,554 | 11 miles | west |
| Delta | Delta | 9,688 | 28 miles | southeast |
| Rifle | Garfield | 10,663 | 44 miles | northeast |
| Paonia | Delta | 1,464 | 44 miles | east |
| Silt | Garfield | 3,727 | 49 miles | northeast |
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.
Tilman Bishop State Wildlife Area on the event calendar
Rows marked for this land meet on it; the rest are within about 10 miles. In all, 1 listing ahead. 1 of the classes was full or closed to sign-up when checked; the button shows the live status.
| On | Listing | Miles | Venue and county | Button | Read at |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 21, 2026 | CPW Hunter Education Course · hunter education course in Palisade | 4 | Cameo Shooting and Education Complex in Palisade, Mesa County | Check registration | Source |
Tilman Bishop SWA country in pictures
Tilman Bishop State Wildlife Area hunters: public range plus clubs
For a no-dues line, Tilman Bishop State Wildlife Area hunters head 4 miles to Cameo Shooting and Education Complex. 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 Tilman Bishop SWA, answered
Which community sits nearest to Tilman Bishop SWA?
Grand Junction (11 miles).
Are there antler point restrictions on Tilman Bishop SWA?
Bulls must meet the antler point rule in GMU 30 and GMU 41. If your rifle elk code is selected, test the elk (free) when it comes from GMU 30 and GMU 41.
Does the orange rule apply on Tilman Bishop SWA?
Required for firearm big game; mesh is legal, camouflage orange is not.
Who looks after wildlife on Tilman Bishop SWA?
Reach Area CPW Office in Grand Junction, 970-255-6100.
How early may a rifle hunter shoot on Tilman Bishop SWA?
For deer and elk, 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 after sunset; around Mesa County on November 7, 2026 about 6:17 a.m. to 5:38 p.m.
What does the bait law mean on Tilman Bishop SWA?
You may not hunt big game over salt, minerals, grain, animal parts or other food, whether or not you placed it.
Can I pitch a tent on Tilman Bishop SWA during the hunt?
Not by the CPW page, which shows no camping.
Is any hunting on Tilman Bishop SWA by draw or reservation?
['d. Big-game and waterfowl hunting by reservation only. Reservations must be made through the Hunting Reservation System. See “Reservations: Hunting” (page 1) for details. Hunters must check in and out at property.', 'f. Discharging firearms or bows is prohibited, except while hunting A. Public acc
What documents must I carry on Tilman Bishop 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 Tilman Bishop SWA?
Colorado Parks and Wildlife publishes it: official page.
What counties does Tilman Bishop SWA reach into?
Inside Mesa County.
How many acres are listed for Tilman Bishop SWA in the agency count?
113 acres on the agency count.
Does Tilman Bishop SWA close for part of the year?
CPW: Public access prohibited March 15 to July 15.
Which unit should my license be for on Tilman Bishop SWA?
GMU 30 and GMU 41; GMU lines follow roads and ridges, so check the map near a line.
Can I buy an elk license over the counter for Tilman Bishop SWA?
Only for some hunts. 4 OTC elk rows reach these GMUs, archery among them (OTC, residents).
Which seasons matter on Tilman Bishop SWA?
Agency sources name waterfowl and big game.
Plan the Tilman Bishop SWA trip
Saw poaching on Tilman Bishop 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: Birding for Climate (Public domain); USFWS Headquarters (CC BY 2.0); Larry Lamsa (CC BY 2.0).