Colorado › Species › Chukar partridge
Small game bird
Chukar partridge hunting in Colorado: 2026-27 seasons, limits and where to hunt
Seasons, limits, license prices and where to hunt chukar partridges in 2026-27.
Photo: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (CC BY 2.0)
Colorado chukar hunting in brief
Chukar partridges in Colorado: 1 row of dates and licenses, spanning September 1 to November 30, 2026, with open now when this page was checked. The most common chukar limit on those rows: daily 4, possession 12.
- Limit in short (chukar): Daily 4, possession 12
- Season shape (chukar): Regular season: September 1, 2026 to November 30, 2026 (Statewide); Falconry season: September 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027 (Statewide (or as listed))
From 2026 Small Game & Waterfowl brochure, PDF p. 14 and CPW website, checked November 5, 2026.
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Every 2026-27 season row for chukar partridges
Each chukar row keeps its own license type, so OTC, limited, private-land-only and youth windows sit side by side.
| Hunt | License type | Where | Dates | Bag | Codes | Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Falconry season | Falconry license | Statewide (or as listed) | Sep 1–Mar 31, 2027 | Daily 4, possession 12 | – | |
| Season | Small game | Statewide | Sep 1–Nov 30, 2026 | Daily 4, possession 12 | – |
- Falconry season (chukar, Statewide (or as listed)): Falconry bag and possession limits are not in addition to gun limits; Migratory falconry dates coincide with the established seasons (end date shown is the latest regular migratory close in the brochure).
- Season (chukar, Statewide): September 1-November 30, annually.
From 2026 Small Game & Waterfowl brochure, PDF p. 14 and 2026 Small Game & Waterfowl brochure, PDF p. 20, checked November 5, 2026.
Chukar partridge: units, zones and counties
- Season (chukar): Statewide; September 1 to November 30, 2026.
Chukar partridges are statewide: every county is inside the row, and access rules decide the rest. Find a county
From 2026 Small Game & Waterfowl brochure, PDF p. 14, checked November 5, 2026.
Chukar partridge bag and license limits
- Daily 4, possession 12 (chukar, 2 rows)
From 2026 Small Game & Waterfowl brochure, PDF p. 14, checked November 5, 2026.
Chukar partridge license and stamp fees
Every chukar license price below already carries the $1.25 search-and-rescue surcharge and the $1.50 education fee. Expect the $12.76 Habitat Stamp on top of the chukar price if you are between 18 and 64.
| Item | Residency | Price | Runs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small game (annual) | Resident | $38.49 | 13 months |
| Small game (annual) | Nonresident | $104.86 | 13 months |
| Small game (one-day) | Resident | $18.07 | 1 day |
| Small game (one-day) | Nonresident | $21.90 | 1 day |
| Small game (additional day) | Anyone | $9.13 | 1 day |
| Youth small game | Anyone | $2.53 | 13 months |
| Small game/fishing combo | Resident | $64.02 | 13 months |
| Senior combo (64+) | Resident | $38.03 | 13 months |
| HIP registration | Anyone | free | from March 1 |
| Habitat Stamp (annual) | Anyone | $12.76 | 13 months |
From 2026 Colorado Big Game brochure, PDF p. 15, 2026 Small Game & Waterfowl brochure, PDF p. 5 and 2026 Small Game & Waterfowl brochure, PDF p. 7, checked November 5, 2026.
Legal weapons for chukar partridges
- Small game and furbearers (chukar), legal gear: Rifles, handguns, shotguns 10 ga max (3 shells), hand-held bows, crossbows, air guns, slingshots, hawking; live traps for furbearers.
- Small game and furbearers (chukar), prohibited: Body-grip, foothold, snare/cable devices and poisons (except under W-17/Department of Agriculture permits); centerfire rifles larger than .23 cal west of I-25 during regular deer/elk rifle seasons without an unfilled deer/elk license.
- Falconry season (chukar method text): Hawking/falconry only; falconry license required.
- Season (chukar method text): Shotguns 10 ga max (3 shells, no single slug), hand-held bows, crossbows, hawking; rifles, handguns, air guns and slingshots only for dusky grouse and ptarmigan; No bait; no electronic calls.
From 2026 Small Game & Waterfowl brochure, PDF p. 9 and 2026 Small Game & Waterfowl brochure, PDF p. 20, checked November 5, 2026.
What CPW requires on chukar hunts
- Fluorescent clothing (chukar): Not required for small game, migratory birds, turkey or lion (encouraged).
- Shooting hours (chukar): One-half hour before sunrise to sunset.
- Baiting (chukar): No hunting big game, turkey, small game or migratory birds over bait; furbearer bait allowed; bear luring prohibited (CRS 33-6-131).
- Dogs (chukar): No dogs for big game except a leashed tracking dog (annual permit) to recover wounded deer/elk and others (not bear); dogs allowed for lion (max 8), small game, waterfowl and furbearers.
- Electronic calls (chukar): Prohibited for big game, lion, turkey, small game and waterfowl; allowed for furbearers, crows and light geese in the conservation order.
- Vehicles and roads (chukar): No shooting from a vehicle or within 50 ft of a public road centerline; firearms unloaded in the chamber in vehicles; firearms (except handguns) unloaded and cased on OHVs during deer, elk, pronghorn and bear seasons.
- Trespass (chukar): Permission required on private land whether or not posted; State Land Board lands only where leased/signed by CPW.
- Wanton waste (chukar): Must care for and prepare edible meat (four quarters, tenderloins, backstraps); must reasonably track wounded game; landowner permission needed to follow onto private land.
- WIA (chukar): Walk-In Access: small game September 1-February 28, 2027 (regular), late cropland from pheasant opener; extended properties to March 31; big game on some properties September 1-December 31; small-game license and Habitat Stamp required; foot access only.
- Days of the week (chukar): No statewide Sunday restriction appears in the 2026 brochures, CPW regulation chapters read or CRS Title 33; seasons run every day; Some State Wildlife Areas limit hunting to certain days (Chapter W-5/W-9 property rules, for example waterfowl only on Saturdays, Sundays and Wednesdays on some SWAs).
- State land (chukar): Everyone 16+ needs a hunting or fishing license (or State Wildlife Area Pass) on state wildlife areas and state trust lands.
- Hunter ed (chukar): Anyone born on or after January 1, 1949 needs a hunter education card to buy or apply for a hunting license; carry it (or have it verified "V" on the license); Other states' cards honored.
From 2026 Colorado Big Game brochure, PDF p. 25, 2026 Colorado Big Game brochure, PDF p. 24, 2026 Colorado Big Game brochure, PDF p. 22, 2026 Colorado Big Game brochure, PDF p. 23 and 2026 Colorado Big Game brochure, PDF p. 16, checked November 5, 2026.
Where to hunt chukar partridges on public ground
Chukar partridges appear on 37 public land records, most of them State Trust Land, Ranger district. Species lists come from CPW, Forest Service, BLM and refuge pages; check each place for chukar rules and seasons.
| Public area | Type | Counties | Acres | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Juan | National forest | Archuleta +8 | 1,866,191 | Southwest |
| Gunnison | National forest | Delta +4 | 1,666,609 | Southwest |
| Gunnison | Ranger district | Gunnison +2 | 1,284,166 | Southwest |
| Colorado State Trust Lands Hunting and Fishing Access Program | Access program | Adams +41 | 973,000 | – |
| Uncompahgre | National forest | Delta +7 | 952,961 | Southwest |
| Columbine | Ranger district | Archuleta +3 | 687,144 | Southwest |
| La Junta | State Trust Land | Otero | 6,715 | Southeast |
| Antelope Flats | State Trust Land | Morgan | 5,000 | Northeast |
| Brammer | State Trust Land | Morgan | 2,918 | Northeast |
| South Fork Spring Canyon | State Trust Land | Yuma | 640 | Northeast |
| Hay Gulch Overlook | State Trust Land | Yuma | 640 | Northeast |
| Black Wolf Creek | State Trust Land | Yuma | 320 | Northeast |
From CPW website, CPW website and 2026 Colorado Big Game brochure, PDF p. 16, checked November 5, 2026.
Chukar partridge hours across Colorado
Times for chukar partridges use the NOAA solar formula at each county centre. Rule: one-half hour before sunrise to sunset.
| Day | Event | Denver | Grand Junction area | Lamar area |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 5, 2026 | Today (checked) | 6:02 a.m. to 4:55 p.m. | 6:15 a.m. to 5:10 p.m. | 5:49 a.m. to 4:48 p.m. |
| Nov 30, 2026 | Season closes | 6:30 a.m. to 4:37 p.m. | 6:42 a.m. to 4:53 p.m. | 6:15 a.m. to 4:32 p.m. |
| Dec 21, 2026 | Shortest day | 6:47 a.m. to 4:38 p.m. | 6:59 a.m. to 4:54 p.m. | 6:32 a.m. to 4:33 p.m. |
From 2026 Colorado Big Game brochure, PDF p. 23 and 2026 Small Game & Waterfowl brochure, PDF p. 8, checked November 5, 2026.
Dusky grouse among dry grass along the rim drive at Black Canyon of the Gunnison. Photo: Ron Knight (CC BY 2.0)
Dusky grouse male strutting beside a gravel road near Ohio Creek, Gunnison County. Photo: Larry Lamsa (CC BY 2.0)
Lesser prairie-chicken booming in dry grass, Prowers County. Photo: Ron Knight (CC BY 2.0)
Chukar partridge questions
What methods does CPW allow for chukar partridges?
Chukar partridges, small game and furbearers rules: Rifles, handguns, shotguns 10 ga max (3 shells), hand-held bows, crossbows, air guns, slingshots, hawking; live traps for furbearers; off limits for chukar partridges: body-grip, foothold, snare/cable devices and poisons (except under W-17/Department of Agriculture permits); centerfire rifles larger than .23 cal west of I-25 during regular deer/elk rifle seasons without an unfilled deer/elk license.
Orange or pink for chukar partridges: required?
Not for chukar partridges: not required for small game, migratory birds, turkey or lion (encouraged). Wear it anyway during big game rifle seasons.
Do chukar hours end at sunset or later?
For chukar partridges: one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. Denver on November 5, 2026: 6:02 am to 4:55 pm, worked out with the NOAA solar formula.
Which public lands list chukar partridges?
For chukar partridges, 37 public areas; the three largest are San Juan National Forest, Gunnison National Forest and Gunnison Ranger District (Gunnison National Forest, Uncompahgre National Forest).
Are there harvest numbers for chukar partridges?
The reports read (big game, turkey, small game 2023-24) do not break out chukar partridges.
Can chukar partridges be hunted over bait?
CPW bait rule for chukar partridges: no bait for small-game mammals, game birds or migratory birds; federal baited-area rule (10 days after removal) for migratory birds; CPW call rule for chukar partridges: prohibited for big game, lion, turkey, small game and waterfowl; allowed for furbearers, crows and light geese in the conservation order.
Hunter education and chukar partridges: required?
Yes, for chukar partridges as for all hunting: anyone born on or after January 1, 1949 needs a hunter education card to buy or apply for a hunting license; carry it (or have it verified “V” on the license); Other states’ cards honored.
What is the chukar calendar for 2026-27?
CPW starts chukar partridges with season: September 1 to November 30, 2026 and the latest row runs to November 30, 2026.
What limit applies to chukar partridges this season?
CPW limit for chukar partridges: Daily 4, possession 12.
Which CPW license covers chukar partridges?
Licenses for chukar partridges: Small game (annual) (resident) $38.49; Small game (annual) (nonresident) $104.86; Small game (one-day) (resident) $18.07; Small game (one-day) (nonresident) $21.90.
Other photos on this page: Ron Knight (CC BY 2.0); Larry Lamsa (CC BY 2.0); Ron Knight (CC BY 2.0).