Colorado’s antelope populations can be divided into two main areas — the eastern and western regions. Much like the state’s mule deer, the antelope on the eastern side are far easier to draw a tag for, while the western units require a lot more points. Public land on the Eastern Plains is limited, primarily made up of federal grasslands and some state land available for public hunting. While the overall quality is fairly similar between the two regions, hunting on the eastern side is typically more successful with an outfitter due to the mix of private land and higher-quality areas. Keep in mind, in Colorado, the points required to draw a tag don’t necessarily translate into bigger or more mature bucks.
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The winterkill of 2022/2023 is relevant, but populations look to be rebounding with light winters last year along with this year, so far. Tags are still lower than prior to the winterkill but should start to slowly trickle up and take some of the pressure off point creep. Antelope numbers in that northwest region are still good enough to warrant drawing a tag, but applicants must remember that these units are only a couple years removed from losses of up to 50% of the populations in certain areas.
For hunters looking to get into the action, archery and muzzleloader hunts present a silver lining, especially in areas with abundant public land and good antelope numbers. Though antelope can be tricky to get within bow or open-sight muzzleloader range, the trade-off for fewer points required to draw these tags compared to rifle hunts makes it an appealing option. While Colorado still produces quality antelope, the standard buck quality tends to hover around the 70-78” range, with some exceptional bucks surpassing 80”. If you’re looking for a true trophy, Colorado may not be the best bet compared to other western states other than a guided hunt on the Plains. However, if you’re content with solid opportunities for decent bucks and are okay with drawing a tag in a few years, Colorado is still a great place to hunt for antelope.
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The Colorado big game application deadline is April 1, 2025 at 8 p.m. MDT.
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| Annual Small Game Hunt License (required to apply) | $101.54 |
| Youth Annual Small Game Hunt License (under age 18, required to apply) | $1.50 |
| Habitat Stamp (required for adults to apply) | $12.47 |
| Draw Application (per species) | $11.00 |
| Youth Point Fee (all species) | NONE |
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| Antelope | $494.47 |
| Youth Big Game (Elk, Deer, or Antelope) | $126.18 |
Colorado Antelope Hunting Articles from Huntin' Fool Magazine
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