Where to Hunt

• According to the Colorado Division of Wildlife, northwest Colorado hunters are permitted to hunt for elk in the state's designated State Wildlife Areas, or SWAs. In the northwest region of the state, SWAs open for elk hunting include Adams, Bitter Brush, Bergen Peak, Jensen, Besalt, Escalante and Owl Mountain. The 8,057-acre Bitter Brush SWA is located in Colorado's northwestern-most Moffat County.
  
  

Hunting Licenses

• Available online at the Colorado Division of Wildlife website and valid from April 1 through March 31, big game hunting licenses are required for all elk hunters in northwest Colorado counties. Big game licenses go on sale July 13 and again on August 10 for leftover licenses, as of the 2010 and 2011 season.
  
  

Seasons

• The elk hunting season in northwestern Colorado counties runs from August through November and has staggered dates based on method of elk hunting, such archery, muzzleloader rifle or regular rifle hunters. According to the Colorado Division of Wildlife, muzzleloader season is by draw only.