Last verified
Colorado pronghorn seasons, 2026
Colorado's 2026 pronghorn seasons open earliest of all big game: archery August 15 (bucks only), then either-sex archery September 1–20, muzzleloader September 21–29, and two rifle seasons, October 3–11 and October 17–25. Almost all pronghorn hunting is limited — you draw a tag, you don't buy one over the counter. CPW 2025–2029 Season Structure
Pronghorn (Colorado calls them antelope interchangeably) are an eastern- plains and mountain-park hunt, and the season is the first to open each year. The dates below are the statewide framework from the full calendar.
Season dates as a table
| Species | Method | 2026 dates |
|---|---|---|
| Pronghorn | Archery | AUG 15 – AUG 31 (bucks only); SEP 1 – SEP 20 (either-sex) |
| Muzzleloader | SEP 21 – SEP 29 | |
| Rifle | OCT 3 – OCT 11 (1st); OCT 17 – OCT 25 (2nd) |
Why it's a draw hunt
Unlike elk, there is essentially no over-the-counter pronghorn — nearly every pronghorn license in Colorado is limited and awarded through the draw. That makes preference points central to antelope hunting; the better buck units can take several years of points, especially for non-residents.
The methods
- Archery — opens August 15 for bucks only, then either-sex September 1–20. The earliest big-game opportunity in the state.
- Muzzleloader — a short September 21–29 season.
- Rifle — first season October 3–11, an optional second season October 17–25. Some units add late seasons that run into winter.
Late seasons
A number of units offer optional late rifle pronghorn seasons that can run from November into January, set per hunt code. As with everything unit-specific, confirm your exact dates in the CPW 2026 Big Game Brochure.
New to drawing tags? Start with how the draw works, and if you're from out of state, the non-resident guide covers the caps.
Common questions
When does antelope season start in Colorado in 2026?
Archery pronghorn opens August 15, 2026 (bucks only), making it the earliest big-game season in the state. Either-sex archery runs September 1–20, and rifle opens October 3.
Can you buy an over-the-counter pronghorn tag in Colorado?
No — Colorado pronghorn is essentially all limited (draw only). You apply in the draw and may need preference points for the better buck units.
Primary sources
- CPW 2025–2029 Big Game Season Structure (official rule PDF) verified Jul. 2026
- CPW 2026 Colorado Big Game Hunting Brochure the canonical annual publication
- CPW — Pronghorn hunting verified Jul. 2026