Black Bear Hunting in Colorado: Seasons, Rocky Mountain Recipes, & Trophy Tactics

Colorado's black bears embody the untamed spirit of the Rockies, lurking in aspen groves and berry-choked draws where elk hunters often stumble upon them as bonus tags. With an estimated 17,000–20,000 bruins roaming the state's western slopes and foothills, the Centennial State delivers pulse-pounding spot-and-stalk pursuits amid golden aspens and granite peaks. As bear hunting season archery opener nears September, this Colorado Black Bear Hunting Guide unpacks draw odds, record chasers, viral chili verde twists, a harrowing 2024 attack deep-dive, and hunting cost breakdowns. From San Juans cinnamon ghosts to Routt's berry feasts, ethical hunts fund $2M+ in CPW conservation, balancing populations amid urban sprawl. Tag your trophy tale with #ColoradoBearHunt—let's ignite the feed with harvest heroes!

Colorado's Black Bear Bounty: One Species, Colorful Variations

The Rocky Mountain State harbors a single bear powerhouse: the American black bear (Ursus americanus), with the cinnamon-phase subspecies dominating western Colorado's gene pool. No grizzlies (extirpated in the 1930s) or polars here—these omnivores, phased from jet black (30%) to cinnamon/red (70%), thrive west of I-25 in 60+ Game Management Units (GMUs), absent from eastern plains. Populations stabilized post-1990s reintroductions, with ~800 harvested annually—sustainable thanks to OTC tags and preference points.

Monster Black Bears: Colorado's Boone & Crockett Beasts

Centennial bruins average 150–250 pounds for boars, but fall mast monsters bulk to 400+. The state record: Richard Kendall's 22 5/8-inch skull (Boone & Crockett score) cinnamon-phase giant, harvested in Moffat County's Wilson Creek area (northwest Colorado) in the early 2000s—estimated 500+ pounds after gorging on serviceberries and acorns. Runner-up: A 22 9/16-inch skull from the San Juan Mountains (Unit 75, 1990s), weighing ~450 pounds amid oak brush feasts. These northwest and southwest heavyweights underscore why GMUs 61–70 yield 50% of B&C entries.

Colorado Black Bear Hunting: Draws, OTC Tags & Stalk Strategies

2025 Licenses blend draws and OTC: Primary draw (April 1–June 1) for limited tags (75% residents); secondary (June 19–30) leftovers; OTC rifle/archery add-ons require deer/elk tags in matching units/methods. 2025 Seasons: Archery Sept. 2–30 (OTC west of I-25); 2nd rifle Sept. 2–30 (limited); 3rd/4th rifle Sept. 2–Nov. 23 (OTC plains); muzzleloader Sept. 13–21. • One bear max; report harvest within 24 hours, seal pelt/head within 5 days (tooth for aging). • Hot GMUs: 12/13 (Flattops) for archery ambushes; 70/71 (San Juans) for rifle glassing. • Pro tip: Scout CPW's Hunting Atlas for berry sign—80% success in low-pressure Routt NF.

Black Bear Life in the Rockies: Habitats to Hyperphagia

Preferred Habitats

Bruins roam 10–100 square miles in mixed conifer-deciduous forests, riparian corridors, and shrublands—elevations 5,000–11,000 feet west of I-25. Foothills (GMUs 69–82) draw 'em to aspen-oak edges; high country (GMUs 1–43) to subalpine meadows. Dense understory and water sources rule—think White River NF or Uncompahgre Plateau.

What They Eat: Berry Blitz to Acorn Avalanche

85% herbivore: Spring grasses/insects; summer serviceberries, chokecherries, pin cherries; fall acorns/oak brush (hyperphagia: 20K calories/day); winter roots/carrion. Opportunists snag fawns, bees, or trash—sparking 4,000+ annual conflicts (trash tops 70%).

Sleep Sites and Hibernation Habits

Dens: Hollow trees, rock caves, root wads—often at 8,000+ feet. True torpor (Nov–April, 5–7 months)—metabolism drops 75%, no eating/drinking; emerge mid-March. Sows den earliest; males last.

Bear Mating Rituals and Cub Care

Polygynous: Males court multiples June–July every 2 years; delayed implantation births 1–4 cubs (avg. 2) Jan–Feb in dens (~0.75 lb each). Cubs nurse through torpor, emerge April (5–10 lbs), stay 16–18 months foraging before dispersing (males 50+ miles).

Colorado Black Bears: Nuisance Raiders or Human Hazards?

Shy opportunists, blacks pose low threat—96 attacks since 1960, mostly defensive swipes. To animals: Fawn predators (15% summer diet), bee rivals, coyote competitors—but rare livestock kills (~50/year, fencing deters 90%).

Notable Bear Attacks (5 fatal in history, 1 black bear):

2024 Lake City Home Invasion: Oct. 5, a sow and 3 cubs burst through a cracked slider, mauling 74-year-old resident (claws to arms/torso). Man fought back; family intervened; stable post-hospital. Sow euthanized—food-conditioned from nearby attractants. First home attack in years. 2025 Boulder Dog-Walk Mauling: Sept. 6, a sow charged a man and leashed dogs on High Street—bites to leg/arm. Man sprayed; bear fled. Non-fatal, sow relocated. 2023 Sheepherder Assault: July, a Durango rancher gashed defending flock—bear treed and relocated. Defensive, no fatalities. Lessons Learned: Secure trash—attacks up 20% in foothills.

Bear Meat Mastery: Rocky Flavors & Colorado Classics

Colorado bear meat? Lean, venison-like with nutty sweetness—milder spring (greens-fed) vs. rich fall (acorn- tinged). Render fat for flaky biscuits (trichinosis zap: 160°F). Soak in milk for pork like tenderness.

Centennial State Stars - Shareable Showstopper Bear Meat Recipes

Rocky Mountain Bear Chili Verde: Brown 3 lbs cubed shoulder; simmer 3 hrs with green chiles, tomatillos, cumin, roasted Pueblo chiles, hominy. Top with lime crema—zesty, green gold evoking San Luis Valley farms. Aspen Bear Pulled Tacos: Crock 4 lbs roast with garlic, onion, Colorado honey, chipotles (8 hrs). Shred, taco with cabbage slaw, cotija. Sweet-smoky fusion—Flattops tailgate hit. San Juan Cinnamon Bear Burgers: Mix 2 lbs ground (cinnamon bonus!) with smoked paprika, juniper; grill well. Bun with chokecherry BBQ, hatch chiles. Bold, berry-kissed—beats beef for brews. Routt Bear Stew: Sauté 2.5 lbs chunks with serviceberries, carrots, thyme; slow-cook 2 hrs in stout. Hearty, fruity—high-country comfort. Pro Tip: Grind for chorizo; fat for empanada dough—zero waste!

Stay Gripped: Safety for Stalks & Trails in Bear Country

Encounters? 99% flee; prep trumps panic.

Hiking Hacks (Pikes Peak to Maroon Bells)

• Crew & Clamor: Group 4+; yell "Hey bear!" in brush—avoid dawn/dusk solos. Leash dogs. • Attractant Lockdown: Bear-proof bins; hang food 10 ft high/4 ft out. No scented wipes. • Defense Dynamic: Spray (30-ft, 90% effective); .30-06+ if armed. Orange/pink for archery overlaps.

Hunting Protocols (Draw to Downed)

• Scout Savvy: Glass ridges for sign; wind-check oak brush. Partner up; radios essential. • Harvest Hustle: Quarter away from guts; cache uphill, flagged. Wait 30 mins post-shot. • Blitz Response: Charge? Yell, back slow, spray. Attack? Fight snout—don't climb/run.

Colorado Bear Hunt Costs: OTC Access to Guided Glory

• All black bears; residents $60.48 tag + $12.47 habitat stamp; non-res $465. • Add base license ($60–$160). • Unguided (DIY) - $200–$800 (tag/gas/gear; OTC in Routt/San Juans NF—public paradise) • Guided (4–7 Days) - $4,000–$8,000 (spot-stalk; lodging/meals/guides; premiums $6K+ for cinnamon chases) DIY dominates OTC (70% harvests); guided (e.g., Flat Tops Wilderness) spikes odds 80%—book via CPW leftovers Aug. 5.

Why Colorado Black Bear Hunting's a Mile-High Must

From 5,000 in the 1960s to stable today, hunts fuel CPW's $1M+ monitoring—fencing, relocations curb 5,000 conflicts/year. Rush? Glassing sunlit draws for red-phased phantoms, then 300-yard ethics—poetry in motion. Tacos that trend, zero-waste feasts? Shareable supremacy.Call to Action: Apply draws April 1 at cpwshop.com; scout Atlas. Stalk a San Juan sow, simmer verde, spray-smart—post your epic below! Follow CPW for cams. Safe stalks, epic eats!

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About The Author

Mike Mendenhall is the the founder of Lunker Hunter. This website is an extension of the Mendenhall family’s lifestyle and passion for the great outdoors. Everything that they learn, and experience, along the way that they find may be valuable to our website visitors is on the site for you to enjoy. We highlight products and services that you might find interesting. We frequently receive free products from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. If you click a link on this page, then go on to make a purchase, we might receive a commission – at no extra cost to you, and does not impact the purchase price of any products that you may purchase.