Stout-legged Coloradans who pursue blue grouse and ptarmigan will enjoy 10 additional days to hunt during the coming season because of a quirk in the schedule.
A blue grouse season that begins Sept. 1 will reach through Nov. 20 to coincide with an extension in the big-game hunt period. Traditionally, the hunt for blue grouse and ptarmigan is timed to end concurrent with that for deer and elk.
Ptarmigan may be hunted from Sept. 10-Nov. 20 in units 53, 54, 66, 67, 68, 70, 71, 74, 75, 751, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80 and 81. An earlier, statewide season is in effect Sept. 10-Oct. 2.
The Colorado Wildlife Commission also approved a Sept. 10-16 season for sage grouse and a Sept. 1-18 term for sharp-tailed grouse. Chukar season will be Sept. 1-Nov. 27.
As announced in these pages last week, the seasons for pheasant and quail were extended a week, starting on the second Saturday in November instead of the third, as had been the case for the past two years.
Pheasant season will be Nov. 12-Jan. 16 east of Interstate 25, Nov. 12-Jan. 2 west of the interstate. For quail, a longer season will be in effect Nov. 12-Jan. 16 in the southeast. With that same starting date, the quail season in the northeast and west will end Jan. 2.
Bag and possession limits will be the same as last year for all species.
