Hunting Near Salida and Buena Vista

The application deadline for limited licenses for area big game hunting — including deer, elk, some bighorn sheep and mountain goats, and a very limited number of antelope — comes around the first week of April. Over the counter small game licenses are available for rabbit and squirrels. Among winged prey, in addition to blue grouse and ptarmigan, there is increasing hunting interest in the growing population of wild turkey throughout the area. As for waterfowl, Canadian Honkers love our many grass ranches filled with their favorite stubble and ducks can be found along the winding rivers throughout Chaffee County. But those in the know have said that Chaffee County is perhaps best used as a base for waterfowl hunting excursions into the neighboring San Luis Valley.

While you’re in town, local sportsmen invite you to enjoy the local public archery and shooting range which is located on US 285 between Salida and Buena Vista adjacent to the county landfill. The range is open daylight hours, year-round, with no permits, licenses or age restrictions.