FMWR > Recreation & Sports > Hunting and Fishing Fort Carson

UPDATE Pinon Canyon Gate Hours December 2011-January 2012

UPDATE Pinon Canyon Big Game Hunting Information

UPDATE Horses not permitted for hunting at Pinon Canyon

UPDATE There will be no Range Safety Briefings at Fort Carson Range Control during December 2011

UPDATE for GMU 147  Big game hunters possessing a downrange pass specifically granting permission, may cross the east boundary of Pinon Canyon to enter Game Management Unit 147 located on Comanche Grassland, U.S. Forest Service property. A permission letter is no longer required. Hunters accessing GMU 147 are required to attend a downrange safety briefing, obtain a recreational permit, register firearms, and obtain a downrange pass.

Hunting on Fort Carson and Pinon Canyon is open to military personnel and the public when compatible with the military mission, installation safety and security, ecosystem sustainability, natural resources management, and fiscal responsibility.  Possession of a recreation permit and a state hunting license does not guarantee access to Fort Carson or Pinon Canyon. The following are requirements for recreating on Fort Carson and Pinon Canyon.

1. Range Safety Briefing.  All recreationists accessing downrange at Fort Carson or Pinon Canyon are required to attend a downrange safety briefing each year.  On Fort Carson, briefings are provided at 1800 on the first and last Wednesday of every month at Range Control (Building 9550) located at 2740 Wilderness Road.  At Pinon Canyon, the briefings are scheduled to coincide with hunting seasons.  Call the Pinon Canyon Wildlife Office for additional information: 719-524-0529. There is no charge for the briefing and attending the briefing is required prior to purchasing a permit.

2. Fort Carson Recreation Permit.  At Fort Carson, a permit may be purchased Tuesday-Saturday at Outdoor Recreation (Building 2429) on Specker Road.  Permits are sold at Pinon Canyon when the installation is open for hunting.  The permit is valid at both Fort Carson and Pinon Canyon.  For additional information, call (719) 526-5366 (Fort Carson) or (719) 524-0529 (Pinon Canyon).  Cllick here for permit fees.

3. Firearm Registration.  All firearms must be registered before transported onto Fort Carson or Pinon Canyon.  Firearms, including muzzleloaders, rifles, shotguns, and handguns, must be registered.  Hand held bows and crossbows are not required to be registered.  Click here for Registration Instructions and Firearm Registration Form.

4. Daily Downrange Pass.  A daily downrange pass issued by Range Control is required, which is obtained at Range Control Building 9550 at Fort Carson, and Building 300 at Pinon Canyon.  Hunters must return to Range Control by the time specified on the pass.

5. State Hunting and Fishing Licenses.   Hunters are required to obtain and carry the appropriate Colorado state licenses and permits. A state fishing license is not required on Fort Carson, but all other Colorado fishing regulations are enforced, including bag and possession and two-rod limitation. State license requirements are subject to change, and therefore, they are not provided here. State fishing and hunting regulation brochures are available at Colorado Division of Wildlife offices and web site.

Attending a hunter education class is required before purchasing a Colorado hunting license.  Hunter education classes are taught by Colorado Division of Wildlife certified instructors at several locations.  The class is also provided by Outdoor Rec.

Law Enforcement
Fort Carson Game Wardens are authorized to enforce federal and state laws, and DoD and Army regulations.  In addition, USFWS, and CDOW Law Enforcement Officers are authorized to enter FC and PCMS to enforce federal and state fish and wildlife laws.  A summary of the Fort carson regulation is printed on the reverse side of the Fort Carson and Pinon Canyon Recreation Maps, which is provided with purchase of a permit.  Hunters are encouraged to read  Fort Carson Regulation 200-6 (Wildlife Management and Recreation).

Chronic Wasting Disease Notice
CWD testing for all deer harvested on Fort Carson is mandatory in 2011.  Transport the deer or head to the Division office located at 4255 Sinton Road, just off Garden of the Gods Road on the east side of I25.  The Division phone number is 719-227-5200. 

Division personnel will remove the CWD sample.  CWD testing of elk is not required, but is encouraged.  Do not bring the carcass to the wildlife office for testing.  Click here for Colorado CWD information. Click here for CDC CWD information.

Contacts
Fort Carson DPW Wildlife Office:  (719) 524-5306, 524-5393
Conservation Law Enforcement: (719) 524-5394
Fort Carson Range Control recorded message:  (719) 526-4136 
Pinon Canyon DPW Wildlife Office:  (719) 524-0529

Report broken links to (719) 524-5393
Website last updated - 20 December 2011/Website Disclaimer