Colorado Wildfires and What They Mean for Hunts in Units 22, 32, 33 and 42
Colorado wildfire conditions can change quickly, especially during hot, dry and windy stretches of summer. For hunters planning elk, deer, bear or turkey hunts, wildfires do not always mean a season is ruined, but they can affect access, smoke, animal movement, road closures and day-to-day hunt strategy.
At Reverse 7L, we keep a close eye on conditions across Colorado Game Management Units 22, 32, 33 and 42 so hunters can prepare with confidence and adjust when needed.
Are Colorado Hunting Seasons Still Open During Wildfire Season?
In most cases, hunting seasons continue as scheduled unless a specific area, road, trailhead or public land access point is temporarily closed for safety. Colorado Parks and Wildlife reminds hunters that fire-related closures can change quickly, sometimes daily or even hourly.
Before traveling, hunters should always check current conditions with Colorado Parks and Wildlife, local county alerts, Forest Service updates and fire restriction maps.
How Wildfires Affect Elk, Deer, Bear and Turkey
Wildfires can temporarily push wildlife away from smoke, flames, aircraft activity and firefighting traffic. Elk and deer may shift into nearby drainages, private land, lower-pressure pockets or areas with better water access.
After a fire, burned areas can eventually become strong wildlife habitat. New grass, shrubs, aspen growth and open feeding areas often attract game once the landscape begins to recover.
Unit 22 Hunts
Species: Elk, deer, bear and turkey
Reverse 7L offers access to approximately 25,000 private acres in Unit 22. During wildfire years, private land can be especially valuable because animals may move away from pressure, smoke or temporary public land closures. Private access also helps reduce competition and gives hunters more room to adjust.
Unit 32 Hunts
Species: Elk, deer, bear and turkey
Unit 32 includes a mix of timber, sage, brush and broken terrain. If smoke or fire activity affects nearby areas, elk and deer may change bedding locations, travel routes or feeding patterns. Flexible hunt plans and local knowledge become important when conditions shift.
Unit 33 Hunts
Species: Elk, deer, bear and turkey
Unit 33 offers diverse habitat for big game. Wildfire activity does not usually affect an entire unit evenly, but it can change access and animal behavior in certain pockets. Hunters should confirm road conditions, fire restrictions and public land closures before arrival.
Unit 42 Hunts
Species: Elk, deer, bear and turkey
Unit 42 contains a mix of timber, pinyon-juniper country, open slopes and transition habitat. If surrounding areas see more pressure or temporary closures, private and lower-pressure ground can become more important for locating consistent game movement.
Smoke Can Affect the Hunt Too
Smoke can reduce visibility, affect glassing conditions and make long days in the field harder on hunters. Wildlife often tolerates moderate smoke better than people do, but heavy smoke can still change movement patterns and hunter strategy.
Helpful Apps for Colorado Hunters During Wildfire Season
Before heading into the mountains, hunters should download a few key apps and maps:
- OnX Hunt – Offline maps, GMU boundaries, private/public land ownership and navigation.
- Watch Duty – Live wildfire maps, fire perimeters, evacuation alerts and incident updates.
- COTREX – Colorado trail conditions, closures and recreation access.
- Colorado Parks and Wildlife – Hunting regulations, GMU information, licenses and season updates.
- AirNow – Current air quality and smoke forecasts.
One of the advantages of hunting with Reverse 7L is that our guides monitor these conditions daily. We track wildfire activity, smoke conditions, road closures and game movement so you can spend less time worrying about logistics and more time hunting.
Plan Ahead and Hunt Smart
Wildfire season is part of hunting in the West. The key is preparation. Hunters should bring backup routes, download offline maps, watch fire restrictions and stay flexible if conditions change.
Planning a Colorado hunt? Contact Reverse 7L to learn more about private-land hunting opportunities in Units 22, 32, 33 and 42.