Colorado 3rd Rifle Season Combo Hunt
Shared Trip
Active hunting
Colorado 3rd rifle season targets elk and mule deer comboDraw-only tags require advance application for exclusive accessLate season snow drives game into predictable hunting areas
You know that feeling when everything just clicks during hunting season? That's what Colorado's 3rd rifle season delivers. This isn't your typical weekend hunt – we're talking about a draw-only combo opportunity where you can tag both elk and mule deer in one trip. The mountains are dusted with snow, the air's got that crisp bite, and the animals are moving into patterns that make a seasoned hunter's heart race. Silver Spur Outfitters has been guiding hunters through these prime Colorado units for years, and this combo hunt represents some of the best action you'll find all season. With wildlife pushed into predictable corridors and rutting activity still stirring things up, you're looking at conditions that separate the good hunts from the legendary ones.
This combo hunt runs during Colorado's coveted 3rd rifle season, which typically falls in November when Mother Nature starts flexing her muscles. You'll be hunting solo with our experienced guides, giving you that personalized attention that makes all the difference when you're glassing ridgelines or setting up for that perfect shot. The terrain here doesn't mess around – we're talking steep canyon country, dense timber patches, and open meadows where game feeds before bedding down in the thick stuff. Your hunt strategy shifts throughout the day as elk and deer move between feeding areas, water sources, and bedding sites. Early morning finds us glassing open parks where animals might still be feeding, while midday calls for still-hunting through timber where they're likely bedded. Weather plays a huge role – fresh snow can completely change animal movement patterns overnight, and that's when having a guide who knows these mountains inside and out becomes priceless.
The 3rd rifle season puts you in some of Colorado's most challenging and rewarding hunting country. We're working elevations from around 7,000 feet up to 10,000-plus feet, where the air gets thin and the views stretch for miles. Your rifle setup needs to handle shots from 100 yards in the timber to 400+ yards across canyon draws – most hunters bring a scoped rifle in .270, .30-06, or .300 Win Mag caliber. The key to success here is reading the terrain like a book. Elk love to feed in the high meadows at first light, then filter down into north-facing slopes where snow provides moisture and cooler temps. Mule deer work similar patterns but tend to favor brushy draws and edge habitat where they can slip in and out of cover quickly. We spend a lot of time glassing – good binoculars are absolutely essential, and a spotting scope can make the difference between going home with a tag or a trophy. The terrain demands solid boots with good ankle support, and layered clothing that lets you adapt as you move from shadowy timber into sunny exposure or as weather conditions change throughout the day.
Rocky Mountain elk are the crown jewel of Colorado hunting, and during 3rd season, these giants are transitioning from their rut-crazed behavior into winter survival mode. Bulls can tip the scales at 700-900 pounds, with mature animals sporting impressive six-point racks that'll dominate any wall. November elk are phenomenal to hunt because they're still somewhat vocal – you might hear a location bugle or cow talk that gives away their position. They're also starting to group up more predictably, moving between high-elevation feeding areas and protected timber where they'll spend the winter months. What makes elk hunting so addictive is their incredible intelligence and ability to seemingly vanish into terrain that looks like it couldn't hide a house cat. One moment you're watching a herd of 20 animals, the next they've melted into the landscape like smoke.
Colorado mule deer during 3rd rifle season are absolute trophies waiting to happen. These aren't your whitetail deer – muley bucks are built different, with stockier bodies reaching 200-250 pounds and those characteristic tall, wide antlers that fork instead of growing off a main beam. November bucks are still carrying some of their rut aggression, making them slightly less cautious than they'll be later in winter. Mule deer have this unique bouncing gait called "stotting" that lets them navigate rocky terrain that would challenge a mountain goat. They're also famous for their "what's that?" behavior – unlike whitetails that bolt at the first sign of danger, a mule deer might stop and stare, giving you that perfect broadside shot opportunity if you're ready for it. The high-country muleys we hunt here develop incredible body mass and antler growth thanks to the rich mountain vegetation and mineral content in the soil.
Colorado's 3rd rifle season combo hunt represents everything serious hunters dream about – challenging terrain, world-class game animals, and conditions that reward skill and persistence. This isn't a guaranteed harvest situation, but that's exactly what makes it so rewarding when everything comes together. The draw-only tag system means you're competing with hunters from across the country for these coveted licenses, and securing your spot with Silver Spur Outfitters puts you ahead of the game with local knowledge and proven hunting strategies. Whether you're chasing your first Colorado elk or looking to add a trophy mule deer to your collection, this combo hunt delivers the kind of mountain hunting experience that creates lifelong memories. The application deadlines come up faster than you think, so don't let another season slip by wondering "what if." Get your application in, reserve your dates with us, and start planning for what could be the hunt of a lifetime in some of Colorado's most pristine and productive hunting country.
Colorado