Outdoors and wildfire - Eastern Plains
Phillips County hunting often means private land through Walk-In Access
Much of the bird hunting in Phillips County happens on private fields opened to the public through Colorado's Walk-In Access program, not on public land.
Published June 10, 2026 - Last verified June 11, 2026
Phillips County has a reputation for bird hunting, especially pheasant. But unlike the mountains, where much of the land is national forest, this is mostly private farm ground. So where do hunters go?
A lot of it runs through Colorado’s Walk-In Access program. Through this program, Colorado Parks and Wildlife pays private landowners to open enrolled fields and edges to public hunting, on foot only, during set seasons. The enrolled properties are listed each year in a Walk-In Access atlas with maps and rules. It is a way to hunt private land legally without knocking on every farmhouse door.
A few things to keep straight. The access is seasonal and the boundaries change year to year as landowners join or leave. It is foot access for hunting, not a general right to wander, drive, or camp. And you still need the right license and to follow the season and method rules for whatever you are after.
This note points to a durable structure, not this year’s exact dates or acreage, which change annually. Before a Phillips County hunt, get the current Walk-In Access atlas and rules from Colorado Parks and Wildlife.