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The Hunter Outreach Program, in partnership with other organizations, offers several youth pheasant hunts during the fall season. These hunts offer firearm safety and skills, Field skills, and habitat and biology of upland game. The Hunter Outreach program does not focus on the harvest, but upon the education of the novice hunter in the field. These hunts are day trips that start early! Youth will be expected to use 20 or 12 gauge shotguns. Shotguns can be provided to those who cannot obtain a youth size firearm.

Eligibility Requirements Include:

• Applicants must be a Colorado Resident
• All youth must meet Colorado hunter education requirements prior to submitting an application.
• All youth must be 17 and under to apply. You must be a minimum of 12 years old to apply for big game.
• Parents or legal guardians must accompany youth hunters during the entire period of the hunt. Parents and guardians are not allowed to hunt but must participate in all parts of the event with the youth.

Applying for a Hunt

Youth Hunt applications  for the 2013 season are now available. Application period closes at 5:00 pm on August 1.
 
Important! Applications submitted to the Hunter Outreach for hunts are selected by random drawing.
Successful applicants are offered a hunt by the outreach coordinator; they are not allowed to select the dates of the hunt nor the location. If the successful applicant accepts the offered hunt, they are “booked” on that hunt and will be contacted by the Huntmaster in charge. If the hunt is declined, the hunt is offered to another hunter.

If you applied last year for a Hunter Outreach youth hunt, but were not chosen, you can re-apply this year as long as you continue to meet the eligibility requirements.

Youth who have previously been selected for and participated in a Hunter Outreach Program big game hunt are not eligible to apply again.

For more information, see the Youth Hunting section.

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If you intend to hunt small game (including migratory birds) in Colorado during the 2013/2014 season, you need a new Harvest Information Program number. Go to the HIP website or call 1-866-COLOHIP (265-6447) to begin the online registration process to obtain a new HIP number.

The Harvest Information Program is designed to give wildlife managers a better handle on the number of birds and small game that are taken each year in their states. Basic informational questions will be asked about hunting; including how many birds were taken the previous season and what species will be hunted this year. 

Species Profiles and Hunting Tips

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Small game species profile information is conveniently linked off of the Small Game Dates and Fees page by clicking on the specific species names. In addition, a few of these species have hunting tips provided by biologists (towards the bottom of their profile pages).

Tips are provided for:

• Columbian sharp-tailed grouse
• Dusky Grouse
• Greater prairie-chicken
• Greater sage-grouse
• Mourning dove
• Pheasant Hunting Video

Report Birds with Metal Bands

Through Web-based system

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If a person recovers a banded bird, it is asked that the individual report the information online at reportband.gov. This Web-based system, created by the U.S. Geological Survey, helps provide important wildlife research data.

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The Walk-In Access program maps now have embedded coordinates to make it easier to locate a field while you’re in the field. To download maps and learn more, check the Walk-In Access Program page. There are approximately 200,000 acres enrolled in the program each year.

Hunting Reservations
Some properties require reservations

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There are a number of properties in the Northeast and Northwest regions of the state that require a hunting reservation to hunt. The reservation phone numbers and properties with the associated regulations are further explained on the Hunting Reservations page. A majority of the reservation properties pertain to waterfowl, but some do include small game and big game. Be sure to check the regulations before hunting on these properties. 

Federal Regulations for Migratory Bird Hunters

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Game bird hunters should be sure to read United States Fish and Wildlife Service's federal regulations for hunting migratory birds , which contains need to know terms, a list of illegal hunting methods and links to additional information on refuge specific regulations. Note: When state law differs from Federal law, the hunter must comply with the most restrictive law.

Attention Sandhill Crane Hunters!Prevent the Illegal Shooting of Birds

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The USFWS, Division of Migratory Management, has posted important information to help reduce the likelihood of illegally shooting at migratory birds that may look like sandhill cranes. Some of these protected migratory bird species are common, while others are rare. The whooping crane is very rare  and has been listed as endangered. Please read through these tips/comparisons before venturing in the field.

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A recent study in North Dakota has raised concerns about the potential risk of exposure to lead associated with eating wild game harvested with lead bullets. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and the Colorado Parks and Wildlife provide recommendations to minimize exposure to lead in wild game.

Read more information and recommendations .

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Mourning doves and other migratory birds are a national resource protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. The mourning dove is the most hunted migratory game bird in North America. Federal and state regulations help ensure that these birds continue to thrive while providing hunting opportunities.

Regulatory changes were adopted by the federal government in 1999 defining key terms for hunters and landowners with respect to baiting. See the U.S. Fish and Wildlife’s Dove Hunting and Baiting Web page for more information.