Hunting Home - Colorado Division of Wildlife

Waterfowl hunters have plenty to be excited about this year as abundant duck populations, liberal bag limits, diverse season structures and increased land access have set the stage for what could be an exceptional year for Colorado hunters.

This year’s unusually wet spring created good breeding and nesting habitat for ducks in Colorado. Population surveys in North Park and the San Luis Valley--Colorado's primary breeding areas for native waterfowl--indicate duck production was

good although somewhat delayed this year due to spring weather which was cooler than average. Resident Canada goose populations remain healthy; however, spring production may have been negatively impacted by cool weather resulting in a poor-to-average year for gosling production in some areas.

Because the vast majority of ducks that winter in Colorado are migrant birds from the north-central U.S. and southern Canada, improved duck populations in these key areas should translate into excellent late-season opportunities for Colorado hunters. To learn more, read the Colorado Waterfowl Hunters press release.

See an overview of seasons and dates, or for a complete listing of dates and regulations, check out the 2009 Colorado Waterfowl Brochure (pdf). A hardcopy is also available at any DOW office or statewide license agents.

CWD Testing Information and Precautions

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) affects deer, elk, and moose. Infected animals can show no signs of illness throughout much of the disease. In CWD's terminal stages, animals appear emaciated and often behave abnormally. Distribution and prevalence of CWD vary in Colorado. Infection rates appear higher in males and older animals.

CWD testing for deer and elk is voluntary and available statewide. All moose harvested must be presented to the DOW for inspection. For more information concerning current testing sites and rules, click on the Submission & Testing page.

CWD is not likely transmissible to humans, according to state and federal health experts. However, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and the Division of Wildlife advise hunters to take simple precautions when handling carcasses of deer, elk and moose from units where the disease has been detected.

More information on the disease as well as maps showing rates of CWD occurrence can be found on the CWD Info & Testing page.

Big Game License Options

Leftover and general over-the-counter (OTC) big game licenses, as well as OTC bear licenses with caps and turkey licenses, are available for purchase by internet, telephone (1-800-244-5613), license agents and Division of Wildlife offices. For a current list of leftovers available and more information, see Leftover Licenses. OTC Cap licenses are sold for archery, muzzleloading and rifle bear, as well as some units for rifle elk. Check out the 2009 OTC bull elk license map (1 MB PDF) and the OTC Cap License List.

For a list of other license options and to find out what you need to do before you purchase or apply for a license, check out Big Game License Options.