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A Must Read for Big Game Hunters
2009 Hunting Guide CoverIn this year’s 40-page Colorado Outdoors Hunting Guide you can get the 2009 statewide big game hunting season forecast from Division of Wildlife (DOW) experts. Read the story "After the Shot" and be prepared for what comes after you pull the trigger. Determine the perfect gun/cartridge/bullet combo for your intended game. Learn what DOW female employees have to say about their hunts.

You can receive the Hunting Guide free by subscribing to Colorado Outdoors magazine for one year for $10.50 (6 issues). Subscribe Now! You can also purchase the annual guide separately for $5.

Big Game Harvest Survey

A buck deer in Bailey, Colorado. Photo by David Hannigan.Tell us about your hunt. An important part of setting seasons and license numbers for next year comes from harvest survey responses. Each year from October through mid-February the Division of Wildlife contracts with an outside firm to collect hunt and harvest information from deer, elk and pronghorn hunters. Hunters are asked various questions that relate to:

  • where and when they hunted
  • did they harvest
  • what they harvested
  • were they satisfied with their hunt
  • did they feel crowded by other people during their hunt.

Each year Colorado has over 375,000 deer, elk and pronghorn hunters making it unfeasible to contact each individual hunter by February. Therefore approximately 160,000 hunters are randomly selected to participate in the annual harvest survey. The information from the participating hunters is then used with information collected by DOW biologists to estimate annual big game harvest and population numbers.

Not all hunters are eligible to take the survey. Only those hunters who have been randomly selected and notified by the Colorado Division of Wildlife are eligible. To complete your Big Game Harvest Survey anytime (24 hours/7 days/October-mid February) go to http://www.cdowsurvey.com/ or call 1-866-825-0045. (If you would like to speak to an operator you may press zero at any time.)

For more information: Download the Frequently Asked Questions (PDF).

Purchase Leftover and OTC Licenses

Bull elk in velvet with forest backdrop. Photo by Michael Seraphin.Leftover and general over-the-counter (OTC) big game licenses, as well as OTC bear licenses with caps, are available for purchase by internet, telephone (1-800-244-5613), license agents and Division of Wildlife offices.

Leftover licenses:  for a current list available and more information, see Leftover Licenses.

OTC Cap licenses: 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.

Suggested Big Game Hunting Areas

A lone pronghorn rear view. Photo courtesy of US Fish and Wildlife Service.A great thing about living and hunting in Colorado is the vast amount of public land open to hunting, but with so many options, choosing a location can quickly turn into a chore.

Hunter outreach coordinator for the Division of Wildlife (DOW), Jim Bulger, asked DOW officers to suggest areas big game hunters may want to consider. Now, these suggested hunting areas are available on the DOW’s Web site!

Big Game License Options

Check out Colorado Big Game License Options for a list of license options, including Limited Licenses, Over-the-Counter Licenses, Private-Land-Only Licenses and more. Also find out what you need to do before you purchase or apply for a license. 

Colorado Outdoors Cover

 Subscribe Today!
  • Populations by DAU for deer, elk and pronghorn usually in the January - February 2010 issue.
  • Preference Point listings for all big game species usually in the March/April issue will now be published in the January - February 2010 issue.
  • Receive a free Hunting Guide with your Colorado Outdoors subscription

Western Slope Big Game Hunting Guides Available

Containing statistics, directories, hunting tips, special advisories, local area shooting ranges and much more, the NW Colorado and the SW Colorado Big Game Hunting Guides include valuable tips and resources for big game hunters. With practical information like terrain and weather, big game hunters will be well equipped for each hunting excursion.

Harvested Lion & Bear Tooth-Age Data

Mountain lion and bear age data from teeth submitted during mandatory checks is provided online so hunters can look up the age of their harvested animal by seal number. This is the only way for hunters to find this information. For privacy reasons, hunter’s names are not posted.

Mule Deer Aging Project

Thanks to everyone who participated in the 2007 and 2008 mule deer aging project! Last year a total of 214 teeth were returned and sent for laboratory analysis to determine exact age. Visit the Mule Deer Aging Project page for more information and updates.
Reduce Potential Exposure to Lead in Game Meat
Meat Harvested with Lead Ammunition 
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 Division of Wildlife provide recommendations to minimize exposure to lead in wild game. Read more information and recommendations (pdf).
Attention Muzzleloaders
NEW FOR 2008: Electronic or battery-powered devices cannot be incorporated into or attached to muzzleloader during muzzleloading seasons. Initially, the electronic ignition muzzleloader was considered legal during muzzleloading season, however, the Wildlife Commission ruled in January 2008 that it is not legal during the muzzleloading season. It is illegal for anyone, except if authorized, to have a loaded electronic-ignition muzzleloader in or on a motor vehicle unless the chamber is unloaded or the battery is disconnected and removed from its compartment.
Things to remember
  • When hunters and anglers purchase a hunting or fishing license, they will also need to purchase a Habitat Stamp. When purchased with a license, the cost is $5, and is required on the first two licenses purchased in a calendar year.  
  • If you bought a license in 2003 or afterwards, your Customer Identification Number (CID) is on the license. If you have a Conservation Certificate (CC), you can still use that number to apply. The number is in the upper right corner of the CC.
  • As required by the Colorado support Enforcement Act, established by HB 97-1205 and implemented through 24-33-110 C.R.S., your Social Security number (SSN) is required to purchase or apply for all DOW licenses. Your SSN is not shown on your license. It is provided when requested to the Colorado Department of Human Services, Child Support Enforcement, as required by law and is used to enforce the law.
  • Each year the Colorado Wildlife Commission meets in January to make final decisions on possible new regulation changes pertaining to hunting. Hunters need to be aware that new regulations may apply each year. Be sure to check the big game season information brochure for more specific information.
  • Do we have your correct address? If it changed, please help us update it.


Last Updated: 10/30/2009