Colorado Department of Natural Resources Home | Shop | Maps | Jobs | Volunteer | FAQ | Contact |

Apply Online for Big Game Limited Licenses


2012 Regulations Brochure now available!!
2012 Big Game Regulations Brochure Cover This year's limited license application deadline is April 3rd. Apply online now!

Review the 2012 big game regulations brochure for more information. New graphic

For the main 2012 season dates, check out the Colorado Big Game Hunting Planner . The Hunting Planner is an easy-to-read two-page summary of 2012 and 2013 season dates, fees, and application dates and deadlines. It can be saved and printed for easy reference as you plan your hunt.

The Plan Your Hunt page has helpful information on organizing and planning your hunt, buying licenses and more!

Harvest Surveys  

Colorado Stephanie and Dave Moreno stand next to an elk they harvested in the fall 2008. Credit Dave Moreno.Parks and Wildlife's annual big-game harvest surveys are underway.  Each year from October through mid-February the CPW contracts with an outside firm to collect hunt and harvest information from deer, elk and pronghorn hunters.  Individual hunters are asked a series of questions related to their experience including:

  • Where did you hunt?
  • Did you harvest an animal?
  • What species did you harvest?
  • Were you satisfied with your hunting experience? 
  • Did you experience overcrowding from other hunters in your particular area?

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 gathered from the participating hunters is then used with information collected by CPW biologists to estimate annual big-game harvest and population numbers.  An important part of setting seasons and license numbers for next year comes from harvest survey responses.
 
Not all hunters are eligible to take the survey. Only those hunters who have been randomly selected and notified by the CPW are eligible. To complete your Big-Game Harvest Survey anytime (24 hours/7 days/October-mid February) go to www.ColoradoHuntReports.com or call 1-877-237-1666 for live operator assistance.

For more information, please download the Harvest Survey Frequently Asked Questions.

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.  

Harvested 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.  In addition, age data for bull elk and bull moose hunters in game management units 7, 8, 9, 19, 191 and 20 (Larimer County) are available. This is the only way for hunters to find this information. For privacy reasons, hunter’s names are not posted.

Hunters who participated in submitting teeth can see results off the Tooth-age Data page.

Hunters who harvested mule deer bucks in units 54, 61, 62, 75, 77, 78, 80, 81, 751 and 771, can find the age of their animals and get the latest project updates by visiting the Mule Deer Aging Project page.

Colorado Outdoors Cover

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

Things to Remember
  • 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.
  • For a checklist for organizing your hunt, steps for planning a successful hunt, information on how to buy and apply for a license, and more, see Plan Your Hunt. 
        Last Updated: 2/6/2012 10:44 PM