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Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s Hunter Outreach Program, in partnership with other organizations, is offering several youth pheasant hunts during the fall season. These hunts build firearm safety and skills, field skills and increase the hunter's understanding of the habitat and biology of upland game. As a first experience program for youth hunters and their families, emphasis is placed on developing basic hunting skills in a safe and positive environment.

Applications  are now available, and the deadline is August 1. These hunts are open to Colorado residents only and hunters must be between 10-17 years of age.

Please see Youth Hunting for more information. 

Forward Thinking

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The majority of small game seasons will start back up in September. The 2012-2013 season dates will be approved at the July Wildlife Commission meeting and will be updated online soon afterwards. The new Regulations Brochure will be available late-July.

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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 shooting illegally at migratory birds that may look like sandhill cranes but for which there is no open season and are protected by Federal law. Some of these protected migratory bird species are common, while others are rare. One of these protected migratory bird species is very rare, the whooping crane, and has been listed as endangered. Please read through these tips/comparisons before venturing in the field.

Reduce Potential Exposure to Lead in Game Meat

Meat Harvested with Lead Ammunition

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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 Division of Wildlife provide recommendations to minimize exposure to lead in wild game. Read more information and recommendations .

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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. In short, a HIP number validates your small game hunting license.

If you will hunt small game (including migratory birds) in Colorado during the 2012/2013 season, go to the HIP website or call 1-866-COLOHIP (265-6447) to begin the online registration process to obtain a HIP number.

The new HIP year begins annually on April 1. At that time, all hunters with existing HIP numbers will need to obtain a new one by going directly to the HIP website or calling 1-866-COLOHIP (265-6447). 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.

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

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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, and
• mourning dove.

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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, and dove hunting is a popular sport in many parts of this country. Federal and state regulations help ensure that these birds continue to thrive while providing hunting opportunities.

There are regulatory changes adopted by the federal government in 1999 defining key terms for hunters and landowners with respect to baiting, and clarifying conditions under which you may hunt doves and other migratory game birds.  See the U.S. Fish and Wildlife’s Dove Hunting and Baiting Web page for more information.