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New In 2010
Waterfowl brochure cover.The 2010 Waterfowl Regulations brochure is now available, and the 2010 season brings changes to bag limits, walk-in access and habitat stamps.

The new limit for pintails in the Central Flyway portion of Colorado (Mountain/Foothills and Eastern Plains zones) has been increased to two for the 2010-2011 season. See the brochure for duck bag limit details and a map of duck season zones.

Beginning this year, small game hunters are no longer required to purchase permits to hunt properties enrolled in the DOW’s Walk-In Access (WIA) program. The DOW has eliminated the access fee to offer even greater opportunities for Colorado’s small game and waterfowl hunters. The program provides more than 220,000 acres of private-land access to small game and waterfowl hunters.

There are new laws in place regarding habitat stamps. Be sure to check out the new regulations before you head out to enjoy the Colorado outdoors.

See season dates and fees for more information.

Federal Regulations for Migratory Bird Hunters

Game bird hunters should be sure to read United States Fish and Wildlife Service's federal regulations for hunting migratory birds (pdf), 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.

License Requirements
Hunting lab with ducks behindNew License Year Began April 1 - Licenses are valid 4/1/10 - 3/31/11 for small game, combination fishing and hunting, Colorado waterfowl stamp and habitat stamps at any license agent, DOW office, online or by phone at 1-800-244-5613. 

Hunters must have a small game license, youth small game or combination license to hunt waterfowl.

Hunters 16 or older also need a Federal Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp, or duck stamp, to hunt waterfowl. Federal stamps are available at post offices and DOW offices. The stamp is valid when you sign your name in ink across the face of it. An electronic stamp issued at license agents also provides a receipt as proof of purchase. This proof of purchase contains a unique code given instantly and is valid for 45 days from the date of issue, sufficient time for the peel and stick stamp to arrive in the mail.A federal stamp is not required to take light geese during the conservation order season.

Hunters 16 or older also need a Colorado waterfowl stamp. The state stamp is printed on your license. The stamp is valid when you sign your name in ink across the face of it.

New Walk-in Access Change

Hunters, as of January 1, 2010, no longer need a special permit to hunt walk-in access lands. Find out more about the Walk-in Access Program.
Flyways.us Hunting Resource
The www.Flyways.us site is packed with news, updates, harvest management information, and scientific data from the FWS and Canadian Wildlife Service.  The Web site also provides links to Flyway Web sites and has other features like those listed below.
Flyways.us banner
  • initial assessments of waterfowl breeding habitat conditions in new video segments
  • aerial photos chronicling surveys
  • interactive maps to find bird banding and recovery sites 
  • email tool for submitting questions about duck, goose, and swan hunting management to field experts
Prevent Illegal Shooting of Birds
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.

Report Birds with Federal Bands

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.
Central & Pacific Flyway Councils
Responsible for Migratory Bird Management
Hooded merganser drake. Credit USFWS.There are four administrative flyways in North America. Colorado is a member of both the Central and Pacific Flyways. 

Each Flyway Council is comprised of a representative of agencies responsible for migratory bird management in each member state, province or territory. Since the Flyway Council is the principal mechanism for dialog between the states and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) on migratory bird issues (including annual migratory game bird hunting regulations), each Council selects two of its members to carry and discuss its recommendations in a consultation process with the FWS. This process includes representatives from all flyways and frequently leads to the Service making proposals for the general public to comment on.

For more information, see the links to the Central and Pacific Flyway Council Web sites and more at www.flyways.us.
Federal Baiting Regulations
For Migratory Game Birds
Canada Goose landing, credit Pete WalkerWaterfowl and other migratory birds are a national resource protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Federal and State regulations help ensure that these birds continue to thrive while providing hunting opportunities.

Federal baiting regulations define key terms for hunters and land managers, and clarify conditions under which you may legally hunt waterfowl. As a waterfowl hunter or land manager, it is your responsibility to know and obey all Federal and State laws that govern the sport. State regulations can be more restrictive than Federal regulations. Waterfowl baiting regulations apply to ducks, geese, swans, coots, and cranes.

Federal regulations are more restrictive for waterfowl hunting than for hunting doves and other migratory game birds. You should carefully review the Federal regulations. See the U.S. Fish and Wildlife’s Waterfowl Hunting and Baiting Web page for more information.

Last Updated: 9/8/2010