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Colorado hunting regulations allow for unlimited take of snow geese east of I-25 from Feb. 13 thru April 30.  The requirement to purchase a federal waterfowl hunting stamp has been waived and hunters are allowed to use unplugged shotguns and electronic calls.

Hunters are reminded that unplugged shotguns are permitted during the Light Goose Conservation Order season only and may not be used for any other species or season dates. 

Special conservation order hunting regulations remain in effect until April 30. Hunters who choose to remove plugs from their shotguns must replace them prior to next year's fall hunting seasons. For more information, visit the light goose hunting frequently asked questions page.

According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, populations of greater and lesser snow geese and Ross's geese have grown to historic highs. Collectively called "light geese," they are causing massive destruction to their summer home on the fragile arctic tundra to the point it may take decades to recover.

Since implementation of the liberal harvest regulations in 1999, the harvest of light geese has increased, but the goal of decreasing the population of light geese has yet to be attained.

The Saturday afternoon hunting clinic is part of the tenth annual High Plains Snow Goose Festival.  For more information, visit the Snow Goose Festival website.

Bring Out Your Easels!
Waterfowl Stamp Program Helps Fund Wetlands Projects

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Colorado Parks and Wildlife is soliciting original artwork entries for the 2012 Colorado Waterfowl Stamp Art Contest.

The Colorado Waterfowl Stamp program provides funding to conserve wetlands for waterfowl and other wetland-dependent wildlife. Waterfowl hunters 16 years of age and older are required by state law to purchase a waterfowl stamp validation annually before hunting. In addition to hunters, many collectors aid in wetland conservation by purchasing collector stamps and prints that are created from the winning entry.

All revenue generated from the sale of the hunter version of the Waterfowl Stamp - more than $6.7 million to date - is used to fund wetlands projects throughout the state. Almost 20,000 acres of wetlands have been protected with Waterfowl Stamp funds so far. In 2011, waterfowl stamp funds were used to help improve water management at the Andrick Ponds State Wildlife Area in Morgan County, which is managed as a quality waterfowl-hunting property.

The first place winner will receive $3,500, second place receives $1,000 and third place receives $500. Entries will be accepted through Friday, March 2, 2012, 4:00 p.m. MST. The winner will be announced by Monday, March 26, 2012.

Contest applications and program information can be found on the Waterfowl Stamp page.

Waterfowl Brochure, Walk-In Atlas, and Season Dates

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For hunters excited about waterfowl hunting, there's a lot of resources available. 2011-2012 season dates are up, and the 2011 Waterfowl Brochure  is available. You might also want to check out the 2011 interactive brochure. 

For hunters interested in the Walk-In Access Program, there's also a 2011 Interactive Atlas and a standard Walk-In Atlas . Both versions incorporate a new look this year.

If you're looking for the right place to hunt geese and ducks, these maps depict Colorado's huntable areas for duck  and goose  seasons, as well as flyways and duck season zones.

Waterfowl Counts on the South Platte River Corridor
Northeastern Colorado

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As part of an on-going research project on duck hunting management, aerial waterfowl counts   are being conducted monthly during the duck hunting season (October-January) along the South Platte River corridor from Greeley to the Colorado-Nebraska state line.  Summaries of these counts will be posted to provide information on the overall numbers and distribution of ducks and geese in this area.  Keep in mind that these counts are a general indicator of where waterfowl are and that they move often.  The research project and the monthly hunting season counts are expected to continue for 2-3 more years.

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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.

License Requirements

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Licenses are valid 4/1/11 - 3/31/12 for small game, combination fishing and hunting, Colorado waterfowl stamp and habitat stamps. They are available for purchase 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 State and  Federal Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp, or duck stamp, to hunt waterfowl. Federal stamps are available at post offices and Division offices. The State stamps are available at all Divisions offices, from license agents, online, and by phone at 1-800-244-5613. 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 federal stamp to arrive in the mail. A federal stamp is not required to take light geese during the conservation order season.

Anyone aged 18 through 64 must buy a habitat stamp in order to buy or apply for a hunting or fishing license. The state stamp is printed on your license. The stamp is valid when you sign your name in ink across the face of it. For more information, see habitat stamp.

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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.

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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.

• 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

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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.

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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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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.

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Waterfowl 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.