1998 Bear Hunting Information
1998 Bear Hunting Information
1998 Bighorn Sheep Hunting Information
1998 Mule Deer Hunting Information
1998 Elk Hunting Information
1998 Moose Hunting Information
1998 Mountain Goat Hunting Information
1998 Mountian Lion Hunting Information
1998 Colorado Hunting Regulations
DOW Limited License Search
Information About Hunting Colorado
Public Hunting Areas
List of Colorado Outfitters
Pictures From Successful Hunters
Hunting Related Links of Interest

UPDATED FOR 1999!

BIG GAME
HUNTING REGULATIONS

DEFINITIONS

  • Over-the-Counter Licenses: unlimited; purchased over the counter at DOW offices and license agents.

  • Drawing Licenses: limited; only for specific units and dates; available only by application and drawing.

  • Additional Licenses: These are instances when you may have more than one license per species per year.

  • Left-over licenses: limited licenses remaining after the drawing, except antlered deer licenses.

  • Private-Land-Only Licenses: drawing licenses with "private land only" printed on them. Valid on all private land in a unit with prior approval from landowner. Not valid on public land, including State Trust Lands. Wildlife Ranching licenses not included.

  • Buck (Antlered) Deer: has an antler at least 5 inches long.

  • Doe (Antlerless) Deer:has no antlers or antlers less than 5 inches long.

  • Bull (Antlered) Elk: has an antler at least 5 inches long.

  • Cow (Antlerless) Elk: has no antlers or antlers less than 5 inches long.

  • Antler Point: projection of antler at least one inch long and longer than the width of its base.

  • Brow Tine: (elk) projection of antler at least 5 inches long on lower half of the antler. Projection is usually not more than, 8 inches from the skull.

  • Buck Antelope: has a black cheek patch and a horn or horns at least 5 inches long, from the skull to the tip, excluding a prong or point between the base and tip.

  • Doe Antelope: no horns or horns less than 5 inches long; no black cheek patch. Fawns of either sex are considered doe antelope.

LICENSE REQUIREMENTS

  1. You must comply with hunter education requirements in order to purchase or apply for a big game license.
  2. You must have a Conservation Certificate (CC) to hunt big game. Licenses are stamps that affix to the CC. If you lost your CC, call any DOW office. We'll send you a duplicate CC. Don't get a new CC from a license agent. You must use your home address; business addresses are illegal.
  3. You must carry your CC and license while hunting.
  4. You can hunt only the animal and season specified on the license.
  5. It is illegal to:
    1. give false information to obtain a CC or license.
    2. loan, transfer, sell or give your license to someone.
    3. alter your license, including signing or tearing off the carcass tag before a kill.
  6. If your license is lost or destroyed, you can get a duplicate from a DOW office by paying a fee of 1/2 the original license cost, up to $25.
  7. Licenses expire at the end of the season printed on it.

YOUTH BIG GAME LICENSES

Youths must be at least 12 years old and meet hunter education requirements to hunt deer, elk, antelope and black bear.Youths may apply for big game licenses at age 11 if they turn 12 before they go hunting. Youths, ages 12-15, can buy a reduced-cost license to hunt deer, elk and antelope. There is no reduced-cost license to hunt black bear. Youths can apply for a reduced-cost even if they turn 16 before the hunt. They must be accompanied by a "mentor" while hunting big game who must be 18 or older and must meet hunter education requirements. Mentors don't have to hunt. Youths and mentors must be able to see and hear each other while hunting. At age 16, youths must buy a regular license and can hunt alone.

YOUTH PREFERENCE LICENSES

  1. Up to 15 percent of the doe antelope, antlerless deer and antlerless elk licenses established for each unit will be available to qualified youths by application and drawing. Licenses not drawn by youths will be made available to the general public.
  2. Youths, 12-15, are entitled to youth hunt preference for the regular rifle seasons in #1 above if they submit an application for the desired license on the form in the brochure. Group applications not accepted. When more than one hunt code choice is shown on the application, both the first- and second-choice hunt codes must be for hunts that are eligible for youth preferences as described in #1 above.

CHILD SUPPORT DELINQUENCY

State law allows the suspension or denial of a hunting license for people who fail to pay your child support. The law also allows information from hunting license application to be shared with state child support enforcement agencies.

RESIDENCY QUALIFICATIONS

Who qualifies as a Colorado resident for a hunting license:

  1. Anyone who has lived here continuously at least six months immediately before applying for or buying a license and who intends to make Colorado home. (Except #2 below.)
  2. U.S. armed services personnel, military personnel of U.S. allies, U.S. Diplomatic Service personnel and diplomatic services of nations recognized by the U.S. Military personnel stationed here on permanent duty orders or who were residents of Colorado when they entered the military. Dependents of these groups also qualify. Active duty does not include personnel in reserve status or the National Guard.
  3. Full-time students enrolled and attending a Colorado college, university or trade school at least six months immediately before applying for or buying a license, including students temporarily absent from Colorado but still enrolled.
  4. Children under 18 have the same residency status as their custodial parent or legal guardian.

HUNTER EDUCATION (SAFETY)

Anyone born on or after January 1, 1949 must have completed an approved hunter education course or bowhunter education course (for archery licenses only) sanctioned by a state or province before applying for or purchasing a license. Colorado honors hunter education courses from other states and provinces. A hunter safety card must be present when purchasing a license over-the-counter at a license agency. You must carry your hunter education card when hunting, unless the words "Proof of Hunter Education Verified" were printed by the DOW on your CC.


HUNTERS WITH DISABILITIES

  1. The DOW also offers a special permit to qualifying disabled hunters that allows shooting from a motor vehicle or other reasonable accommodations in methods of take. Hunters must apply for the permit at least 30 days before hunting. The permits are free from the DOW. Permit applications are available at DOW offices in Denver, Colorado Springs, Ft. Collins, Grand Junction and Montrose.
  2. To qualify, hunters must have a disability that significantly impairs major life functions and results in functional impairment of their ability to hunt.
  3. The DOW also offers special hunting licenses to people with permanent physical impairment of major life functions resulting in functional impairment who also qualify for method-of-take accommodations. These are limited antlerless deer or antlerless elk or doe antelope licenses for the regular rifle seasons. Licenses are valid for a specific game management unit.
  4. Hunters with disabilities must have applied unsuccessfully for the same license through the regular drawing before applying for one of these special licenses.
  5. Qualifying hunters who did not become impaired until after the application period or whose physical condition has changed such that participation will be allowed but could not have been reasonably anticipated during the application period, may be issued these licenses.
  6. Applications will be accepted starting Aug. 10 at the limited license office, DOW, 6060 Broadway, Denver, 80216. Applications will be available through the last day of the season for which the species is being hunted. These licenses are issued first cone, first served.
  7. Applications must be accompanied by the appropriate license fee and a completed form provided by the DOW.
  8. All wildlife laws must be observed, including but not limited to bag and possession limits, hunting hours, hunter education requirements, daylight fluorescent orange clothing, shooting from or across a public road and antler-point restrictions.
  9. There are also a small number of Ranching for Wildlife licenses for qualifying disabled hunters.

LICENSE CUTOFF DATES
ARCHERY, MUZZLELOADING - No cutoff date for over-the-counter licenses.
RIFLE - 1st Combined............Oct. 8 (midnight)
RIFLE - 2nd Combined...........Oct. 15 (midnight)
RIFLE - 3rd Combined...........Oct. 29 (midnight)

After cutoff dates, licenses will only be sold at DOW offices.

HUNTING HOURS


One-half hour before sunrise to one half-hour after sunset, unless specifically restricted.


SEASON PARTICIPATION, BAG LIMITS

  1. For deer, elk, antelope and black bear, the bag limit is one of each species regardless of how or when you take it during a calendar year. See #7 for exceptions.

  2. You can apply for only one license per species a year.

  3. You can buy only one license per species a year. See #7 below for exceptions.

  4. If you want to hunt elk and deer in a combined rifle season, you must hunt both species in the same season. If applying for both species, be sure all deer and elk hunt codes are for the same combined rifle seasons, otherwise your application will be rejected. See #7.

  5. Hunters cannot hunt bear in any deer or elk season, including plains seasons, unless they also have a deer or elk license (filled or unfilled) valid for the same unit, time period and manner of take. If the deer or elk license is a private-land-only license, the bear license also is restricted to private land in that unit.

  6. Hunters with a limited bear license who don't harvest a bear in September can keep hunting bear in a combined rifle season provided they have a valid deer or elk license for the same season and unit.

  7. Exceptions:
    1. Deer, elk, black bear and antelope taken with an additional license are not part of the annual bag limit. Additional licenses are: private-land-onlylicenses for bear, deer, elk (except private-land-only antlered or either-sex elk), antelope and all limited antlerless rifle elk licenses for units 18, 27, 28, 37, 82, 181, 371.

    2. Animals taken on a license for a damage hunt are not part of the annual bag limit.

    3. Animals taken during a January or February hunting season established as part of the previous calendar year's hunting seasons are considered as the annual bag limit for the previous year.

    4. Animals taken on a Southern Ute Tribal Land permit don't count toward the annual bag limit.

    5. Big game accidentally taken by a hunter may not count as part of the bag limit if, before continuing to hunt and as soon as practical, you report the incident to the DOW. Accidental kill is unintentionally taking wildlife not due to carelessness or negligence. The DOW will make a determination based on the circumstances, including number of shot fired, species and number of animals present, firearms or ammunition, angle and distance of shot, topography, and weather.

    6. It is illegal to hunt game birds, small game mammals or furbearers during the three combined deer and rifle seasons west of I-25 with a centerfire rifle larger than .23 caliber unless hunters have deer or elk licenses for the season they are hunting.

LEGAL HUNTING METHODS


  1. CENTERFIRE RIFLES must:

    1. be .24 caliber (6 mm) or larger.

    2. have at least a 16-inch barrel and be at least 26 inches long.

    3. if semiautomatic, not hold more than 6 rounds in the magazine and chamber combined.

    4. use expanding bullets that weigh at least 70 grains for deer and antelope, 85 grains for elk and have an impact energy (at 100 yards) 1,000 ft. pounds rated by the manufacturer.

  2. FULLY AUTOMATIC RIFLES are prohibited.

  3. NEW FOR 1999 - MUZZLELOADING RIFLES & SMOOTHBORE MUSKETS:

    1. All muzzleloaders must be single-barrel and fired from the shoulder.

    2. All must fire a single round-ball or conical projectile the length of which does not exceed twice the diameter. Sabots are prohibited. Cloth patches are not sabots.

    3. Muzzleloaders must be .40-caliber or larger to hunt deer, antelope, bear, sheep and goat.

    4. Muzzleloaders must be .50-caliber or larger to hunt elk and moose.

    5. All muzzleloaders from .40 caliber to .50 caliber must use a bullet weighing at least 170 grains.

    6. All muzzleloaders greater than .50 caliber must use a bullet weighing at least 210 grains.

    7. Pelletized powder systems are prohibited during muzzleloading seasons.

    8. Those that can be loaded from the breech are prohibited during any muzzleloading season.

    9. Only open or iron sights are allowed.

  4. HAND-HELD BOWS must use arrows with a broadhead, which must be at least 7/8-inch wide and have at least 2 steel cutting edges. Each edge must be in the same plane for its entire length.

  5. SHOTGUNS must:

    1. be 20 gauge or larger.

    2. fire a single slug.

    3. have a minimum barrel length of 18 inches.

    4. have a minimum overall length of 26 inches.

  6. CROSSBOWS must:

    1. have a minimum draw weight of 125 lbs.

    2. have a minimum draw length of 14 inches from the front of the bow to the nocking point on drawstring.

    3. have a positive mechanical safety device.

    4. use a bolt at least 16 inches long, have a broadhead at least 7/8-inches wide and at least two steel cutting edges in the same plane.

    5. not be used in a regular archery season.

  7. HANDGUNS must:

    1. have a barrel at least 4 inches long.

    2. use a .24-caliber (6mm) or larger diameter expanding bullet.

    3. not have a shoulder stock or attachment.

    4. produce a minimum energy of 550 ft. pounds at 50 yards.

    5. Hunters can carry handguns in the field as long as the guns are not concealed.

  8. CALLS: Mechanical calls can be used to hunt big game. Mechanical calls include mouth calls. Electronic calls, such as amplified cassette players, are illegal.

WEAPONS RESTRICTIONS

  1. Under Colorado law, convicted felons are prohibited from possessing deadly firearms and weapons, including muzzleloaders. This statute applies to resident and nonresident hunters.

  2. Federal law prohibits anyone convicted of a crime of domestic violence, either felony or misdemeanor convictions, to possess a firearm. If the conviction was a misdemeanor, hunters can hunt in Colorado with muzzleloading or archery equipment. If the conviction was a felony, you cannot hunt with a deadly firearm or weapon, including muzzleloading. If you have questions about whether a crime falls in the category of domestic violence, contact the local district attorney. For questions about firearms, call the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, (303) 844-3421 in Denver.

IT'S ALSO AGAINST THE LAW TO:

  1. Have a loaded (in the chamber) rifle or shotgun in or on a motor vehicle, motorcycle, snowmobile, and all-terrain vehicle. Muzzleloading rifles cannot be primed, that is, cannot have a percussion cap on the nipple or powder in the flashpan.

  2. Hunt carelessly or discharge a forearm or release an arrow with disregard for human life or property.

  3. Operate or ride a snowmobile with a firearm unless it's unloaded and cased, or with a bow unless it is unstrung and cased. Compound bows must be cased, not unstrung.

  4. Shoot from or use a motor vehicle, motorcycle, all-terrain vehicle, snowmobile or aircraft to hunt, harass or drive wildlife.

  5. Use aircraft to hunt, to direct hunters on the ground or to hunt the same day or the day after a flight made to locate wildlife.

  6. Hunt under the influence of alcohol or controlled substance.

  7. Use artificial light to hunt wildlife. Having a firearm with cartridges in the chamber or magazine, or loaded with powder or a ball, or a strung, uncased bow while trying to project artificial light into an area where wildlife can be found is prima facie evidence of a violation.

  8. Use dogs or bait to hunt bears, deer, elk antelope or moose. Bait means to put, expose, deposit, distribute or scatter salt, minerals, grain, animal parts or other food so as to constitute a lure, attraction or enticement for big game on or over any area where hunters are attempting to take big game.

  9. Use poison, drugs or explosives to hunt or harass wildlife.

  10. Leave a fire that is not completely extinguished.

  11. Not to make a reasonable attempt to track and kill an animal you wounded. If the animal goes on private property, you must try to contact the landowner before pursuing it.

  12. Not wear at least 500 square inches of solid DAYLIGHT FLUORESCENT ORANGEmaterial in an outer garment above the waist while hunting deer, elk, antelope, bear or moose during a muzzleloading or rifle season. Part of the fluorescent orange must be a hat or head covering visible from all directions. Camouflage orange does not meet this requirement. Mesh garments are legal but not recommended. Bowhunters are not required to wear fluorescent orange during an archery season. The DOW strongly recommends wearing daylight fluorescent orange clothes in the field even if you're not hunting.

  13. Fail to use wildlife meat for human consumption. Internal organs are not considered edible portions.

  14. Shoot from, across or on a public road with a firearm, bow or crossbow. People firing a bow, rifle, handgun or shotgun with a single slug must be at least 50 feet from the centerline of the road.

  15. Party hunt (kill someone else's game or allow someone to kill your game).

  16. Interfere with hunters. That includes alarming, distracting or frightening prey; causing prey to flee by using light or noise; chasing prey on foot or by vehicle; throwing objects; making movements; harassing hunters by using threats or actions; erecting barriers to deny access to hunting areas and intentionally injecting yourself into the line of fire. Violators face criminal prosecution and may have to pay damages to the victim, as well as court costs.


FELONY HUNTING OFFENSES


  1. Killing and abandoning big game wildlife. Taking big game, removing only the hide, antlers or other trophy parts and leaving the carcass in the field are illegal.

  2. Selling, purchasing or offering to sell or purchase big game.

  3. Soliciting someone to illegally take big game for commercial gain or providing outfitting services without required registration.

  4. If convicted of these violations, you may face a life-time license suspension in Colorado.

CARCASS TAG


You must attach your carcass tag to any big game animal you kill. Instructions are on the carcass tag. If you lose, accidentally destroy or inadvertently detach the tag, you must get a duplicate before hunting. To get a duplicate, you must prove the loss, detachment or destruction was accidental.


EVIDENCE OF SEX, ANTLER-POINTS


  1. It is illegal to have or transport a big game carcass without evidence of sex naturally attached. It is not legal just to have the evidence of sex accompany the carcass.

  2. Evidence of sex is:

    1. Buck/Bull: Head attached to carcass with antlers or horns; attached testicle, scrotum or penis.

    2. Dow/Cow: Head attached to carcass, udder (mammary) or vulva.

    3. Black Bear: Male bear: testicles or baculum. Female bear: vulva.

  3. A head detached from the carcass is not adequate evidence of sex.

  4. If a carcass is cut in pieces or deboned, evidence of sex only needs to be attached to one-quarter or another major part of the carcass. All portions must be transported together.

  5. Evidence of sex is not required when a donation certificate accompanies less than 20 lbs. of meat or after the carcass is cut into processed meat (commercially or otherwise) cut, wrapped and frozen, or stored at licensee's home.

  6. Deer and elk antler-point compliance:

    1. If you leave the head with its antlers at a taxidermist, you must get a receipt from the taxidermist. The receipt must list the date delivered and describe the antlers before you take the carcass home or to a commercial processor.

    2. The head or skull plate, with both antlers naturally attached, must accompany the carcass of a buck or bull while in camp or being transported - even when the scrotum or testicles are used to meet evidence of sex requirements. (Except as in "a" above.)


TRANSPORTING GAME


  1. You can be liable for illegally transported game animals even if someone else made the error, When you transport carcasses or processes game meat, be sure:

    1. carcasses are properly tagged and that evidence of sex and antler-point requirements are met. Hunters must keep their own CC and license stamp.

    2. all processed game meat is accompanied and accounted for by the proper carcass tags or donation certificates.

  2. Carcass tag must be securely attached to the carcass, not the antlers or accompany processed game meat.

  3. To ship game by commercial carrier, the license, a photocopy of the license, carcass tag or donation certificate must accompany the carcass or processed meat.

  4. Your game will have less chance of spoiling and you will not hurt the image of hunters if you transport your game properly. Openly displayed game carcasses can be offensive to others.

DONATING GAME MEAT


Note: a "like license" is a license for exactly the same species, sex, season and method of hunting as a donor's license.
  1. You can donate to a person without a like license:

    1. up to 20 lbs. of unprocessed meat, at any location.

    2. more than 20 lbs. unprocessed meat , only at the recipient's home.

  2. You can donate to a person with a "like license:"

    1. up to 20 lbs of unprocessed meat, at any location.

    2. more than 20 pounds of unprocessed meat, at any location, ONLY IF:

      1. the recipient's license is unfilled and

      2. the recipient puts his own carcass tag on the meat. This establishes the recipient's claim to his portion of the meat and voids his license. The donor's tag must remained with his portion.

      3. if the entire carcass is donated, the donor's carcass tag and the recipient's like license must be attached to the carcass.

  3. Processed and packaged game meat can be donated in any amount to anyone anywhere.

  4. Donations require a donation certificate with names, addresses and telephone numbers of donor and recipient; hunting license number of donor; species and amounts donated; date animal was killed; signature of donor. The certificate can be a simple note. There is no special format. The certificate must be kept with the meat until it is completely consumed.

  5. Donor and recipient are subject to all bag and possession limits


BANDED ANIMALS

Please send us the lower jaw from ear-tagged deer killed in the White River drainage around Meeker (units 11, 12, 13, 22, 23, 24 and 211). If you shoot an animal with a collar or ear tag, advised the DOW.


BEAR HUNTING RESTRICTIONS

  1. Bait and dogs are prohibited for bear hunting.

  2. It is illegal to sell, trade, barter or offer to sell, trade or barter bear gall bladders or the edible portions of a bear.

  3. It is illegal to kill cubs or a black bear accompanied by one or more cubs. A cub is a bear less than a year old.

  4. It is illegal to kill a grizzly bear.

BLACK BEARS - INSPECTION AND SEALS

Hunters must present black bears to the DOW for inspection and sealing within 5 days after the kill. Bear hides must be unfrozen when presented for inspection. A check report must be completed at inspection. No fee is required. The seal must stay attached to the hide until tanned. Black bears cannot he taken out of Colorado until hide and skull are inspected and sealed. Possessing a bear hide without a seal after the 5-day period is illegal, and hide becomes state property. Inspection and sealing can be arranged by contacting the nearest DOW office or officer. To transport any part of a bear to a foreign country, you must first obtain the proper CITES document. Contact the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service in Denver, (303) 236-7540 for details.


BEAR-RESISTANT CONTAINERS

Some campgrounds in the San Juan and Rio Grande national forests require people to store all food, garbage, pet food and bird feed in approved bear-proof containers or in a bear resistant manner, such as in a car trunk, or hard-sided vehicle or camper. For information, call, (970) 247-4874.


LION AND BEAR PARTS

Possession of the carcass, hide, skull, claws or any part of a bear or mountain lion is prohibited unless authorized by the DOW or the animal was taken by a licensed hunter in an established season.


OTHER LAND - USE RULES

AREAS CLOSED TO HUNTING

  1. Hunting is prohibited 1/2 mile either side of the center line of the Mt. Evans Hwy. (Colo.5) from Echo Lake to the summit, all of Summit Lake Cirque and most of Summit Lake Flats.
  2. National wildlife refuges also may have restrictions. Consult specific refuge.
  3. Hunting is prohibited within 50 feet of the centerline of a federal, state or county road or highway. Lands between divided highways are closed to hunting.
  4. In the Gore Creek drainage south of 1-70 (to the top of the ridge), west of the Lions Head ski lift at Vail, east of 1-70 and Hwy 24; on the north side of 1-70 (within 1/2 mile of 1-70), west of the Vail 1-70 interchange, east of 1-70 and Hwy 24.
  5. National parks and national monuments are closed to hunting.


JAMES M. JOHN SWA

During the three combined rifle seasons, access is only allowed to big game hunters with access permits, issued by drawing. No more than 10 hunters a day permitted, and no more than 2 per group. Apply for an access permit at DOW, 600 Reservoir Rd, Pueblo, (719) 561-4909. Application deadline is July 1. Successful applicants will be notified by mail. Permits will be issued during the entire 1st season; the first half of the 2nd season; second half of the 2nd season; the first five days of 3rd season and last four days of 3rd season.


PRIVATE LAND

It is illegal to hunt on private land without first obtaining permission from the landowner or person in charge.


CLOSURE OF PUBLIC LANDS

No one may post, sign or indicate in any way that public lands, not under an exclusive-control lease, are private.


FORT CARSON (part of unit 591) or
PINON CANYON MANEUVER SITE (unit 142)

Limited licenses available by the DOW's drawing. Successful applicants must buy a Fort Carson access permit and attend a mandatory safety orientation briefing before hunting. Hunting may occur only on days, in areas and by manner of take authorized by Fort Carson Military Reservation. Military training has priority over hunter access. Contact the Fort Carson Wildlife Branch, (719) 576-8074 or (719) 576-8075 before applying for a license.


STATE LAND BOARD PROPERTIES

It is illegal to hunt or fish on Land Board properties not leased and signed by DOW or without the permission of lessee.


CERTIFIED HAY

Hay, straw or mulch must be certified as noxious weed free to have, store or use on federal lands and DOW properties. All certified materials must be clearly marked by the certifying state or province. People who transport these materials on federal, state or county roads that cross DOW property are exempt from this regulation. Contact, Colorado Dept. of Agriculture, (303) 239-4140, the Forest Service or BLM for information.

CHECK STATIONS

The DOW sets up check stations and cooperates with other states during hunting seasons to gather biological information and enforce laws. All vehicles must stop whether or not they are transporting big game.


CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE INFORMATION AND REGULATIONS

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is relatively rare in wild deer and elk. Ongoing surveys show that on average CWD affects 3 percent of deer and far less than 1 percent of elk in 13 units in northeast Colorado. It appears prevalent in northeastern Larimer County. CWD has not been detected in numerous other GMUs where intensive surveys have been conducted. CWD causes brain damage in deer and elk. Affected animals are emaciated, behave abnormally, salivate excessively and eventually die. There is no evidence CWD affects domestic livestock.

There also is no evidence CWD affects humans, but the DOW and state public health officials advise hunters to take simple precautions when handling the carcass of a deer or elk harvested in units where it occurs. Wear rubber gloves when field dressing carcasses and minimize handling of brain and spinal tissues and wash hands afterwards. Hunters should bone out carcasses or at least avoid consuming brain, spinal cord, eyes, spleen and lymph nodes of harvested animals. Hunters should not handle or consume wild animals that appear sick. If you see or kill a deer or elk that may have CWD, contact the DOW in Fort Collins, (970) 472-4371. You can also request a brochure from us on CWD.


MANDATORY HEAD SUBMISSIONS

  1. Hunters who harvest deer during any rifle seasons in units 6, 7, 8, 9, 16, 17, 19, 20, 29, 87, 94, 161, 171 and191 must submit the heads to the DOW for sampling within 5 days after harvest. Take the head to any DOW officer in those units or drop it at one of these locations:
    Denver, DOW, 6060 Broadway
    Estes Park, Estes Park Power Plant, US 36.
    Evans, parking area of Browner SWA, 1 mile E of Evans on 37th St., E and N of Platte River bridge.
    Fort Collins, DOW, 317 W. Prospect
    Fort Collins, Reliable Game Processing, 919 N. US 287.
    Laramie, WY, Wyoming State Vet Lab, Snowy Range Road and Interstate 80.
    Livermore, CR 74E and US 287.
    Loveland, DOW, Lon Hagler, 4207 CR 16 E.
    Loveland, Colorado Game Processing, 1106 E. 1st Street.
    Lyons, Ted's True Value Hardware, US 36 and Colorado 66.
    Masonville, CR 27 and 38 E.
    Ted's Place, Colorado 14 and US 287.
    Waldon U.S. Forest Service, 100Main St.

  2. Hunters who harvest deer in the units listed in #1 must complete a special survey tag at the locations listed above. The tag must be securely attached to the animal's head before the head is presented to a DOW officer or is taken to a drop-off site.

  3. Hunters can remove antlers and capes from harvested deer before submitting heads for sampling. Trophy heads can be sampled by appointment by calling (970) 472-4371. Mounts other than European should be caped before sampling.

  4. The surveys provide information on CWD occurrence in northeast Colorado deer. Sampling and testing procedures are neither designed nor intended to provide quality assurance for individual carcasses. When adequate information is provided, hunters will be notified by mail of preliminary test results and will be asked for more information on harvest location. Six to ten weeks may be required to complete sampling and testing.

  5. Hunters harvesting deer that test positive for CWD will be offered a refund of their license fees. Game processing fees and other incidental expenses are not eligible for refunds.


    OFF HIGHWAY VEHICLES

    REGISTRATION

    Off-highway-vehicles, including ATVs, must be registered with the Colorado Division of Parks for $15.25 a year. Colorado recognizes off-highway vehicles registered in other states. Out-of-state hunters with OHVs must show registration from their state. If not registered in another state, your ATV must be registered here. Contact Colorado State Parks Registration Unit, 13787 5. Hwy. 85, Littleton, CO 80125, (303) 791-1920. You can also register at State Parks regional offices and most OHV dealers.


    LEGAL USE OF ATVs

    Off-highway vehicles are legal in Colorado. On DOW, Forest Service and BLM lands, ATVs fall under the same regulations as other motor vehicles and are allowed on established roads and trails with route markers. ATVs are illegal in wilderness areas. They may be driven off roads or trails only when allowed by the governing land management agency. It is illegal to hunt, chase, pursue or harass wildlife with an ATV. Firearms must be unloaded while on an ATV.


    RESPONSIBLE USE OF ATVs

    Please use your ATV responsibly while hunting in Colorado. Be considerate of fellow hunters, so you don't scare off an animal someone else had hoped to harvest. Stay on designated trails and roads. Don't take shortcuts and create new trails. Avoid sensitive areas, such as streambanks, lake shores and meadows. Cross streams only at intersections with roads or trails. Pull over to the side of the road and shut off your engine to let horses, hikers and bikers pass. Stay clear of game animals so that the ATV noise and close proximity don't stress the animals. Contact land management agencies to find out what's open to ATVs. Honor gates, fences and barriers erected to protect the resource, wildlife and livestock.

    HUNTERS BRINGING HORSES

    You must contact a veterinarian to get a Certificate of Health Inspection 30 days before entering Colorado. Horses also need a Coggins Blood Test for equine infectious anemia within a year before coming here. Questions, call the Colorado State Veterinarian's office, (303) 239-4161.


    HARVEST SURVEYS

    If you buy a license this year, you may get a harvest survey. It may be a postcard mailed to you or a telephone survey. The survey is used to set next year's hunting seasons. Note what units you hunt.


    TRAVELING BY COMMERCIAL AIRCRAFT

    Check with your travel agent or airline to find out the laws for transporting firearms and knives.


    GUIDES AND OUTFITTERS

    Guides and outfitters in Colorado must have permits to operate on federal land and must register with the Office of Outfitter Registration, 1560 Broadway, Suite 1340, Denver, CO 80202, (303) 894-7778.



Mt. LionMountain Lion InformationLimited License DrawLimited License Draw
Use Your BACK button on your browser to return here.
Not responsible for typo errors, omissions, or changes to regulations not stated here.
This page hosted by   Get your own Free Home Page


Copyright (c) 1997 All rights reserved.
1