Harvest Information Program

The Harvest Information Program (HIP) is a joint USFWS/CPW program designed to improve small game and migratory bird harvest estimates. Colorado requires all small game hunters to sign up to help Colorado Parks and Wildlife better estimate harvest for species that are difficult to address through a general small game survey. The program provides both your state and federal wildlife agencies with information necessary to justify and maintain the hunting seasons you now enjoy. Without accurate harvest information, it will become increasingly difficult to maintain seasons for those small game species which have proven to be very difficult to estimate annual harvest.

Who Needs to Register?

Hunters must register and get a Harvest Information Program number before hunting:

Small game
Migratory birds
Falconers
Coyotes
Hunters planning to use their small game license to hunt or trap will need to register before they can legally hunt or trap
Hunters that pursue furbearers (excluding coyotes) are no longer required to register
If you will not hunt small game in Colorado during the season, you do not need to register
If you are using your small game license as a qualifying license for the big game applications only, and will not hunt small game in Colorado in 2024, you do not need to register.
Spring turkey hunters do not need to register.

Hunting Band-tailed Pigeon and Sandhill Crane

While you are purchasing your small game license and completing HIP, please remember to add a band-tailed pigeon and/or sandhill crane permit to your cart prior to completing your purchase, if applicable. If you didn’t obtain a sandhill crane permit number, Go to cpwshop.com or visit a Colorado Parks and Wildlife office or license vendor to obtain your sandhill crane permit. CPW has replaced the sandhill crane HIP registration number with a sandhill crane permit in CPW’s license system. HIP will provide you with the opportunity to obtain your sandhill crane permit online or over the phone, negating the need for you to come into the office and obtain a permit(s).

How to Get a Harvest Information Program Number

Beginning March 1, hunters can sign up for a Harvest Information Program number for the new hunting season. Hunters can still register anytime after March 1, but must have the number before hunting small game, migratory birds, or coyotes in Colorado during the season.

If hunters do not have a HIP number they may be warned and then ticketed for non-compliance with the program:

Hunters will have to pay a $70.52 fine
5 points will be assessed against hunting privileges

Online

When you purchase your small game license on our website cpwshop.com , just add HIP to your cart, along with other permits you may need. Once you select HIP, you will need to complete your registration by answering a series of questions. Your HIP validation will print on your license when you complete your small game purchase.

Phone

Call 1-855-521-3050 to register for HIP. Note, this is an automated phone system, and not the live operator system we have used in past years. In addition, you must have already purchased a small game license to register online or via this automated phone service. We recommend having your license in front of you when you call as it will ask for your CID #.

Purchased a License from an External Agent

In this case, HIP will not print on your paper license, but a HIP registration will be present on your account and print on future licenses. After you buy your license you must go online to cpwshop, log in to your account, and add HIP to your cart to access the HIP questionnaire or go in to any CPW office that sells licenses and complete the survey to add the HIP registration to your account. You can also complete the HIP registration via the automated phone system at 1-855-521-3050.

Special Licenses and Permit Holders

Special license and permit holders are able to sign up in Colorado’s HIP using their license or permit numbers. They just need to press the appropriate key or click on the appropriate web choice when asked by the system how they would like to sign up. Hunters who apply for a Disability License will be informed that they should sign up for HIP annually at the time they receive their license.

Hearing Impared Hunters

Simply log in to your account at cpwshop.com, add HIP to your cart and complete the HIP questionnaire to register.