Elk - In the Field
Navigate to:
Cows and Bull Elk
Hunting Elk
In the Field
There are telltale ways to tell different animals apart. Don’t just look at an animal’s antlers, study the entire head and body of an animal before you shoot.
Elk Identification
■ Body: reddish, lighter brown, darker legs
■ Neck: chestnut brown
■ Snout: slender
■ Rump: pale yellow
■ Bulls: antlers aren't palmated and have obvious brow tines coming off the main beam
ATTENTION! Moose can be found in the same habitat as elk in Colorado. Elk hunters must know the difference between the two species to avoid accidentally killing a moose.
Know Before You Go
Road Closures
The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) are in charge of road closures. Roads are closed seasonally for many reasons. Some roads are closed to protect wildlife at critical times of the year; others are closed because they are not passable due to snow, snow drifts and ice or to protect the road bed. Please be aware that road closure information is subject to change daily.
Fire Restrictions and Prescribed Burns
Colorado is a high wildfire area, and there are often fire restriction and/or bans around the state. Some planned, or prescribed, burns occur during hunting seasons, which can lead to road closures. Closures of areas can change quickly (even daily or hourly) and your hunting destination or access route may be affected. Prior to license purchase, scouting or hunting, learn about closures and plan alternative routes and areas to hunt.
Firewood
If you’ll be camping during your hunting trip, please help protect our forests by buying your firewood in Colorado. Firewood can spread harmful insect pests and diseases such as emerald ash borer, sirex wood wasp, gypsy moth, Asian longhorned beetle and oak wilt disease. If you have firewood from another state, please burn it immediately. For more information, visit our Invasive Species pages or contact the Colorado Department of Agriculture at (303) 239-4140.
Altitude Sickness
Learn about altitude sickness: what it is, the symptoms, how to lessen your chances of being affected, and treatments. The lowest point in Colorado is 3,317 feet above sea level, so altitude sickness can affect you even if you aren't venturing into Colorado's high country.
Information to Leave for Friends and Family
Each member of the hunting party should provide contact information, a schedule with planned locations, and other information that can be used to locate the person to their family or friends. Instruct family members and/or friends on the procedure to follow should it be necessary to contact you in an emergency.
Register Your Off Highway Vehicle
All off-highway vehicles operated in Colorado on public lands or traveling on an OHV-designated route must have a valid Colorado OHV registration or permit. Vehicle use is limited to transporting hunters and downed game.
Find out more
Safety First
Hunter Orange and Pink
HUNTERS MUST WEAR FLUORESCENT ORANGE OR PINK DURING CERTAIN HUNTING SEASONS.
The law requires hunters to wear at least 500 square inches of solid daylight fluorescent orange or fluorescent pink material on an outer garment above the waist while hunting deer, elk, pronghorn, moose or bear with any firearm license. A fluorescent orange or pink hat or head covering, visible from all directions, is also required. Camouflage orange or pink does not qualify. Mesh garments are legal but not recommended. This includes all muzzleloader hunters. It also includes archery hunters who hunt during rifle seasons.
Archers hunting during the limited Sept. rifle bear season, archers with an archery bear, deer, elk, pronghorn or moose license, and archers licensed for private land hunting through the Ranching for Wildlife program do not have to wear fluorescent orange or pink, but should consider wearing it to increase safety while in the field.
Auction- and raffle-license holders do not have to wear orange or pink when hunting with archery equipment when no rifle seasons are open. If using a ground blind or pop-up blind, hunters should display orange or pink that is visible from all directions on the outside of the blind.
CPW RECOMMENDS WEARING FLUORESCENT ORANGE OR PINK CLOTHES IN THE FIELD, EVEN IF NOT HUNTING.
Archery deer, elk, moose and bear hunters are encouraged to wear hunter orange or pink during the overlapping archery and muzzleloader seasons to help address safety concerns. Wearing orange or pink is for hunter safety, as big-game animals don’t see these colors like we do: Movement, sound and smell are what give hunters away.
Know the Rules
Hunters play a key role in supporting wildlife management efforts in Colorado and nationwide. Today, the revenue generated from hunting and fishing activities constitutes about 70 percent of CPW's wildlife management funds.
Hunters and nonhunters alike should show respect and courtesy to all users engaged in outdoor recreation activities.
The Top 10 Most Common Hunting Violations in Colorado
-
Trespassing
Going onto private lands without getting permission first while hunting, fishing or performing any related activity is illegal. Private lands do not need to be posted or fenced, so it can be difficult to see boundaries. Violators may be suspended for up to 5 years for trespassing. This includes State Land Board properties not leased and signed to CPW, unless permission is given by the lessee. You must have permission from the landowner to enter private land to retrieve a harvested animal. First, you should try to contact the landowner on your own. If that effort fails, call the local CPW office.
-
Failing to make a reasonable attempt to track and kill animals you wound or may have wounded.
Remember that it’s against the law to pursue wounded wildlife that goes on private property without first obtaining permission from the landowner or person in charge. You must still attempt to gain permission to enter and locate the animal.
-
Failing to reasonably dress, care for, prepare and provide edible wildlife meat for human consumption.
At a minimum, the four quarters, tenderloins and backstraps are edible meat. Internal organs are not considered edible meat.
-
Hunting without a proper license.
Anyone who hunts wildlife must have in their possession the appropriate and valid Colorado resident or nonresident license that includes their Customer Identification (CID) number, and must only harvest wildlife of the species and type indicated on the license.
-
Mistakenly killing wildlife.
You must report big-game animals unintentionally killed, not due to carelessness or negligence to a CPW office (or a local Sheriff’s office after CPW regular hours) before continuing the hunt and as soon as practical. Before contacting CPW, field dress the animal. CPW evaluates the circumstances, including shots fired, species and number of animals present, firearms, ammunition, etc. Big game accidentally killed does not count toward annual bag limits.
-
Not showing evidence of sex.
Be sure to leave evidence of sex naturally attached to the carcass. Evidence includes the head, the vulva or the scrotum.
-
Carrying loaded firearms while in or on any motor vehicle.
Firearms must be unloaded in the chamber. Muzzleloading rifles are considered unloaded if the percussion cap or shotshell primer is removed, or if the powder is removed from the flashpan. It is illegal for anyone to have a loaded electronic ignition muzzleloader in or on a motor vehicle; the chamber must be unloaded or the battery must be disconnected and removed from its compartment. Most accidents involving firearms occur in or near vehicles.
-
Carrying loaded firearms (except handguns) must be unloaded in the chamber and magazine.
Firearms (except handguns) and bows must be fully enclosed in a hard or soft case. Scabbards or cases with open ends or sides are prohibited. This does not apply to landowners or their agents who carry a firearm on an OHV to take depredating wildlife on property they own or lease.
-
Improperly voiding and/or attaching a carcass tag.
You must sign and detach the carcass tag from your hunting license immediately following taking your animal. It is illegal to sign or tear the carcass tag before harvest. The tag must also be attached to the animal properly.
-
Shooting from or across 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.
If hunting elk, be sure what you shoot is an elk and not a moose. Hunters should look at several attributes (head, body and antler conformation, color) before pulling the trigger.
- Moose have a dark, black-brown body with an overhanging snout, a bell on the throat and whitish, gray legs.
- Elk have a red-brown body, chestnut brown neck, pale yellow rump and slender snout.
Shooting a Moose Accidentally
Colorado Parks and Wildlife handles accidental kills that are reported immediately differently than when a hunter leaves the animal in the field and is apprehended by other means.
If you shoot a moose accidentally, please report it to the nearest Colorado Parks and Wildlife office or officer. The animal should be field dressed immediately to prevent spoilage of the meat.
The fine for illegally killing a moose is $1,370. If you observe someone, or know of someone, illegally shooting a moose, report it to wildlife authorities immediately. Provide as much information as possible about the circumstances, including the incident location and description or identity of the shooter.
It is illegal in Colorado for anyone to prevent or interfere with an individual’s ability to participate in hunting and trapping.
This includes, but is not limited to, 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.
If, while hunting, you feel you are being harassed, remain calm and composed, avoiding confrontation or arguing. You should seek assistance from law enforcement personnel. Contact the nearest Colorado Parks and Wildlife office, the Colorado State Patrol, or the local police or sheriff’s department. Report incidents immediately or as soon after their occurrence as is reasonable.
Penalties upon conviction for this misdemeanor include a fine between $500 and $1000, twenty license-suspension points, damages, and court costs.
If convicted of these violations, you may face a life-time hunting license suspension in Colorado.
- Killing and abandoning big game wildlife. It is illegal to remove only the hide, antlers or other trophy parts and leave the carcass in the field.
- Selling, purchasing, or offering to sell or purchase big game.
- Soliciting someone to illegally take big game for commercial gain or providing outfitting services without required registration.
virtual scouting tool
The Colorado Hunting Atlas
The Colorado Hunting Atlas allows users to view big game concentrations and game management units on top of street maps, USGS topographic maps or high resolution color aerial photography. The Hunter Resource Report allows hunters to create a list of important emergency and contact information, field office locations, campgrounds, CPW sales agents and more.
Report Mistakes
If you make a mistake, your best course of action is to contact an officer as soon as possible. While you will still be subject to penalties, they could be less severe if the officer determines that you are cooperative, that the error was not intentional, or that it was unavoidable given the circumstances.
Find an Office
Call the nearest Colorado Parks and Wildlife office and they will assist you with finding the appropriate officer in your area.
Find out moreColorado State Patrol
For after-hours emergencies, call the Colorado State Patrol at 303-239-4501.
Find out moreHarvesting an Elk
Get the Lead Out.
To help reduce human and wildlife health impacts, you can:
- Use lead-free shot or bullets. There are many non-lead options now available.
- Hunters who use lead ammunition should choose quality hunting-grade ammunition with a “bonded” or “partition” construction. Avoid frangible bullet types.
- Use careful shot selection. Bullets that strike the lethal area (heart/lungs) are less likely to fragment than bullets that strike more heavily boned areas.
- Bury or pack out your lead-shot gut piles to avoid lead ingestion by non-target wildlife.
- Avoid eating game meat from animals harvested with lead bullets if you are pregnant. Children younger than 6 should also avoid it.
For more information, please visit the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment website and view the Lead in Harvested Wild Game and Lead in Indoor Shooting and Firing Ranges pages.
Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment and Colorado Parks and Wildlife
Reporting a Harvest
Hunters are not required to bring their harvest in for inspection.
Ear Tags and Radio Collars
If you shoot an animal with a collar or ear tag, report the number, color, harvest location and date to CPW, and return the radio collars.
Mark Your Harvest Site with Your GPS
Hunters who have GPS units are encouraged to mark the location of their harvest in the field. This is especially important for hunters who harvest a moose or bear, as these species require mandatory inspections. During mandatory inspections, hunters will be asked to give a location of their harvest. Having GPS coordinates makes reporting simple and precise. Use your GPS to set a waypoint where you harvest an animal and save the UTM or longitude and latitude coordinates. Bring that information to record on the check report form during harvest inspections.
What can I do to help with CWD?
- Keep hunting! Hunting is the single most effective tool wildlife managers have to monitor and manage the spread of CWD.
- Hunter harvest is CPW’s primary management tool for controlling CWD.
- By submitting harvested animals for CWD sampling, Colorado’s hunters provide critical information about where and how CWD is impacting deer, elk, and moose herds in the state.
- Hunters are critical to conservation efforts across the state and protecting our wildlife heritage.
Antler Point Restrictions
An antler point is a projection of the antler at least 1 inch long and which is longer than the width of its base. A brow tine means a projection of the antler at least 5 inches long located on the lower half of the antler.
- Bull elk taken in all seasons must have four points or more on one antler or a brow tine of at least 5 inches long in GMUS: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 47, 52, 53, 54, 55, 59, 60, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 85, 86, 131, 140, 161, 171, 181, 191, 211, 214, 231, 301, 361, 371, 411, 421, 441, 444, 471, 511, 521, 551, 581, 591, 681, 691, 711, 741, 751, 771, 851 and 861
- There are no antler-point restrictions in GMUs: 1, 2, 10, 20, 29, 39, 40, 46, 48, 49, 50, 51, 56, 57, 58, 61, 69, 76, 84, 201, 391, 461, 481, 500, 501, 561, 682, 791, Ranching for Wildlife properties or units east of I-25 (except unit 140). Antlers must meet the minimum length of 5 inches long.
Handling Antlers in Camp
Head or skull plate, with both antlers naturally attached, must accompany the carcass of bulls in camp or in transit even when the scrotum or testicles are used as evidence of sex.
Detach and sign the carcass tag only AFTER harvesting your animal. You must then attach the tag to the carcass (not to the head or antlers).
Carcass Tags
- You must attach a carcass tag to animals you harvest per instructions on tag. Tags must be signed, dated and detached from the license immediately upon harvest. See image at right for where to sign.
- The carcass tag should be attached to the carcass (not to detached hides, horns or antlers carried separately) immediately prior to and during transportation in any vehicle, or while in camp or at a residence or other place of storage. If carcass is in pieces, it is recommended to attach carcasss tag to the piece with evidence of sex naturally attached. Tags must stay on until meat is processed and remain with meat until consumed.
- The carcass tag, when dated, signed and attached to the species lawfully taken or killed and lawfully in possession, authorizes the possession, use, storage, and transportation of the carcass, or any part thereof.
- It is illegal to sign the tag before harvesting an animal.
- Do not remove any parts of a license except the carcass tag only after harvest. Doing so voids the license and you must buy a duplicate. The upper part of the license must be kept by whoever harvested the animal.
- If you lose, accidentally destroy or detach the tag, you must buy a duplicate from a CPW office before hunting and prove the loss, detachment or destruction was accidental.
- If you have a nonresident big game/fishing combo license, the fishing license is valid after the carcass tag is detached, as long as the rest of the license is intact.
Evidence of Sex
- It is illegal to have or transport a big-game carcass without evidence of sex naturally attached. It is illegal to have only detached evidence of sex accompany the carcass. If you submit an elk head for CWD testing, leave evidence of sex on the carcass.
- Evidence of sex is:
A. Bull: Head with antlers attached to carcass; or testicle, scrotum or penis attached to carcass.
B. Cow: Head, udder (mammary) or vulva attached to carcass. - Heads detached from carcass are not adequate evidence of sex.
- If a carcass is cut in pieces or deboned, evidence of sex needs to be attached to a quarter or another major part of carcass. All portions must be transported together.
- Evidence of sex is not required if a donation certificate accompanies less than 20 pounds of meat or after the carcass is cut into processed meat, wrapped and frozen, or stored at the licensee’s home.
TIP: If you shoot a young bull with antlers less than 5 inches long, it can be considered “antlerless.” But what do you do about evidence of sex?
- Leave the head and antlers naturally attached to a portion of the carcass to prove it meets the requirement.
- Leave the testicles attached to a portion of the carcass, and then you can detach the head or skull plate and carry it out with the antlers intact.
Transporting Game
You can be cited for illegally transporting game animals even if someone else made an error. When you transport carcasses or processed meat:
- Carcasses must be properly tagged. You must meet evidence of sex and antler-point requirements. Hunters must keep their own license.
- Carcass tags or donation certificates (for 20 pounds of meat or less) must accompany processed game meat.
- Carcass tags must be securely attached to carcass, not antlers or horns, or must accompany processed meat.
- Hunters transporting game through national parks or monuments must follow federal regulations. Contact the National Park Service.
- To ship by commercial carrier, the license, photocopy of license, carcass tag or donation certificate must accompany carcass or processed meat.
About the Big Game Harvest Survey
Annually from mid-October through mid-February CPW contracts with an outside firm to collect hunt and harvest information from elk hunters. Only those hunters who have been randomly selected by Colorado Parks and Wildlife are eligible to take the survey.
Each year Colorado has over 300,000 deer, elk and pronghorn hunters making it infeasible to contact each individual hunter by February. Therefore, approximately 175,000 hunters are randomly selected to participate in the annual harvest survey. The information gathered from the participating hunters is then used with information collected by CPW biologists to estimate annual big-game harvest and population numbers. An important part of setting seasons and license numbers for next year comes from harvest survey responses.
New for 2024: CPW will use text messages (in addition to the usual emails and phone calls) to notify hunters that they have a survey to complete.
Complete the Survey
To complete your Big Game Harvest Survey you can click on the links in the email, text message, button below, or by talking to the operator. Live operators are available to assist you daily from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Mountain Time at 1-855-9BGHARV (1-855-924-4278).
Individual hunters are asked a series of questions related to their experience including:
- Did you hunt?
- Where did you hunt?
- How many days did you hunt?
- Did you harvest an animal?
- What species did you harvest?
- Were you satisfied with the herd?
Hunters can also choose to answer an additional 5 questions to inform herd management planning.
Evidence of Sex
How To
Evidence of Sex
- It is illegal to have or transport a big-game carcass without evidence of sex naturally attached. It is illegal to have only detached evidence of sex accompany the carcass. If you submit a deer or elk head for CWD testing, leave evidence of sex on the carcass.
- EVIDENCE OF SEX IS: A. BUCK/BULL: Head with antlers or horns attached to carcass; or testicle, scrotum or penis attached to carcass. B. DOE/COW: Head, udder (mammary) or vulva attached to carcass. C. BLACK BEAR: Male: testicles or penis. Female: vulva.
- Heads detached from carcass are not adequate evidence of sex.
- If a carcass is cut in pieces or deboned, evidence of sex needs to be attached to a quarter or another major part of carcass. All portions must be transported together.
If you shoot a young buck or bull with antlers less than 5 inches long, it can be considered “antlerless.” But what do you do about evidence of sex?
- Leave the head and antlers naturally attached to a portion of the carcass to prove it meets the requirement.
- Leave the testicles attached to a portion of the carcass, and then you can detach the head or skull plate and carry it out with the antlers intact.
You Can Help Stop Poaching
If you see a poaching incident, report it. Look at it this way: if you saw someone breaking into your neighbor's house, would you just stand by and watch? Of course not; you would report it. Poaching is a crime against you, your neighbor, and everyone else in the state of Colorado. Call 1-877-COLO-OGT toll-free or Verizon cell phone users can simply dial #OGT.