Small Game
Small Game Hunting
What's New
The 2024 Colorado Small Game and Waterfowl Brochure is available. Changes include: Harvest Information Program (HIP) registration is only available through CPW’s licensing system at cpwshop.com or by calling an automated phone service at 1-855-521-3050. Electronic federal duck stamps prices increased by $2. A $0 permit is required to hunt sandhill cranes and a city-issued permit is required in City of Ft. Collins Natural Areas.
Be sure to read the "What's New" pages in the Small Game and Waterfowl, Recreational Lands, Walk-in Atlas and Late Cropland Walk-in Atlas brochures to see a full list of changes on tap for the upcoming seasons.
Brochures
Colorado Small Game and Waterfowl Hunting Brochure
Be sure to read the “What’s New” pages to see a full list of changes on tap for the upcoming hunting seasons.
Download the BrochureSmall Game Hunting Opportunities
Choose a Species to Learn More
Small Game and Migratory Birds
Small Game and Migratory Birds DetailsFurbearer
Furbearer DetailsWaterfowl
Waterfowl DetailsHunting with Hawks and Falcons
Hawks and Falcons DetailsLicense Options
Hunt Small Game
Hunters can purchase an annual small game license. This license will allow hunters to harvest small game including coyote, migratory birds, and waterfowl only. One-day, and additional-day small game licenses are also available.
Small game licenses are available year-round. Purchase them in person, at sales agents, by phone at 1-800-244-5613 or online at CPWShop.com. Small game licenses are valid March 1 through March 31 of the following year (13 months).
Common Snapping Turtles
To hunt these you need a small game or fishing license.
Qualifying Licenses
Hunters who are planning to apply for a limited big game license will need a qualifying license to apply for either draw. A small game or small game combination license counts as a qualifying license for the primary draw and secondary draw.
Combination Licenses
Small game and fishing combination licenses are available for Colorado resident seniors (65 or older), military veterans, and first responders with disabilities.
Hunt Furbearers
Hunters who only want to hunt furbearers (includes coyote) and not the rest of small game, migratory birds or waterfowl, can purchase the new annual furbearer license.
Note: While coyote are considered furbearers, you do not need a furbearer harvest permit to hunt this species. You may hunt coyote with a furbearer license, a small game license, a small game license with the new furbearer harvest permit, or an unfilled big game license.
Hunters who want to hunt furbearers and small game can purchase a small game license and a furbearers permit.
Hunt Migratory Birds
Hunters who want to hunt migratory birds can purchase a small game license.
Band-tailed Pigeon
An additional special permit from CPW is required to hunt band-tailed pigeons. The permit is available from sales agents, CPW offices, online, or by phone at 1-800-244-5613.
Eurasian-collared Dove, European Starlings, English or House Sparrows
A license is not required as these are considered an invasive species, but hunters must still carry their hunter education card.
Register with HIP
Hunters who wish to hunt migratory birds, small game, and coyote and must sign up with the Harvest Information Program (HIP) each year. An additional special permit from HIP is required to hunt sandhill crane.
Hunt Waterfowl
Hunters who want to hunt waterfowl can purchase a small game license.
Register with HIP
Hunters who wish to hunt migratory birds, small game, and coyote and must sign up with the Harvest Information Program each year. An additional special permit from HIP is required to hunt sandhill crane, and band-tailed pigeons.
Duck Stamps
To hunt waterfowl, hunters 16 years or older must have a Federal Migratory Bird Stamp (also called the duck stamp), and the Colorado Waterfowl Stamp.
The federal stamp is available after July 1 online, by phone and at select post offices, CPW locations and sales agents. It is also available at CPW offices and sales agents. The Colorado state stamp is paid for when you purchase your small game license and printed on your license.
Falconry Hunting (Hawking)
Hunters with a falconry license do not need a separate small game license or to have a hunter education card if they are just hunting the available species with the raptor.
Hunting Requirement
Harvest Information Program
Hunters planning to use their small game license small game, coyote, and migratory birds will need to obtain their Harvest Information Program (HIP) number online at CPWShop.com or at any CPW location or sales agent, before they can legally hunt. Hunters who only wish to hunt furbearers (excluding coyote) do not need to register.
Walk-In-Access Program Dove Hunting
More than 154,000 acres are open to dove hunting through Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s Walk-In-Access program. Although not all properties have the right habitat for doves, many areas offer good hunting opportunities.