Turkey Hunting
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Video: Livin' the Wildlife: Turkeys
An Introduction to Turkeys
Hunting Turkey in Colorado
The wild turkey is beloved among hunters and wildlife enthusiasts alike. The wild turkey's springtime mating displays are one of the most exciting and stunning events in nature. Yet, these iconic birds only exist today because of dedicated conservation programs. This video provides an overview of the wild turkey's mating behavior and Colorado Parks and Wildlife's long-standing efforts to conserve this amazing species. The video features both Rio Grande turkeys, which were introduced to Colorado in the 1980s, and the native Merriam's turkeys.
Need a Turkey License?
Over-the-counter (OTC) Licenses
OTC spring turkey licenses go on sale March 1st and can be purchased online, by phone or in person at CPW offices, state parks and sales agents around the state. OTC fall turkey licenses go on sale June 19th.
Apply for a Limited License
Limited licenses are limited in number by regulation and are issued through a draw process.
Spring turkey limited license applications are due in April, while fall and late season turkey limited license applications are due May. These license applications are due at different times from the big game limited license applications.
Leftover, and Reissue Preview Lists
Leftover List
The list of leftover spring turkey licenses will be available in March.
View Leftover ListReissue Preview List
Beginning March 11th for spring turkey, the reissue preview list will be posted on Tuesdays at 11:00 a.m. MT and cleared after sales start on Wednesdays.
View Reissue Preview ListTurkey Season Dates
Season |
Notes |
Start Date |
End Date |
Add to Calendar |
Maps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Spring Turkey |
April 12, 2025 |
May 31, 2025 |
See brochure | ||
|
Fall Turkey |
September 01, 2025 |
October 31, 2025 |
See Brochure | ||
|
Late Season Turkey |
December 15, 2025 |
January 15, 2026 |
See Brochure |
Hunt dates vary by license type and hunt location and some licenses are valid only on certain dates. See the hunt tables in the turkey brochure for details.
Turkey Hunting License Fees
License |
Hunter |
Fee |
|---|---|---|
|
Resident and Nonresident |
$12.47 |
|
|
Application Fee |
Resident Application Processing Fee (limited licenses, nonrefundable) |
$8.00 |
|
Application Fee |
Nonresident Application Processing Fee (limited licenses, nonrefundable) |
$11.00 |
|
Spring Turkey |
Resident |
$36.86 |
|
Fall Turkey |
Resident |
$30.44 |
|
Spring or Fall Turkey |
Nonresident |
$188.86 |
|
Youth Turkey Spring or Fall (under age 18) |
Resident |
$19.21 |
|
Youth Turkey Spring or Fall (under age 18) |
Nonresident |
$126.49 |
- All prices include a 25-cent search-and-rescue fee, a $1.50 for the Wildlife Council surcharge.
Need to Know
What you need to buy a license
- Proper identification and proof of residency (for Colorado residents).
- Proof of hunter education.
- A Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number is required for hunters age 12 and older, per federal law.
- Habitat Stamp: An annual ($12.47) habitat stamp is automatically added to a license purchase for anyone ages 18 to 64. Individuals with a lifetime license are exempt.
Turkey Hunting License Options
Spring Limited Licenses
Limited licenses are limited in number by regulation and are issued through a draw process. Hunters must apply and be successful in the draw (unless purchased as a leftover or reissued license after the draw) in order to get one of these licenses, which are valid on public or private land within the unit(s) listed, unless otherwise specified below. Hunters must always get landowner permission before hunting on private land.
Spring Ranching for Wildlife
Public Ranching for Wildlife (RFW) licenses are available only to Colorado residents by draw. Licenses are valid for the dates and ranch on the license. RFW licenses are listed with hunt codes below. Landowners must provide free access to hunters who draw a license for the ranch. By applying for a RFW license, hunters allow CPW to provide applicant information to the ranch. Hunting rules are different for each ranch; read ranch rules on the CPW website before applying. Visit the Ranching for Wildlife page for more information.
Spring Over-The-Counter (OTC) Licenses
Over-the-counter (OTC) licenses are usually unlimited in number and available over the counter. These licenses are not available through the draw process. View the Colorado Turkey Brochure for dates and a map with huntable game management units (GMUs).
Additional Opportunities
Fishers Peak State Park Hunting Opportunities
Up to five hunters will have the opportunity to hunt turkey on Fishers Peak, near Trinidad, in Spring 2025. Access is by permit only, issued by drawing. Information about how to apply for these opportunities will be posted online by February 1, 2025.
Have you completed your hunter education course?
Colorado law requires that individuals born on or after January 1, 1949, must complete an approved hunter education course before applying for or purchasing a Colorado hunting license.
Already taken a hunter education course? Learn more about how to provide proof of completion.
Take a Hunter Education Class
Hunter education classes are available in-person in a classroom setting or online with an in-person completion exam.
Find a Hunter Education ClassGrow Your Archery Skills
Hunters that chose archery as their method of take can grow their skills prior to hunting season by taking a bowhunter education class.
Find a Bowhunter Education ClassMentored Hunts
New to Hunting?
Colorado Parks and Wildlife's Hunter Outreach Program offers free educational hunting opportunities (turkey, big game, small game, wat) for youth, adults, and families with limited outdoor experience to learn ethical hunting practices from experienced staff and volunteers.
Mentored Turkey Hunts for Adults
Many of us didn't have a chance to learn how to hunt growing up. Adults can apply for a concise, distraction-free experience to learn how to hunt turkey with other adults. Mentored turkey hunting opportunities for women to learn to hunt turkey in a comfortable environment are also available.
Mentored Turkey Hunts for Youth
Youth ages 12 to 17 can apply for a free educational, safe, and ethical mentored turkey hunts with experienced CPW staff and volunteers. Youth will work through hunting clinics, seminars, and actual hunts in the field.
Opportunities for Everyone
Youth Hunters
Youth hunters have youth-only hunting opportunities including small game, extended seasons for deer, elk, and pronghorn, and hunter outreach opportunities for big game (including moose), small game, waterfowl, and turkey hunting experiences.
Nonresident Hunters
Nonresident hunters have a percentage of deer, elk, bighorn sheep, and mountain goat licenses set aside for them. They can also participate in group hunts and are eligible for a combo hunting and fishing license.
Resident Hunters
Residents have the option to participate in both big game draws, and apply for or purchase hybrid draw licenses, leftover licenses, reissued licenses, over-the-counter licenses, fishing and hunting combo licenses, raffle licenses, group hunts, and ranching for wildlife hunts.
Hunters Experiencing Disabilities
Resident hunters experiencing disabilities can request accommodations for visual and physical disabilities to assist with their hunts.
New Hunters
New hunters can apply to go on mentored big game, small game, waterfowl, pheasant, and turkey hunts with the hunter outreach program, participate in a year long hunting experience with the rookie sportsperson program, and continue to broaden their skills past their initial hunter education course with regularly offered hunting classes to practice and hone techniques. Specific classes are also offered for women to learn in a comfortable environment.
Hunters in the Military
Colorado residents who are deployed active duty military can apply to purchase leftover hunting licenses or receive a preference point in advance, or apply for a refund if deployed after their purchase. Veterans experiencing disabilities can apply for a lifetime combo fishing hunting license, and apply for accommodation while hunting. Veterans may also apply for big game licenses through the Wounded Warrior program.
Colorado Turkey Hunting Brochures
Colorado Turkey 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 Brochure