Colorado Parks & Wildlife

Hunt Big Game

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Hunt planning resources

License information

Learn

Hunter Education

Hunter Education courses are offered throughout the year and throughout the state. Find a course at a place and time to fit your schedule.

Youth Expands!

One of the foremost goals at CPW is to expand youth opportunity and turn first-time hunters into lifelong sportspersons. Read more.

Habitat Stamp

All annual licenses purchased for individuals ages 18-64 will have a Habitat Stamp applied at the time of purchase, if required. Read more about the Habitat Stamp.

2022 Hunting Guide

This annual issue is loaded with great content, including hunting strategies for hot weather, advantages of antlerless deer and elk hunts, how and what to cook when in the field, and so much more! Purchase your copy today!

Know BEFORE You Go

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, it is your responsibility to learn about fires, closures & alerts. Plan alternative routes & areas to hunt. Check with local land management agencies before heading out. For more information, including contact numbers, visit the Fire, Road Closures and Alerts page.

Big Game Hunting Planner

The Big Game Hunting Planner is an easy-to-read, two-page summary of dates, fees, application dates & deadlines. Print for an easy reference.

2022 Regular Walk-in Atlas

Download the 2022 Regular Walk-in Atlas.

Continuing in 2022, big-game hunting will be available on certain Walk-In Access (WIA) properties. Big-game access within the program has been expanded to the entire eastern plains, totaling approximately 139,000 acres.

The big game program will allow public access to specified Colorado WIA properties for deer, elk and pronghorn hunting within specified big game season dates, from Sept. 1–Dec. 31, 2022.

Important Updates

ATTENTION HUNTERS - Big Game Regulation Update (5/15/23)

In response to the severity and duration of the historic winter in the northwest corner of the state, the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission approved big game license quota reductions and reduced the length of the over-the-counter rifle elk seasons in certain units. Please review the big game brochure for more information.

Your Voice Matters: Big Game Season Structure (BGSS) Planning Process

CPW staff are hosting BGSS public meetings to better understand hunters’ perspectives on the current BGSS, opinions on possible changes for the 2025-2029 BGSS, and ideas for season dates and timing. Meetings will be held through late June 2023. Attend a Big Game Season Structure Planning Process Meeting.

Prepare for Colorado's Secondary Limited License Draw

Prepare to Apply!

Some important things to know about the Secondary Draw:

Applicants can apply for the secondary draw whether or not they applied for the primary draw.
Preference points are not used or awarded in this draw.
A qualifying license is required.

For more information, please read the Colorado Big Game Brochure.

Find a Place to Hunt

Colorado has a wealth of public land hunting opportunities. If you've found a hunt code, but need a place to hunt, check out the Colorado Hunting Atlas to see all available public land hunting opportunities in the Game management unit (GMU) that you are considering.

The Colorado Hunting Atlas allows users to view big game concentrations and game management units displayed on top of street maps, USGS topographic maps or high-resolution color aerial photography.

Important Secondary Draw Dates

June 21 — 30: Applications accepted

June 30, 8 p.m. MT: Application & correction deadline

July 7: Draw results posted online

July 21: Payment deadline

Need help?

If you need help with your big game application, please call a Colorado Parks and Wildlife hunt planner at (303) 291-7526.

What's New for the 2023 Colorado Seasons

Colorado Hunting Regulations Brochures

Be sure to read the entire "what's new" page in the brochures before purchasing a license or hunting this fall.

Sheep & Goat Brochure
Folleto de Regulacíon de Borregos y Cabras (En Español)

Big Game Brochure
Folleto de Regulacíon de Caza Mayor (En Español)

COLORADO PARKS & WILDLIFE