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Hunting Furbearers

Hunting furbearers and small game is a time honored traditional hunt and a great starter hunt for new hunters. Furbearers include mink, pine marten, badger, red fox, gray fox, swift fox, Western spotted skunk, striped skunk, beaver, muskrat, long-tailed weasel, short-tailed weasel, bobcat, opossum, ring-tailed cat, raccoon, and coyote.
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    A hunter in orange holding her gun.

    A hunter in orange holding her gun.

    Hunting

    Hunting Furbearers in Colorado

    Furbearers and small game are staple hunts for many sportspeople and their families, and good hunts for new hunters looking to gain experience before hunting big game. 

    Furbearer Species You Can Hunt

    • Badger
    • Beaver
    • Bobcat
    • Coyote
    • Gray Fox
    • Long-Tailed Weasel
    • Mink
    • Muskrat
    • Pine Marten
    • Opossum
    • Raccoon
    • Red Fox
    • Ring-Tailed Cat
    • Short-Tailed Weasel
    • Striped Skunk
    • Swift Fox
    • Western Spotted Skunk

    Need to Know

    What you need to buy a license

    1. Proper identification and proof of residency (for Colorado residents).
    2. Proof of hunter education.
    3. A Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number is required for hunters age 12 and older, per federal law.
    4. Habitat Stamp: An annual ($12.76) habitat stamp is automatically  added to a license purchase for anyone ages 18 to 64. Residents with a Colorado lifetime license are exempt.

    Ways to Hunt Furbearers

      Hunt Furbearers Only

      Hunt Furbearers

      Hunters can purchase a furbearer l​icense. This license will allow hunters to harvest furbearers only. 

      Hunt Furbearers and Small Game

      Hunt Furbearers and Small Game

      Hunters can purchase a small game license and the new annual furbearer harvest permit. This will allow hunters to hunt all small game and furbearer species.

      A close up of a coyote in long grass.

      Need to Know

      Hunting Coyote

      IMPORTANT: 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, or a small game license with a furbearer harvest permit.

      Register with the Harvest Information Program (HIP)

      Coyote hunters must register with the Harvest Information Program on CPWShop.com before their license is valid.

      Register with HIP
      bobcat

      Need to Know

      Hunting Bobcat

      Bobcat Seals Required

      All bobcats or their pelts must be personally presented by the hunter for inspection and sealing by CPW within 30 days after take, or within 5 days after the season closes; whichever is sooner. Any bobcat hide/pelt without a seal within five days after the season closes is illegal and becomes the property of the state.

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      Get Ready for Furbearer Hunting Season

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      2026 License, Application Processing & Habitat Stamp Fees

        Resident

        The 2026 brochure with updated season dates and fees will be available in August. The 2026 small game qualifying licenses are listed below.

        Habitat Stamps

        2026 Habitat Stamp (required & nonrefundable)

        Only one is required per person, ages 18–64, per year buying or applying for a license.

        $12.76

        Lifetime Habitat Stamp

        $384.16

        Qualifying Licenses

        Required

        All applicants, including youth, must purchase a qualifying hunting license to apply for the big-game draw.

        Annual small game

        Adult

        $38.49

        Annual small game and fishing combo

        Adult

        $64.02

        Annual small game

        Youth

        $2.53

        Senior small game/fishing combo

        (residents age 64+)

        $38.03

        Annual small-game license for senior lifetime and senior low-income annual fishing license holders

        (Senior Columbine or Centennial lifetime fishing license holders only)

        $27.82

        Veteran lifetime combo

        (residents only, New 50% disabled or Purple Heart recipient)

        free

        First responder lifetime combo

        (residents only, permanent occupational disability)

        free

        All license fees include a $1.25 search-and-rescue fee and a $1.50 fee for the Wildlife Education Fund, when applicable. Reminder: If you draw a sheep or goat license, your credit card or CPW gift certificate on file in your online account will be charged after the draw.

        Nonresident

        The 2026 brochure with updated season dates and fees will be available in August. The 2026 small game qualifying licenses are listed below.

        Habitat Stamps

        2026 Habitat Stamp (required & nonrefundable)

        Only one is required per person, ages 18–64, per year buying or applying for a license.

        $12.76

        Lifetime Habitat Stamp

        $384.16

        Qualifying Licenses

        Required

        All applicants, including youth, must purchase a qualifying hunting license to apply for the big-game draw.

        Annual small game

        Adult

        $104.86

        Annual small game

        Youth

        $2.53

        All license fees include a $1.25 search-and-rescue fee and a $1.50 fee for the Wildlife Education Fund, when applicable. Reminder: If you draw a sheep or goat license, your credit card or CPW gift certificate on file in your online account will be charged after the draw.

        Brochures

        The 2026 brochure with updated season dates and fees will be available in August. The 2025 brochure is still available as a reference for hunters to plan their hunts.

        small game and waterfowl brochure cover

        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 Brochure