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, fox, skunk, beaver, muskrat, 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. 

Hunter

Your Voice Matters

Join the Sportsperson’s Roundtable

Colorado Parks and Wildlife depends on feedback and advice from our state’s hunters and anglers to make the best decisions about the management of fish, wildlife, and habitat. In order to discuss issues and gather ideas, CPW convenes a statewide Sportsperson’s Roundtable and holds regional sportsperson meetings.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is accepting applications from hunters, anglers and trappers from across Colorado to join the Sportsperson’s Roundtable. Fill out the Application Form by the deadline of Friday, November 8, 2024 to apply!

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

Ways to Hunt Furbearers

    Hunt Furbearers

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

    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, a small game license with the new furbearer harvest permit, or an unfilled big game license.​

    Register with the Harvest Information Program (HIP)

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

    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.

    Get Ready for Furbearer Hunting Season

    December 1

    12:01am MST

    Bobcat Season Opens

    January 1

    12:01am MST

    Coyote Season Open Year-round

    Season Dates & Deadlines

    Furbearers

    Badger, Fox, mink, muskrat, opossum, pine marten, raccoon, ring-tailed cat, skunk, weasel. Unlimited bag and possession limit.

    November 01, 2024

    February 28, 2025

    See Brochure

    Beaver

    Unlimited bag and possession limit.

    October 01, 2024

    April 30, 2025

    See Brochure

    Bobcat

    Unlimited bag and possession limit.

    December 01, 2024

    February 28, 2025

    See Brochure

    Coyote

    All Year License. Unlimited bag and possession limit.

    See Brochure

    Hunting License Fees

    Annual Habitat Stamp

    Resident and Nonresident

    $12.15

    Annual Small Game

    Resident

    $35.76

    Small Game

    Nonresident

    $98.92

    Small Game One Day

    Resident

    $16.33

    Small Game One Day

    Nonresident

    $19.97

    Small Game Additional-Day

    Resident and Nonresident

    $7.82

    Youth Small Game and Furbearer

    Resident and Nonresident Youth (Under 18 Only)

    $1.46

    Small Game and Fishing Combo

    Resident

    $60.05

    Furbearer License Only

    Resident

    $35.76

    Furbearer License Only

    Nonresident

    $98.92

    Colorado Waterfowl Stamp

    Resident and Nonresident

    $12.15

    Federal Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp

    Resident and Nonresident

    $33.00

    Senior Small Game and Fishing Combo

    Resident (aged 65 and older)

    $35.32

    Senior Annual Small Game for Lifetime Fishing License Holders

    Resident (Senior Columbine or Centennial Lifetime Fishing License holders only)

    $25.60

    First Responder Lifetime Small Game and Fishing Combo

    Resident (permanent occupational disability)

    Free

    Veterans Lifetime Small Game and Fishing Combo

    Resident (60% disabled or Purple Heart recipient)

    Free

    Band-tailed Pigeon Permit

    Resident and Nonresident

    $5.00

    Brochures

    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