COLORADO PARKS & WILDLIFE

​​​​​​​​​Small Game Quick Guide

 

5 Steps to the Hunt

​​Furbearer Hunting Checklist

1. Secure and Verifiable Identification
2. For residents, proof of residency
3. Proof of hunter education
4. Purchase a License: To hunt furbearers (except coyote), hunters will need to purchase EITHER:
1. ​a furbearer license (to harvest furbearers only), or;
2. a small game license AND the new annual furbearer harvest permit. This will allow hunters to hunt all small game and furbearer species.
   
3. What license do I need to hunt specific small game and furbearer species?
5. Habitat Stamp​: A habitat stamp is required for anyone aged 18
   ​through 64. Stamps are available at all CPW offices, from sales agents,
   ​online​, and by phone at 1-800-244-5613. 
   

Harvest Information Program (HIP): ​As of 2023, HIP registration is only required before you pursue small game, waterfowl, or coyotes. HIP registration is not required if you are only pursuing furbearers. Hunters planning to pursue coyotes will still need to obtain their HIP number through the HIP website​ or by calling and speaking with a live operator at 1-866-COLOHIP (265-6447), available 7 a.m.-10:30 p.m., before they can legally hunt.​

Hunting Coyote

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.​

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Small Game & Waterfowl Brochure

​Hunters interested in hunting furbearer species should review the ​Small Game and Waterfowl brochure for more information on legal methods of take and hunting laws. 

​Season Dates

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

• Season Dates: Nov. 1 - end of February
  
• Location: Statewide
  
• Daily Bag Limit: Unlimited
• Possession Limit: Unlimited
  

Coyote 

• ​Season Dates: Year-round
• Bag Limit: Unlimited
• Possession Limit: Unlimited
  

Beaver

• Season Dates: Oct. 1 - April 30
  
• Location: Statewide
• Daily Bag Limit: Unlimited
• Possession Limit: Unlimited
  

​Bo​bcat

• Season Dates​: Dec. 1 - end of February
  
• Location:  Statewide
• Bag Limit: Unlimited
  
• Possession Limit: Unlimited
  

     Bobcat Seals

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. Seals will be placed only on bobcats taken legally in Colorado. Inspection and sealing is free, and seals must stay attached to hide until processed. Bobcat hides/pelts cannot be transported, shipped or otherwise taken from Colorado until inspected and sealed. It is illegal to buy, sell, trade or barter an untanned bobcat hide/pelt without a seal. One seal per hide/pelt. Contact a nearby CPW office for details. 

Bobcat Annual Mortality T​able​​