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Leftover & OTC Licenses
Leftover & OTC Licenses
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​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Leftover and Reissued Big ​Game Licenses

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Leftover Big Game Licenses

When will the leftover list be posted and when do leftover licenses go on sale?

  • The 2020 leftover list should be available at the beginning of August. 
  • Leftover licenses go on sale August 4, 2020 at 9AM MT.

What are leftover licenses?

Leftover licenses are the remaining limited licenses available after the primary and secondary draws are completed.

NEW IN 2020: There will no longer be a leftover draw. The secondary draw replaces the leftover draw. 

Reissued Big Game Licenses

Any license that is returned before August 3rd and is eligible to be reissued will be available August 4 at 9AM. Any license returned after this will become available starting August 11 at 9AM and will follow the reissue process. These huntcodes will be released at random times T-F 9AM-4PM through the end of the season. 


What are reissued licenses?

Reissued licenses are limited licenses that were returned for a refund or preference points, as well as those who didn't pay for their licenses - and are listed on the leftover list.​

For more information on reissued licenses, visit the License Refund & Reissue page.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

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​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Over-the-Counter Big Game Licenses

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Over-the-Counter (OTC) Big Game Licenses

Big game over-the-counter licenses go on sale August 6, 9AM MT. 

Over-the-counter big game licenses are unlimited in number and restricted to certain units, seasons, and manners of take.


What are over-the-counter licenses?

OTC licenses are unlimited in number and available without having to go through the draw(s). They do not require buying/having a qualifying license, do not use preference points and may be purchased any time through the day before the applicable hunting season begins. They're available at over 700 sales agents around the state, at CPW locations, online or by phone. 

Unlimited licenses are not restricted in quantity by CPW. You may purchase these licenses when over-the-counter licenses go on sale. Unlimited licenses are still subject to purchase limits for each individual.


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Over-the-Counter and Add-on Bear Licenses

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Over-​the-Counter (OTC) Bear Licenses​

Bear over-the-counter licenses go on sale August 6, 9AM MT.



What are over-the-counter licenses?


These are sold online, by phone, at sales agents and CPW locations for rifle, archery and muzzleloader seasons. After the season opens, these are only sold at CPW locations.


OTC archery and muzzleloader bear licenses are add-on only licenses.

 

Add-on Bear Over-the-Counter Licenses​ - NEW

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Add-on archery and muzzleloader bear licenses go on sale August 6, 9AM MT.

 

Some archery and muzzleloader bear licenses are available in unlimited numbers this year as "add-on" licenses: 

 

  • You can add on one of these bear licenses if you have a deer or elk license for the same method of take and at least one hunting unit overlaps.


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Spring & Fall Turkey Limited & OTC Licenses

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Spring Turkey Licenses​

Reissued Spring Turkey Licenses

Returned limited spring turkey licenses will not be reissued off the leftover license list this year due to significant shipment delays from our processing center related to COVID-19. Manual issues will still occur.  

Fall Turkey Licenses

Fall turkey leftover and over-the-counter licenses go on sale August 4, 2020 at 9AM MT.

Reissued Fall Turkey Licenses

​​​​Reissued fall licenses are added to the leftover list and go on sale with big game leftover licenses on August 6, 9AM MT. 

What are reissued licenses?

Reissued licenses are limited licenses that were returned for a refund or preference points, and are listed on the leftover list.​

For more information on reissued licenses, visit the License Refu​nd & Reissue page.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

What are leftover licenses?

Leftover licenses are the limited licenses remaining after the draw is completed.​

What are over-the-counter licenses?

Spring and fall turkey OTC licenses are unlimited in number and are not available through the draw process.​

For more information on turkey licenses, visit the Turkey Hunting page.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

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More Information About License Types

To read more about the different types of big game licenses and purchasing options, please visit the Big Game Licenses Options page. If you have any questions, please contact CPW at 303.297.1192.

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​Purchase onlinegreen license agent list buttonCall a hunt planner button: 303-291-7526​​

Big Game License Information

Visit the Big Game Licenses Options page for license  options and purchasing details. 

If you have any questions, please contact CPW at 303-297-1192.

big game brochure cover 

​​Big Game Hunting Brochure

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Know Before You Go

Prior to license purchase, check for closures near your hunting destination and plan alternative routes and areas to hunt.

For more information, please visit the Fires, Road Closures and Alerts page.

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