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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

  • The 2021 leftover list should be available beginning of August.
  • Leftover licenses go on sale August 3, 2021 at 9am MT.


What are leftover licenses?

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

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

Reissued Big Game Licenses

Any license returned before the leftover list is created will be available August 3 when leftover licenses go on sale.

NEW Process: Starting August 10 the Reissue Preview list will be available. For details, see License Refunds, Reissues, Reversals and Exchanges. 

Starting on August 11 at 11am reissued licenses that were on he Reissue Preview List become available on the leftover list. 


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 3, 2021, 9am MT. ​


What are over-the-counter licenses?

OTC licenses are not restricted in quantity by CPW but are restricted to certain units, seasons and manners of take. Although they are considered "unlimited licenses," they are
still subject to purchase limits for each individual. 

They are 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. 

You may purchase these licenses when over-the-counter licenses go on sale. 


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Over-the-Counter and Add-on Bear Licenses

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Over-​the-Counter with Caps Bear Licenses​

Bear over-the-counter with caps licenses are no longer available.


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

Bear over-the-counter rifle licenses go on sale August 3, 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 as of 2020

Add-on archery and muzzleloader bear OTC licenses go on sale August 3, 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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Turkey Leftover, Reissued & OTC Licenses

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Spring Over-the-Counter Turkey Licenses​

OTC spring licenses go on sale March 1 at 9am MT.


Reissued and Leftover Spring Turkey Licenses

NEW Process: See the Reissue Preview List each Tuesday at 11am.

See the Leftover License List each Wednesday at 11am, when reissued licenses are added and are then available for sale.

For more details on this new process, see the License Refunds, Reissues, Reversals and Exchanges page. 


Fall Turkey Licenses

Fall turkey leftover and over-the-counter licenses go on sale August 3, 9am MT.

Reissued Fall Turkey Licenses

​​​​Reissued fall licenses are added to the leftover list and go on sale with leftover licenses August 3, 9am MT.

NEW Process: Starting August 10 the Reissue Preview list will be available. For details, see License Refunds, Reissues, Reversals and Exchanges. 

Starting on August 11 at 11am reissued licenses that were on he Reissue Preview List become available on the leftover list. 


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

Big Game License Types

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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