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Mandatory Hunt Reporting
Mandatory Hunt Reporting
​​​​​​​Two Bighorn sheep rams in the brush.

Hunters with licenses for a bighorn sheep, mountain goat, moose, black bear, mountain lion, or bobcat are required to bring in the animal for an inspection by a CPW employee.

Read the information and instructions for reporting for each species below.

  • COVID19 Related changes: check back prior to going hunting for the latest updates.

Specific Office Information
​Fort Collins
​available for checks Monday through Friday, 8am-1pm & 2pm-5pm, no appointment necessary. Parking is in the back parking lot in designated parking spots. Masks are required, even outside. 
​Pueblo
​call ahead to set up an appointment, office does not have staff available to complete checks at all times.


Bighorn Sheep

For detailed information on hunting bighorn sheep in Colorado, see the Sheep & Goat brochure.

  • What if I did not hunt? You are still required to submit a completed mandatory report within 30 days after the close of the season even if you did not hunt or turned in your license.
  • What if I did not harvest? You are still required to submit a completed mandatory report within 30 days after the close of the season even if you did not harvest.
  • What if I did harvest? You are required to bring your harvest in for inspection.
    • When you need to report by: on or before 5th business day after harvest.
    • What to bring: hunter must be present at the inspection, horns and skull must be intact (unfrozen), Mandatory Report Form.
    • What will happen during the inspection: 
      • hunter provides: days hunted, harvest location (GMU and drainage), harvest date, manner of take.
      • CPW will: collect horn measurements along with hunt and harvest information, and complete Mandatory Report Form.
    • Proof of inspection: CPW personnel will place a permanent plug in one of the horns.

Mountain Goat

For detailed information on hunting mountain goats in Colorado, see the Sheep & Goat brochure.

  • What if I did not hunt? You are still required to submit a completed mandatory report within 30 days after the close of the season even if you did not hunt or turned in your license.
  • What if I did not harvest? You are still required to submit a completed mandatory report within 30 days after the close of the season even if you did not harvest.
  • What if I did harvest? You are required to bring your harvest in for inspection.
    • When you need to report by: on or before 5th business day after harvest.
    • What to bring: hunter must be present at the inspection, horns and skull must be intact, Mandatory Report Form.
    • What will happen during the inspection:
      • hunter provides: days hunted, harvest location (GMU and drainage), harvest date, manner of take.
      • CPW will: collect horn measurements along with hunt and harvest information, and complete Mandatory Report Form.
    • Proof of inspection: none.

Moose

For detailed information on hunting moose in Colorado, see the Big Game brochure.

  • What if I did not hunt? You are still required to submit a completed mandatory report within 30 days after the close of the season even if you did not hunt or turned in your license.
  • What if I did not harvest? You are still required to submit a completed mandatory report within 30 days after the close of the season even if you did not harvest.
  • What if I did harvest? You are required to bring your harvest in for inspection.
    • When you need to report by: on or before 5th business day after harvest.
    • What to bring: hunter must be present at the inspection, head with antlers naturally attached, lower jaw, Mandatory Report Form. NEW in 2021 - cow moose hunters do not have to bring the head as long as they bring the animal's incisor.
    • What will happen during the inspection: 
      • hunter provides: days hunted, harvest location (GMU and drainage), harvest date, manner of take.
      • CPW will: collect antler measurements along with hunt and harvest information, a tooth for aging and complete Mandatory Report Form.
  • Proof of inspection: none.

Black Bear

For detailed information on hunting black bears in Colorado, see the Big Game brochure.

  • What if I did not hunt? There are no further requirements regarding your black bear hunt.
  • What if I did not harvest? There are no further requirements regarding your black bear hunt.
  • What if I did harvest? You are required to bring your harvest in for inspection.
    • When you need to report by: on or before 5th business day after harvest.
    • What to bring: hunter must be present at the inspection, head and hide (unfrozen) - we recommend placing a stick in the animal’s mouth before rigor mortis sets in to allow access to the tooth.
    • What will happen during the inspection:
      • hunter provides: days hunted, harvest location (GMU and drainage), harvest date, manner of take.
      • CPW will: collect a tooth for aging along with hunt and harvest information, and complete Mandatory Report Form.
  • Proof of inspection: CPW personnel will place a seal through the bear’s hide.

Mountain Lion

For detailed information on hunting mountain lions in Colorado, see the Mountain Lion brochure.

  • What if I did not hunt? There are no further requirements regarding your mountain lion hunt.
  • What if I did not harvest? There are no further requirements regarding your mountain lion hunt.
  • What if I did harvest? You are required to bring your harvest in for inspection.
    • When you need to report by: harvest must be reported to CPW within 48 hours of take, lion must be presented for inspection within 5 days of take.
    • What to bring: hunter must be present at the inspection, head and hide (unfrozen) - we recommend placing a stick in the animal’s mouth before rigor mortis sets in to allow access to the tooth.
    • What will happen during the inspection: 
      • hunter provides: days hunted, harvest location (GMU and drainage), harvest date, manner of take.
      • CPW will: collect a tooth for aging along with hunt and harvest information, and complete Mandatory Report Form.
  • Proof of inspection: CPW personnel will place a seal through the lion’s hide.

Bobcat

For detailed information on hunting bobcats in Colorado, see the Small Game & Waterfowl brochure.

  • What if I did not hunt/trap? There are no further requirements regarding your bobcat hunt.
  • What if I did not harvest/trap? There are no further requirements regarding your bobcat hunt.
  • What if I did harvest? You are required to bring your harvest in for inspection.
    • When you need to report by: within 30 days after take, or within five days after the season closes; whichever is sooner.
    • What to bring: hunter must be present at the inspection, bobcat pelt or whole animal.
    • What will happen during the inspection: 
      • hunter provides: days hunted/trapping, harvest location (GMU and drainage), harvest date, manner of take.
      • CPW will: collect hunt and harvest information, and complete Mandatory Report Form
  • Proof of inspection: CPW personnel will place a seal through the bobcat’s hide.