Waterfowl Hunting

Excitement, adventure, beautiful scenery—that’s what hunting in Colorado is truly about. And there’s no better way to experience all three than waterfowl hunting. Waterfowl hunting provides the ultimate way to connect with nature and immerse yourself in the Colorado Outdoors.

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A green-winged teal on the water.

Hunting

Hunting Waterfowl in Colorado

Video: Colorado Waterfowl Study - North Park, Colorado

Conservation in Action

Colorado Waterfowl Study

For the last seven years, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) biologists have been studying waterfowl in North Park. This video provides an intimate look at some of the tools and techniques avian researchers are using to better understand Colorado's duck populations and how to more effectively manage wetland habitat.

Wetlands in Colorado

Waterfowl Species You Can Hunt

Lesser Snow Geese (including blue)
Greater Snow Geese
Ross' Geese
Canada Geese
White-fronted Geese
Brandt

Cackling Geese
Mergansers
American Coot

Mallard
Pintail
Canvasback
Redhead
Wood Duck
Scaup
Blue-winged Teal
Green-winged Teal
Cinnamon Teal

Visit Ducks Unlimited’s Waterfowl ID page to learn about all types of ducks and waterfowl.

Need to Know

What you need to buy a license

Proper identification and proof of residency (for Colorado residents).
Proof of hunter education.
A Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number is required for hunters age 12 and older, per federal law.
Habitat Stamp: An annual ($12.47) habitat stamp is automatically added to a license purchase for anyone ages 18 to 64. Residents with a Colorado lifetime license are exempt.

Hunt Waterfowl

TO HUNT WATERFOWL, you need a small-game hunting license. If you are 16 or older, you also must have the $33 Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp (Duck Stamp) AND the $12.15 Colorado State Waterfowl Stamp to hunt waterfowl.

COLORADO WATERFOWL STAMP: The state stamp is printed on your hunting license and validated by signing your name in ink on the license.

FEDERAL DUCK STAMP: Effective July 1, 2024, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service implemented the Duck Stamp Modernization Act of 2023, allowing an individual to carry an electronic stamp for the entire waterfowl hunting season. The new electronic stamp shall remain valid from the day it is sold through the following June 30, instead of being valid 45 days from the day of sale (fws.gov/service/buy-duck-stamp-or-e-stamp). Traditional methods of purchasing the Federal Duck Stamp will continue. The physical stamp is valid when you sign your name in ink across the face of the stamp.

A federal stamp is not required to take light geese during the conservation order season: See "Legal Migratory Bird Hunting Methods," in the Small Game and Waterfowl brochure.

Download the Small Game and Waterfowl Brochure

Hunting License Fees

License Type	Hunter Type	Fee
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

Season Dates

Duck, Coot, & Teal

Duck, Coot, & Teal Seasons

Season	Notes	Start Date	End Date	Brochure
Northeast Zone	Area: East of I-25 and North of I-70. Daily Bag Limit, DUCK & MERGANSER: 6, in the aggregate. Up to 5 can be mallard, but no more than 2 can be female mallard. Included in the daily bag limit of 6, you can have no more than 1 pintail, 2 canvasback, 2 redhead, 3 wood duck and 1 scaup. COOT: 15. Possession Limit: 3 daily bag limits.	October 19, 2024	December 01, 2024	See Brochure
Northeast Zone	Area: East of I-25 and North of I-70. Daily Bag Limit, DUCK & MERGANSER: 6, in the aggregate. Up to 5 can be mallard, but no more than 2 can be female mallard. Included in the daily bag limit of 6, you can have no more than 1 pintail, 2 canvasback, 2 redhead, 3 wood duck and 1 scaup. COOT: 15. Possession Limit: 3 daily bag limits.	December 11, 2024	January 31, 2025	See Brochure
Southeast Zone	Area: East of I-25 and South of I-70, and all of El Paso, Pueblo, Huerfano and Las Animas counties. Daily Bag Limit, DUCK & MERGANSER: 6, in the aggregate. Up to 5 can be mallard, but no more than 2 can be female mallard. Included in the daily bag limit of 6, you can have no more than 1 pintail, 2 canvasback, 2 redhead, 3 wood duck and 1 scaup. COOT: 15. Possession Limit: 3 daily bag limits.	October 28, 2024	January 31, 2025	See Brochure
Mountain/Foothills Zone	Area: West of I-25 and East of Continental Divide, except El Paso, Pueblo, Huerfano and Las Animas counties. Daily Bag Limit, DUCK & MERGANSER: 6, in the aggregate. Up to 5 can be mallard, but no more than 2 can be female mallard. Included in the daily bag limit of 6, you can have no more than 1 pintail, 2 canvasback, 2 redhead, 3 wood duck and 1 scaup. COOT: 15. Possession Limit: 3 daily bag limits.	October 05, 2024	December 01, 2024	See Brochure
Mountain/Foothills Zone	Area: West of I-25 and East of Continental Divide, except El Paso, Pueblo, Huerfano and Las Animas counties. Daily Bag Limit, DUCK & MERGANSER: 6, in the aggregate. Up to 5 can be mallard, but no more than 2 can be female mallard. Included in the daily bag limit of 6, you can have no more than 1 pintail, 2 canvasback, 2 redhead, 3 wood duck and 1 scaup. COOT: 15. Possession Limit: 3 daily bag limits.	December 25, 2024	January 31, 2025	See Brochure
Western Zone	Area: West of Continental Divide not included in the Eastern Zone. Daily Bag Limit, DUCK & MERGANSER: 7 in aggregate. Of these, no more than 2 can be female mallard, 1 pintail, 2 canvasback, 2 redhead and 2 scaup. No scaup can be taken after Jan. 12, 2025. COOT: 25. No scaup can be taken after Jan 12, 2024. Possession Limit: 3 daily bag limits.	October 05, 2024	October 22, 2024	See Brochure
Western Zone	Area: West of Continental Divide not included in the Eastern Zone. Daily Bag Limit, DUCK & MERGANSER: 7 in aggregate. Of these, no more than 2 can be female mallard, 1 pintail, 2 canvasback, 2 redhead and 2 scaup. No scaup can be taken after Jan. 12, 2025. COOT: 25. No scaup can be taken after Jan 12, 2024. Possession Limit: 3 daily bag limits.	November 06, 2024	January 31, 2025	See Brochure
Eastern Zone	Area: Routt, Grand, Summit, Eagle and Pitkin counties, those parts of the Saguache, San Juan, Hinsdale and Mineral counties west of Continental Divide, and part of Gunnison County except the North Fork of the Gunnison River Valley (GMUs 521, 53 and 63). and the part of Moffat County east of the northern intersection of CR 29 with the Moffat-Routt Co. line, South along CR 29 to the intersection of CR 29 with the Moffat-Routt County line (Elkhead Reservoir State Park). Daily Bag Limit, DUCK & MERGANSER: 7 in aggregate. Of these, no more than 2 can be female mallard, 1 pintail, 2 canvasback, 2 redhead and 2 scaup. No scaup can be taken after Dec. 24, 2024. COOT: 25. Possession Limit: 3 daily bag limits.	October 05, 2024	January 17, 2025	See Brochure
September Teal Season	Area: Lake and Chaffee counties and all areas east of I-25 Only teal can be harvested during this season. Teal can also be harvested during all other duck seasons, including the youth, veteran and active military hunt season. Daily Bag Limit: 6 teal-blue-winged, green-winged and cinnamon teal in aggregate. Possession Limit: 18.	September 14, 2024	September 22, 2024	See Brochure

Goose

Goose Seasons

Season	Notes	Start Date	End Date	Brochure
Central Flyway Regular Season: Dark Goose	Area: East of the Continental Divide, except areas designated as part of the special seasons below that include: North Park, San Luis Valley and South Park. Daily Bag Limit: 5. Possession Limit: 15.	November 04, 2024	February 16, 2025	See Brochure
Central Flyway Regular Season: Light Goose	Area: East of the Continental Divide, except areas designated as part of the special seasons below that include: North Park, San Luis Valley and South Park. Daily Bag Limit: 50. Possession Limit: Unlimited.	November 02, 2024	February 16, 2025	See Brochure
Central Flyway Light Goose Conservation Order Season	Area: East of I-25. Daily Bag Limit: Unlimited. Possession Limit: Unlimited. See "Legal Migratory Bird Hunting Methods" section of the brochure for special season rules.	February 17, 2025	April 30, 2025	See Brochure
Central Flyway North Park Season: Dark Goose	Area: Jackson County. Daily Bag Limit: 5. Possession Limit: 15.	October 05, 2024	January 17, 2025	See Brochure
Central Flyway North Park Season: Light Goose	Area: Jackson County. Daily Bag Limit: 50. Possession Limit: Unlimited.	November 02, 2024	February 16, 2025	See Brochure
Central Flyway San Luis Valley Season: Dark Goose	Area: Alamosa, Conejos, Costilla and Rio Grande counties, and the parts of Archuleta, Hinsdale, Mineral, Saguache and San Juan counties east of the Continental Divide. Daily Bag Limit: 5. Possession Limit: 15.	October 05, 2024	October 23, 2024	See Brochure
Central Flyway San Luis Valley Season: Dark Goose	Area: Alamosa, Conejos, Costilla and Rio Grande counties, and the parts of Archuleta, Hinsdale, Mineral, Saguache and San Juan counties east of the Continental Divide. Daily Bag Limit: 5. Possession Limit: 15.	November 23, 2024	February 16, 2025	See Brochure
Central Flyway San Luis Valley Season: Light Goose	Area: Alamosa, Conejos, Costilla and Rio Grande counties, and the parts of Archuleta, Hinsdale, Mineral, Saguache and San Juan counties east of the Continental Divide. Daily Bag Limit: 50. Possession Limit: Unlimited.	November 02, 2024	February 16, 2025	See Brochure
Central Flyway South Park Season - Dark Goose	Chaffee, Custer, Fremont, Lake, Park and Teller counties. Daily Bag Limit: 5. Possession Limit: 15.	October 05, 2024	January 17, 2025	See Brochure
Central Flyway South Park Season - Light Goose	Chaffee, Custer, Fremont, Lake, Park and Teller counties. Daily Bag Limit: 50. Possession Limit: Unlimited	November 02, 2024	February 16, 2025	See Brochure
Pacific Flyway Early Canada Goose Season	West of Continental Divide. Daily Bag Limit: 5. Possession Limit: 15.	September 01, 2024	September 09, 2024	See Brochure
Pacific Flyway Western Zone: Dark Goose	West of Continental Divide not included in Eastern Zone. Daily Bag Limit: 5. Possession Limit: 15.	October 05, 2024	October 13, 2024	See Brochure
Pacific Flyway Western Zone: Dark Goose	West of Continental Divide not included in Eastern Zone. Daily Bag Limit: 5. Possession Limit: 15.	November 06, 2024	January 31, 2025	See Brochure
Pacific Flyway Western Zone: Light Goose	West of Continental Divide not included in Eastern Zone. Daily Bag Limit: 10. Possession Limit: 30.	October 05, 2024	October 13, 2024	See Brochure
Pacific Flyway Western Zone: Light Goose	West of Continental Divide not included in Eastern Zone. Daily Bag Limit: 10. Possession Limit: 30.	November 06, 2024	January 31, 2025	See Brochure
Pacific Flyway Eastern Zone: Dark Goose	Routt, Grand, Summit, Eagle and Pitkin counties, those parts of the Saguache, San Juan, Hinsdale and Mineral counties west of Continental Divide, and part of Gunnison County except the North Fork of the Gunnison River Valley (GMUs 521, 53 and 63). and the part of Moffat County east of the northern intersection of CR 29 with the Moffat-Routt Co. line, south along CR 29 to the intersection of CR 29 with the Moffat-Routt County line (Elkhead Reservoir State Park). Daily Bag Limit: 5. Possession Limit: 15.	October 05, 2024	January 08, 2025	See Brochure
Pacific Flyway Eastern Zone: Light Goose	Routt, Grand, Summit, Eagle and Pitkin counties, those parts of the Saguache, San Juan, Hinsdale and Mineral counties west of Continental Divide, and part of Gunnison County except the North Fork of the Gunnison River Valley (GMUs 521, 53 and 63). and the part of Moffat County east of the northern intersection of CR 29 with the Moffat-Routt Co. line, south along CR 29 to the intersection of CR 29 with the Moffat-Routt County line (Elkhead Reservoir State Park). Daily Bag Limit: 10. Possession Limit: 30.	October 05, 2024	January 08, 2025	See Brochure

Youth, Veteran and Active Military

Youth, Veteran and Active Military

Youth Hunters

Hunting in youth seasons is restricted to youth ages 17 and younger with a mentor. Mentors cannot hunt during youth waterfowl seasons.

Veterans and Active-military Hunters

Hunting in veteran and active-military seasons is restricted to veterans and members of the Armed Forces on active duty, including members of the National Guard and Reserves.

Valid U.S. Military ID (active duty, dependent, retired, VA, reserve and national guard) while out hunting include:

DD214;
DD Form 2;
DD Form 2765;
Active, retired or veteran military identification cards;
A current Colorado Driver’s License or state issued identification card with the word ‘Veteran’ printed on it as specified in 42-2-303 (5)(a), C.R.S.;
VA medical card; or
For members of the National Guard and Reserves, current military orders for active duty other than training.

Youth, Veteran and Active Military Seasons

Season	Notes	Start Date	End Date	Brochure
Central Flyway: All Zones	Daily Bag Limit: Duck, Merganser, Coot: 6, in the aggregate. Up to 5 can be mallard, but no more than 2 can be female mallard. Included in the daily bag limit of 6, you can have no more than 1 pintail, 2 canvasback, 2 redhead, 3 wood duck and 1 scaup. Coot: 15. Goose: 5 dark geese. Possession Limit: 3 daily bag limits.			See Brochure
Central Flyway: Northeast Zone	Area: East of I-25 and north of I-70.	October 12, 2024	October 13, 2024	See Brochure
Central Flyway: Southeast Zone	Area: East of I-25 and south of I-70, and all of El Paso, Pueblo, Huerfano and Las Animas counties.	October 19, 2024	October 20, 2024	See Brochure
Central Flyway: Mountain/Foothills Zone	Area: West of I-25 and east of the Continental Divide, except El Paso, Pueblo, Huerfano and Las Animas counties.	September 28, 2024	September 29, 2024	See Brochure
Pacific Flyway: Western Zone	Area: West of the Continental Divide not included in the Eastern Zone. Daily Bag Limit: Duck and Merganser: 7 in aggregate. Of these, no more than 2 can be female mallard, 1 pintail, 2 canvasback, 2 redhead and 2 scaup. Coot: 25, Goose: 5 dark geese, 10 light geese. Possession Limit: 3 daily bag limits.	October 26, 2024	October 27, 2024	See Brochure
Pacific Flyway: Eastern Zone	Area: Routt, Grand, Summit, Eagle and Pitkin counties, those parts of Saguache, San Juan, Hinsdale and Mineral counties west of the Continental Divide, and part of Gunnison Co., except the North Fork of the Gunnison River Valley (GMUs 53, 63 and 521), and the part of Moffat Co. east of the northern intersection of CR 29 with the Moffat-Routt Co. line, south along CR 29 to the intersection of CR 29 with the Moffat-Routt Co. line (Elkhead Reservoir State Park). Daily Bag Limit: Duck and Merganser: 7 in aggregate. Of those, no more than 2 can be female mallard, 1 pintail, 2 canvasback, 2 redhead and 2 scaup. Coot: 25. Goose: 5 dark geese, 10 light geese. Possession Limit: 3 daily bag limits.	September 28, 2024	September 29, 2024	See Brochure

Hunting Requirement

Harvest Information Program

Hunters planning to use their small game license small game, coyote, and migratory birds will need to obtain their Harvest Information Program (HIP) number online at CPWShop.com or at any CPW location or sales agent, before they can legally hunt. Hunters who only wish to hunt furbearers (excluding coyote) do not need to register.

Waterfowl hunter wading in the water holding two duck decoys.

Hunting Reservations

A selection of properties require hunting reservations to legally hunt waterfowl on in the Central and Pacific flyways. Reservation time slots start at 9:00 a.m. MT, and can be made up to 14 days before your hunt date.

Learn More About Hunting Reservations