Turkey Hunting
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Video: Livin' the Wildlife: Turkeys
An Introduction to Turkeys
Hunting Turkey in Colorado
The wild turkey is beloved among hunters and wildlife enthusiasts alike. The wild turkey's springtime mating displays are one of the most exciting and stunning events in nature. Yet, these iconic birds only exist today because of dedicated conservation programs. This video provides an overview of the wild turkey's mating behavior and Colorado Parks and Wildlife's long-standing efforts to conserve this amazing species. The video features both Rio Grande turkeys, which were introduced to Colorado in the 1980s, and the native Merriam's turkeys.
Need a License?
Are you interested in hunting turkey this fall? You have a couple of options.
- Fall Over-the-Counter Turkey License—Over-the-counter (OTC) licenses are usually unlimited in number and available over the counter. These licenses are not available through the draw process. View the Colorado Turkey Brochure for dates and a map with huntable game management units (GMUs)
- Remaining Turkey Limited Licenses—Available limited licenses are the limited licenses remaining after the draw is completed. The list can include reissued licenses, which were returned for a refund or preference points.
The fall turkey season opens September 1, 2024.
Turkey Season Dates
Season |
Notes |
Start Date |
End Date |
Add to Calendar |
Maps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Spring Turkey |
April 13, 2024 |
May 31, 2024 |
See brochure | ||
|
Fall Turkey |
September 01, 2024 |
October 25, 2024 |
See Brochure | ||
|
Late Season Turkey |
December 15, 2024 |
January 15, 2024 |
See Brochure |
Hunt dates vary by license type and hunt location and some licenses are valid only on certain dates. See the hunt tables in the turkey brochure for deteai
Turkey Hunting License Fees
License |
Hunter |
Fee |
|---|---|---|
|
Resident and Nonresident |
$12.15 |
|
|
Application Fee |
Resident Application Processing Fee (limited licenses, nonrefundable) |
$8.00 |
|
Application Fee |
Nonresident Application Processing Fee (limited licenses, nonrefundable) |
$10.00 |
|
Spring Turkey |
Resident |
$35.76 |
|
Fall Turkey |
Resident |
$29.69 |
|
Spring or Fall Turkey |
Nonresident |
$183.94 |
|
Youth Turkey Spring or Fall (under age 18) |
Resident |
$18.75 |
|
Youth Turkey Spring or Fall (under age 18) |
Nonresident |
$123.21 |
- All prices include a 25-cent search-and-rescue fee, a $1.50 for the Wildlife Council surcharge.
Need to Know
What you need to buy a license
- Proper identification and proof of residency (for Colorado residents).
- Proof of hunter education.
- Habitat Stamp: An annual ($12.15) or lifetime ($364.63) Habitat Stamp is required prior to buying a license for anyone ages 18–64.
Note: Per federal law, hunters age 12 and older must have a Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number.
Turkey Hunting License Options
Spring Limited Licenses
Limited licenses are limited in number by regulation and are issued through a draw process. Hunters must apply and be successful in the draw (unless purchased as a leftover or reissued license after the draw) in order to get one of these licenses, which are valid on public or private land within the unit(s) listed, unless otherwise specified below. Hunters must always get landowner permission before hunting on private land.
Spring Ranching for Wildlife
Public Ranching for Wildlife (RFW) licenses are available only to Colorado residents by draw. Licenses are valid for the dates and ranch on the license. RFW licenses are listed with hunt codes below. Landowners must provide free access to hunters who draw a license for the ranch. By applying for a RFW license, hunters allow CPW to provide applicant information to the ranch. Hunting rules are different for each ranch; read ranch rules on the CPW website before applying. Visit the Ranching for Wildlife page for more information.
Spring Over-The-Counter (OTC) Licenses
Over-the-counter (OTC) licenses are usually unlimited in number and available over the counter. These licenses are not available through the draw process. View the Colorado Turkey Brochure for dates and a map with huntable game management units (GMUs).
Additional Opportunities
Fishers Peak State Park Hunting Opportunities
Up to five hunters will have the opportunity to hunt turkey on Fishers Peak, near Trinidad, in Spring 2024. Access is by permit only, issued by drawing. Information about how to apply for these opportunities will be posted online by February 1, 2024.
Fall Limited Licenses
Limited licenses are limited in number by regulation and are issued through a draw process. Hunters must apply and be successful in the draw (unless purchased as a leftover or reissued license after the draw) in order to get one of these licenses, which are valid on public or private land within the unit(s) listed, unless otherwise specified below. Hunters must always get landowner permission before hunting on private land.
Fall Ranching for Wildlife
Public Ranching for Wildlife (RFW) licenses are available only to Colorado residents by draw. Licenses are valid for the dates and ranch on the license. RFW licenses are listed with hunt codes below. Landowners must provide free access to hunters who draw a license for the ranch. By applying for a RFW license, hunters allow CPW to provide applicant information to the ranch. Hunting rules are different for each ranch; read ranch rules on the CPW website before applying. Visit the Ranching for Wildlife page for more information.
Fall Over-The-Counter (OTC) Licenses
Over-the-counter (OTC) licenses are usually unlimited in number and available over the counter. These licenses are not available through the draw process. View the Colorado Turkey Brochure for dates and a map with huntable game management units (GMUs).
Late Season Licenses: Private Land Only
Hunters may purchase up to two beardless turkey licenses during the late season. These are available over-the-counter for hunting on Private Land Only within the game management unit where the license holder has permission to hunt. Get landowner permission before buying a license.
Youth Licenses
Youth under age 18 can buy or apply for a reduced-cost turkey license. All hunters, including those younger than 18, must meet hunter education requirements. Those under 16 must also be accompanied by a mentor while hunting. There is no minimum age to hunt turkey, as long as these requirements are met. A mentor must be 18 or older and must meet hunter education requirements. Mentors aren’t required to hunt. While hunting, youth and mentors must be able to see and hear each other without binoculars, radios or other aids.
Youth younger than 18 can buy an adult license as long as they meet hunter education requirements. At age 18, youth must buy an adult license. Youth are considered to be the age they are on the date they submit their draw application. For example, if a 17-year-old submits an application and then turns 18 prior to the start of the turkey season for which they applied, they are still considered a youth and qualify for the youth license.
Outreach Licenses
Outreach licenses for youth are offered to qualified organizations sponsoring educational youth hunting activities. A maximum of 200 licenses are offered for private land and are limited to youth under 18 years of age.
Outreach licenses for novice adults are now offered to qualified organizations sponsoring novice adult hunting activities. A maximum of 200 licenses are offered on a first come, first served basis to organizations and are limited to novice adult hunters. A novice adult hunter is a Colorado resident age 18 or older, who has either no turkey license purchase history, only held a turkey license(s) in the NEW current or previous year. or has no turkey license purchase history in the previous five years.
To learn more, please visit our Outreach and Education page.
Have you completed your hunter education course?
Colorado law requires that individuals born on or after January 1, 1949, must complete an approved hunter education course before applying for or purchasing a Colorado hunting license.
Already taken a hunter education course? Learn more about how to provide proof of completion.
Take a Hunter Education Class
Hunter education classes are available in-person in a classroom setting or online with an in-person completion exam.
Find a Hunter Education ClassGrow Your Archery Skills
Hunters that chose archery as their method of take can grow their skills prior to hunting season by taking a bowhunter education class.
Find a Bowhunter Education ClassMentored Hunts
New to Hunting?
Colorado Parks and Wildlife's Hunter Outreach Program offers free educational hunting opportunities (turkey, big game, small game, wat) for youth, adults, and families with limited outdoor experience to learn ethical hunting practices from experienced staff and volunteers.
Mentored Turkey Hunts for Adults
Many of us didn't have a chance to learn how to hunt growing up. Adults can apply for a concise, distraction-free experience to learn how to hunt turkey with other adults. Mentored turkey hunting opportunities for women to learn to hunt turkey in a comfortable environment are also available.
Mentored Turkey Hunts for Youth
Youth ages 12 to 17 can apply for a free educational, safe, and ethical mentored turkey hunts with experienced CPW staff and volunteers. Youth will work through hunting clinics, seminars, and actual hunts in the field.
Opportunities for Everyone
Youth Hunters
Youth hunters have youth-only hunting opportunities including small game, extended seasons for deer, elk, and pronghorn, and hunter outreach opportunities for big game (including moose), small game, waterfowl, and turkey hunting experiences.
Nonresident Hunters
Nonresident hunters have a percentage of deer, elk, bighorn sheep, and mountain goat licenses set aside for them. They can also participate in group hunts and are eligible for a combo hunting and fishing license.
Resident Hunters
Residents have the option to participate in both big game draws, and apply for or purchase hybrid draw licenses, leftover licenses, reissued licenses, over-the-counter licenses, fishing and hunting combo licenses, raffle licenses, group hunts, and ranching for wildlife hunts.
Hunters Experiencing Disabilities
Resident hunters experiencing disabilities can request accommodations for visual and physical disabilities to assist with their hunts.
New Hunters
New hunters can apply to go on mentored big game, small game, waterfowl, pheasant, and turkey hunts with the hunter outreach program, participate in a year long hunting experience with the rookie sportsperson program, and continue to broaden their skills past their initial hunter education course with regularly offered hunting classes to practice and hone techniques. Specific classes are also offered for women to learn in a comfortable environment.
Hunters in the Military
Colorado residents who are deployed active duty military can apply to purchase leftover hunting licenses or receive a preference point in advance, or apply for a refund if deployed after their purchase. Veterans experiencing disabilities can apply for a lifetime combo fishing hunting license, and apply for accommodation while hunting. Veterans may also apply for big game licenses through the Wounded Warrior program.
Colorado Turkey Hunting Brochures
Colorado Turkey Hunting Brochure
Be sure to read the “What’s New” pages to see a full list of changes on tap for the upcoming hunting seasons.
Download the Brochure