Hunting the High Lonesome of the Rocky Mountain West
1. Start with Hunter Education
Hunter Education certification and your card number are required before applying for or purchasing a Colorado hunting license if you were born on or after 1/1/49. Colorado honors hunter education certifications from other states and provinces. Read more or find a class here.
2. Choose The Animal You Want to Hunt
Colorado offers 10 big game species. The Big Game brochure contains regulations for deer, elk, pronghorn, moose and bear and an identification page that helps identify animals by gender. Brochures are available online or in print from 750 license vendors throughout the state.
3. Decide Where to Hunt
Colorado is divided into hunting areas called game management units (GMUs). Each year, a limited number of licenses (sometimes called quota) are allotted to each GMU. Some licenses are also available over-the-counter and are not limited in number. Familiarity with your hunting area increases your chance for success. It is important that every hunter know the boundaries of their hunting area. Check out the state maps and unit descriptions in the brochure or online.
4. Pick Your Hunting Season
In general, archery season starts in late August and last almost a month. Muzzleloader season starts in the middle of archery season, and four rifle seasons follow that. The first rifle season is limited to elk hunting only.
The second, third and fourth rifle seasons are combined seasons, where deer and elk hunters are in the field at the same time. The Colorado Big Game Hunting Planner lists season dates, fees, and application dates and deadlines. The five-year season structure overview is a useful long-range season date planner
5. Select Your Method of Take
Colorado offers distinct seasons for archery, muzzleloader and rifle hunting. Legal requirements for the various hunting methods and transporting them in the field are in the brochures.
6. Select Your Hunt Code(s)
You need a hunt code to apply for or buy a license. The hunt code includes the species, sex, game management unit, season/dates and method of take. How to read a hunt code and the tables where they are listed in the brochure are on page 9.
When submitting an application in April, you may apply with up to four hunt codes for one fee on each species application. On deer and elk applications, you can also apply in a second draw called the 'Leftover Draw' if you check the box that says "If unsuccessful, send me ('X the Leftover Draw'). Page 3 in the brochure explains your choices in more detail. If you do not draw, your application fee is refunded, but the $3 processing and $10 habitat stamp fee are retained.
7. Obtain and Understand Preference Points
You do not need preference points to purchase the remaining 2015 big game over-the-counter (OTC) licenses (on sale July 21, 2015) and leftover licenses (on sale August 4, 2015).
In fact, ninety to ninety-five percent of Colorado's GMUs require no preference points — or just a single preference point — in order to draw a limited license in those units. Preference points are earned when you apply for a limited license but are unsuccessful in drawing a license for your first-choice hunt or when you purchase a point through the application process. Many hunters collect points and also hunt each year. Researching the number of points required for the GMUs you want to hunt is useful before applying.
8. Study the Statistics
Colorado publishes several statistical reports that contain the license quotas, application stats, post-draw stats, number of preference points used to draw each license and harvest estimates. Learn how to read the reports online. If you are so inclined, studying the statistics of the unit(s) you are interested in hunting prior to applying can refine the choices you make on your application.
9. Available 2015 Over-The-Counter Licenses
Colorado offers an unlimited quantity of over-the-counter (OTC) bull elk rifle licenses during the second- and third- rifle seasons because we have the largest elk herds in North America. These OTC licenses do not require an application or preference points to purchase and are available. OTC archery elk, pronghorn and bear licenses are also available. See the OTC license maps and the bear section of the brochure for options.
10. Purchase a License or Fill Out Your Application
To purchase a license online, you'll need the following information handy:
MONTANA
Montana has the greatest number of species opportunities for the long range hunter. Bison, Black Bear, Mule Deer, Whitetail Deer, Elk, Pronghorn Antelope, Moose, Big Horn Sheep, Mountain Goat, Mountain Lion, and Wolf are all available.
To get started go to:
http://fwp.mt.gov/hunting/
On this hunting home page you will find headings as follows:
Regulations, Licenses and Permits, Season Dates, Hunt Planner, Drawing Status, Furbearers & Trapping which we're probably not too interested in, and Harvest/Quota Status. This last area can be used to narrow down the area most likely to yield a successful hunt.
Unlike Wyoming which is now closed to Non-Resident Elk Hunting Applications for 2016, Montana's regulations are published at various times and are as follows:
Bison—August 8, 2016
Black Bear—February 15, 2016
Deer/Elk/Antelope (or DEA as it's known in Montana)—March 2, 2016
Moose/Mountain Goat/Bighorn Sheep (MSG)—March 2, 2016
Mountain Lion—June 17, 2016
Wolf—July 14, 2016
To be prepared to apply for your hunt, you won't know the regs for the current year until on or after the above dates. You can however do your research on availability of land to hunt, whether it's public or private, type of terrain encountered, and whether or not you want to get an outfitter or go on your own.
Another thing you can do is look at the 2016 Season Date Card on the hunting home page under the subheading "Season Dates" to get a close idea to the opening and closing dates for the different species by license type.
Montana is vast as it is the 4th largest state in the Union with a population of approximately 1,000,000 people. Lots of room to hunt!
Next review these two sites also found on the home page to get your feet wet with the regs and access opportunities:
http://fwp.mt.gov/hunting/regulations/default.html
http://fwp.mt.gov/hunting/hunterAccess/privateLand/default.html
Once you've done that, go to the Hunt Planner and get started planning your Montana Hunt!
Hunter Education certification and your card number are required before applying for or purchasing a Colorado hunting license if you were born on or after 1/1/49. Colorado honors hunter education certifications from other states and provinces. Read more or find a class here.
2. Choose The Animal You Want to Hunt
Colorado offers 10 big game species. The Big Game brochure contains regulations for deer, elk, pronghorn, moose and bear and an identification page that helps identify animals by gender. Brochures are available online or in print from 750 license vendors throughout the state.
3. Decide Where to Hunt
Colorado is divided into hunting areas called game management units (GMUs). Each year, a limited number of licenses (sometimes called quota) are allotted to each GMU. Some licenses are also available over-the-counter and are not limited in number. Familiarity with your hunting area increases your chance for success. It is important that every hunter know the boundaries of their hunting area. Check out the state maps and unit descriptions in the brochure or online.
4. Pick Your Hunting Season
In general, archery season starts in late August and last almost a month. Muzzleloader season starts in the middle of archery season, and four rifle seasons follow that. The first rifle season is limited to elk hunting only.
The second, third and fourth rifle seasons are combined seasons, where deer and elk hunters are in the field at the same time. The Colorado Big Game Hunting Planner lists season dates, fees, and application dates and deadlines. The five-year season structure overview is a useful long-range season date planner
5. Select Your Method of Take
Colorado offers distinct seasons for archery, muzzleloader and rifle hunting. Legal requirements for the various hunting methods and transporting them in the field are in the brochures.
6. Select Your Hunt Code(s)
You need a hunt code to apply for or buy a license. The hunt code includes the species, sex, game management unit, season/dates and method of take. How to read a hunt code and the tables where they are listed in the brochure are on page 9.
When submitting an application in April, you may apply with up to four hunt codes for one fee on each species application. On deer and elk applications, you can also apply in a second draw called the 'Leftover Draw' if you check the box that says "If unsuccessful, send me ('X the Leftover Draw'). Page 3 in the brochure explains your choices in more detail. If you do not draw, your application fee is refunded, but the $3 processing and $10 habitat stamp fee are retained.
7. Obtain and Understand Preference Points
You do not need preference points to purchase the remaining 2015 big game over-the-counter (OTC) licenses (on sale July 21, 2015) and leftover licenses (on sale August 4, 2015).
In fact, ninety to ninety-five percent of Colorado's GMUs require no preference points — or just a single preference point — in order to draw a limited license in those units. Preference points are earned when you apply for a limited license but are unsuccessful in drawing a license for your first-choice hunt or when you purchase a point through the application process. Many hunters collect points and also hunt each year. Researching the number of points required for the GMUs you want to hunt is useful before applying.
8. Study the Statistics
Colorado publishes several statistical reports that contain the license quotas, application stats, post-draw stats, number of preference points used to draw each license and harvest estimates. Learn how to read the reports online. If you are so inclined, studying the statistics of the unit(s) you are interested in hunting prior to applying can refine the choices you make on your application.
9. Available 2015 Over-The-Counter Licenses
Colorado offers an unlimited quantity of over-the-counter (OTC) bull elk rifle licenses during the second- and third- rifle seasons because we have the largest elk herds in North America. These OTC licenses do not require an application or preference points to purchase and are available. OTC archery elk, pronghorn and bear licenses are also available. See the OTC license maps and the bear section of the brochure for options.
10. Purchase a License or Fill Out Your Application
To purchase a license online, you'll need the following information handy:
- Current and valid photo ID
- Proof of Hunter Education certification (card number)
- Proof of Colorado residency (if applicable)
- A 2016 Habitat Stamp, which you can purchase online
- Social Security number for new customers 12 years and older
- Hunt Code
- Credit Card (MasterCard, Visa, or Discover)
MONTANA
Montana has the greatest number of species opportunities for the long range hunter. Bison, Black Bear, Mule Deer, Whitetail Deer, Elk, Pronghorn Antelope, Moose, Big Horn Sheep, Mountain Goat, Mountain Lion, and Wolf are all available.
To get started go to:
http://fwp.mt.gov/hunting/
On this hunting home page you will find headings as follows:
Regulations, Licenses and Permits, Season Dates, Hunt Planner, Drawing Status, Furbearers & Trapping which we're probably not too interested in, and Harvest/Quota Status. This last area can be used to narrow down the area most likely to yield a successful hunt.
Unlike Wyoming which is now closed to Non-Resident Elk Hunting Applications for 2016, Montana's regulations are published at various times and are as follows:
Bison—August 8, 2016
Black Bear—February 15, 2016
Deer/Elk/Antelope (or DEA as it's known in Montana)—March 2, 2016
Moose/Mountain Goat/Bighorn Sheep (MSG)—March 2, 2016
Mountain Lion—June 17, 2016
Wolf—July 14, 2016
To be prepared to apply for your hunt, you won't know the regs for the current year until on or after the above dates. You can however do your research on availability of land to hunt, whether it's public or private, type of terrain encountered, and whether or not you want to get an outfitter or go on your own.
Another thing you can do is look at the 2016 Season Date Card on the hunting home page under the subheading "Season Dates" to get a close idea to the opening and closing dates for the different species by license type.
Montana is vast as it is the 4th largest state in the Union with a population of approximately 1,000,000 people. Lots of room to hunt!
Next review these two sites also found on the home page to get your feet wet with the regs and access opportunities:
http://fwp.mt.gov/hunting/regulations/default.html
http://fwp.mt.gov/hunting/hunterAccess/privateLand/default.html
Once you've done that, go to the Hunt Planner and get started planning your Montana Hunt!
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