Colorado Parks And Wildlife Reissue List (2024)

FAQs

Can you buy over the counter cow elk tags in Colorado? ›

Elk tags can be bought over the counter (OTC) or acquired by drawing through the lottery tag system. Both bull and cow elk licenses/tags are $66.12 for residents, and non-residents will pay $803.39 for both a bull or cow tag (prices subject to change annually).

BEFORE applying for the big game draw, all adult & youth applicants MUST first purchase a qualifying license before they can apply for the draw. 2024 DRAW INFORMATION: The primary draw application deadline is 4/2/2024 at 8 p.m. MT. The secondary draw application deadline is 6/28/2024 at 8 p.m. MT.

But even if you're a nonresident, there are many good mule deer hunts that can be drawn with very few points. Unlike elk in Colorado, there are no over-the-counter licenses for mule deer. All mule deer tags are issued in the annual big game draw. The application deadline is the first Tuesday in April.

There's no need to worry if you can't find your CO fishing license. All you need to do is explain what happened and that it's currently lost, and you'll be eligible for a reprint. Complete an affidavit detailing how you lost your license, and head to your local license retailer to get it replaced.

Last week in the trend of resident vs. non-resident controversy, the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission voted to end OTC elk tags for archery hunting in 2025. The number of non-resident archery elk hunters now exceeds the number of resident hunters in Colorado. Colorado hunters voiced their dismay.

The "Trophy” Units

Ask any elk hunter worth his weight in lead what the top hunting units are in Colorado, and GMUs 1, 2, 10 and 201 in the far northwest corner of the state rise to the top of the list like smoke from a muzzleloader. Bulls in the 300-plus size are common and elk tend to stay put over the seasons.

At the same time, if you just want to hunt elk and aren't worried about the record books, Colorado and Idaho are your best states for a tag. The increased opportunity often comes at a price, though. In many units, you're more likely to see other hunters and less likely to see big bulls.

Meanwhile all combined OTC elk hunts (rifle + archery) in Colorado have seen an increase of over 24% by Nonresidents, from 35,818 in 2014 to 44,409 in 2021.

Colorado limits elk tags for each hunter by classifying licenses as either List A, B or C. As a general rule you can get two tags: either one List A and one List B tag or two List B tags. You cannot get two List A tags, nor can you get one List A and two List B.

Colorado Eliminates Over-the-Counter Archery Elk Tags for Nonresidents. On Wednesday the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission voted 9-1 in favor of ending over-the-counter archery elk tags for nonresident hunters.

Are pronghorn tags over the counter in Colorado? ›

Over-the-Counter (OTC) Licenses

Some licenses for elk, pronghorn, and bear are available without needing to enter the draw(s) and are not restricted in quantity (unlimited). Find more information on over-the-counter licenses in the Big Game brochure.

Over-the-Counter and Add-on Bear Licenses

These are sold online, by phone, at sales agents and CPW locations for rifle, archery and muzzleloader seasons. OTC archery and muzzleloader bear licenses are add-on only licenses.

A fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older who wants to fish in Colorado. The only time you may legally fish without a license is during state-sanctioned free fishing days, usually on the first full weekend of June each year.

What is the Punishment? If you are found guilty of fishing without a license in the state of Colorado, the punishment is a fine that is equal to twice the cost of the most expensive license for the species and ten license suspension points. C.R.S. 33-6-107.

A second rod stamp is required to use a second fishing rod but does not increase bag limits.

After nearly a decade of debate and rising tensions, Colorado wildlife commissioners have voted to eliminate nonresident OTC archery elk tags.

General Elk Tags for Non-Residents in Five Western States for 2022 Elk Hunting Season. Colorado tags are called OTC (Over-the-Counter). In Idaho, Utah, Oregon and Washington they are called General Season Tags/Permits/Licenses. All can be bought over the counter as long as the limit has not sold out.

At the same time, if you just want to hunt elk and aren't worried about the record books, Colorado and Idaho are your best states for a tag. The increased opportunity often comes at a price, though. In many units, you're more likely to see other hunters and less likely to see big bulls.

COLORADO PARKS & WILDLIFE • 1313 Sherman St. Room 618, Denver, CO 80203 • 303-297-1192 • cpw.state.co.us. ANTLER-POINT RESTRICTIONS: In most units, bull elk taken must have 4 points* or more on 1 antler OR must have a brow tine** at least 5 inches long.