Colorado draws hunters seeking thrills and challenges with its huge public areas and abundant bird populations. This page will cover Colorado’s turkey game schedule, including bag restrictions, strategies, and rules.
Colorado Turkey Season
April and May are when the game takes place. It is important to remember that permits and costs vary based on the hunter’s status as a resident or nonresident and the kind of license needed. Additionally, a yearly Habitat Stamp is required for all license holders.
| Season | Dates |
|---|---|
| Spring | April 13 – May 31 |
| May 4 – May 31 | |
| April 27 – May 31 | |
| April 13 – April 22 | |
| Youth | April 13 – May 31 |
| Fall | Sept. 1 – Oct. 6 |
| Sept. 1 – Oct. 25 | |
| Sept. 14 – Sept. 23 | |
| Late Dec. 15, 2024 – Jan. 15, 2025 |
Bag Limit
| Season | Bag Limit | Possession Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 bearded | 2 bearded |
| (1 limited, 1 OTC) | ||
| Fall | 1 | 2 |
| Late Season | 2 beardless | 2 beardless |
Licenses
| License Type | Resident Fee | Nonresident Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Resident Limited Youth License | $17.86 | $116.79 |
| Resident Over-the-counter Youth License | $17.86 | $116.79 |
| Nonresident Limited Youth License | $116.79 | $116.79 |
| Nonresident Over-the-counter Youth License | $116.79 | $116.79 |
| Nonresident Limited Spring or Fall License | $174.30 | $174.30 |
| Nonresident Over-the-counter Spring or Fall License | $174.30 | $174.30 |
| Nonresident Late Season License | $174.30 | $174.30 |
| Resident Spring Turkey License | $31.41 | $76.41 |
| Resident Fall Turkey License | $26.12 | $101.12 |
| Nonresident Spring Turkey License | $76.41 | $101.12 |
| Nonresident Fall Turkey License | $101.12 | $101.12 |
| Habitat Stamp (required for all license holders) | $10.59 | $10.59 |
Tagging & Reporting
After killing a turkey, hunters must quickly take off, sign, and date the body tag on the bottom of their hunting license. This tag must be attached to the bird and stay there while it is being moved, in camp, stored, or on the hunter’s property. Hunters must get a duplicate carcass tag before going on the hunt. They must show that the loss, detachment, or destruction was unintentional if the tag is accidentally lost, detached, or destroyed. Duplicates may be acquired by submitting proof to one of the CPW regional offices specified on the inside front cover. These rules aid in ensuring accurate game harvest management and monitoring.
Hunting Regulations
- Shotguns, handheld bows, crossbows, and rifles/handguns may be used to hunt, although with limits. Shotguns and muzzleloading shotguns should store no more than three rounds in the magazine and chamber combined and use size #2 or smaller shot. Single slugs are prohibited. Handheld bows and crossbows are allowed. Rifles and pistols with 17-grain bullets and a manufacturer’s energy rating of 110 foot-pounds at 100 yards are authorized in the autumn and late season. Turkeys may be captured over standing crops or feed spread only for agricultural reasons using artificial decoys and hand calls, but recorded or electronically amplified calls are banned. Hunters must observe all guidelines to protect animals and the environment.
- Avoid unlawful game practices to protect animals and respect laws. Signing or displaying public land as private is unlawful. Except for exclusive-control leases, this is illegal. Pursuing without authorization is also prohibited.
- Hunting, intercepting, chasing, harassing, or driving animals from a motor vehicle, motorbike, off-highway vehicle, snowmobile, or aircraft is illegal. Using a loaded rifle or shotgun in a car is prohibited. Alcohol or drug-impaired is also prohibited.
- Using artificial light is illegal. Hunters should also correctly dress and prepare edible wildlife meat for human consumption. Party hunting is prohibited.
- Using recorded or amplified calls and bait is illegal. SWAs prohibit permanent blinds and tree stands. SWAs allow only movable blinds or tree stands. After usage, remove these. Blinds and stands must display the hunter’s CID and usage dates.
- Internet or remote technology used during hunting or fishing is likewise prohibited. This includes wildlife-searching drones. Hunters and anglers must be nearby. Live-action game cams cannot be used to find, surveil, or help locate or surveil game species to take/try to take it the same or the next day.
- It is legal from one-half hour before dawn till sundown.
- State law demands a Social Security number for hunting and fishing licenses. Child Support Enforcement might seek this information. Child support arrears prevent hunting and fishing permits. Child support nonpayers lose their licenses. This policy enforces child support and encourages ethical hunting and fishing.
- Under Colorado and federal law, convicted domestic violence offenders cannot own guns, including for hunting. This law encourages gun safety and responsible gun ownership. Prior convicts should contact law enforcement to see how the rules apply.
FAQ
Are there any additional fees for turkey hunting in Colorado?
The yearly Habitat Stamp costs $10.59 for residents and nonresidents and is required for all license holders. The license cost includes a 25-cent search-and-rescue fee and a $1.50 Wildlife Council levy. Additionally, there are application fees of $8 for residents and $1 for nonresidents.
