How to Get a Hunting License in Colorado

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By eHow Contributing Writer

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The beautiful and game-loaded state of Colorado has many intriguing types of game that attract hunters from all around the world. The terrain can be challenging and you may find yourself more comfortable with a hunting guide for your first few trips to the great outdoors. With the choice of hunting on private as well as public lands, all you need is a Colorado hunting license to begin your adventure.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Step 1

Apply for the HIP, Harvest Information Program, while getting your license. This is a free card that you must have if you are hunting small game and it facilitates the estimation of small game supply for the upcoming season.
Step 2

If hunting snow goose during the Light Goose Conservation Order Season, ask your local license office if you'll need a HIP card.
Step 3

Take a state hunting safety informational course. The state of Colorado mandates that every hunter born after December 31, 1948 must have taken and passed a hunter education course to be able to get a hunting license. This class teaches safety and information about equipment, as well as hunting safety tips. Hunters can take the course via the Internet, home-study or, if they are out of state, a flexible study course.
Step 4

Buy your Cap license for muzzle loading and rifle bear hunting early. There is a limited number of these licenses available, and hunters like this particular license because it allows them to hunt in great areas that are not part of the draw area.
Step 5

Submit your application for your hunting license online, over the phone, at a participating store or at any of Colorado's Department of Natural Resources offices.
Step 6

Put your name or group's names into the draw if you want to hunt big game. The draw is to tell you when and where during the season you can hunt. Groups that plan to hunt together can be put into the draw together so they can be sure to get the same area and time.
Step 7

Purchase a Habitat Stamp when buying your license for hunting on public lands. These $5 stamps help fund the conservation project to keep Colorado's lands full of wildlife. Hunters between the ages of 18 and 65 are the only ones who need to purchase Habitat stamps, and certain military and mobility-impaired hunters do not need this stamp.

Comments

JerryP said

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on 1/14/2009 We're Whitetail hunters from upstate NY, both rifle and muzzleloader and want to have a go at antelope and deer. How about Colorado? Can you obtain a license on the first attempt?