The Big Game Application for Limited Licenses is complex and sometimes challenging to wade through. But once you learn the process and understand the fundamentals, you start to see the multitude of options available to the big game hunter. Follow along as we cover the types of licenses, the draw process, preference points, special license considerations, and helpful resources to plan your next successful hunt.
Important Big Game Application Dates
Primary draw applications are accepted March 1 – April 6 until 8:00 PM Mountain Time (MT)
Big game license payment deadline is June 11, 12:00 PM Mountain Time (MT)
Sheep/Goat license payment deadline is May 4, 12:00 PM Mountain Time (MT)
Related Resources
- Colorado Big Game Brochures
Find hunt codes, important dates, GMUs maps, regulations and more. - 2021 big-game primary draw application flowchart
https://cpw.state.co.us/Documents/BuyApply/2020-Application-Flow-Chart.pdf - Ranching for Wildlife (RFW)
https://cpw.state.co.us/thingstodo/Pages/RFW.aspx
This program provides Colorado residents a unique opportunity to hunt on private ranch land normally closed to the public. Participating ranches provide public hunting recreation access to their land free of charge to those who successfully draw licenses. - Big Game Draw & Hunting Statistics
https://cpw.state.co.us/thingstodo/Pages/Statistics.aspx
These reports show how many licenses were available in all big game management units throughout Colorado, how many hunters applied for those limited licenses, how many of those hunters were successful drawing and how many preference points it took to be successful. - Colorado Hunting Atlas
http://ndismaps.nrel.colostate.edu/huntingatlas
The Colorado Hunting Atlas allows users to view big game concentrations and game management units on top of street maps, USGS topographic maps or high-resolution color aerial photography. - 2021 Colorado Outdoors Preference Point Issue (Online Edition)
- 2021 Colorado Herd Counts (Online Edition)
Bryan Posthumus is the Statewide Hunter Outreach Coordinator for Colorado Parks and Wildlife.