Secondary Draw Offers Great Opportunities to Get a Big Game License
Hunters who did not apply or draw a limited big game license in the primary draw should be aware they still have the opportunity to draw an elk, deer, pronghorn, and bear hunting licenses license in Colorado’s secondary draw.
Available License Lists
Most elk, deer, pronghorn, and bear hunting licenses not issued through the primary draw will be made available in Colorado’s secondary draw, which is open to hunters, whether they applied for the primary draw or not. View the available license lists.
Plan and Apply
Important Dates
- JUNE 20: Secondary draw applications accepted starting on this date.
- JUNE 28: Secondary draw application & correction deadline, 8 p.m. MT
- JULY 8: Secondary draw results posted online (check your online account)
- JULY 10: Surrender period deadline, 11:59 p.m. MT
- JULY 22: Secondary draw license payment deadline, 11:59 p.m. MT
- JULY 26: Secondary draw licenses in the mail
Applications OPENED on June 20, 2024
APPLY BY PHONE: 800-244-5613
Some things to remember about the secondary draw:
- You must have a qualifying license to apply for the secondary draw.
- Fall turkey licenses are now valid qualifying licenses!
- The $8.00 resident and $10.00 nonresident application fees apply.
- The secondary draw does not use preference points, and you cannot apply for preference points.
- Applications are for individuals only, not groups.
- Youth receive preference for all hunt codes in the secondary draw.
What licenses will you find on the lists?
Most licenses not awarded in the primary draw will be available in the secondary draw. Additionally, you may see a license available in the secondary draw that you were unsuccessful at drawing in the primary draw. There are a couple of ways this happens. If a customer returns a license or fails to pay for the license they were awarded in the primary draw, CPW may reissue the license in the secondary draw. Please visit the Colorado Parks and Wildlife website to learn more about License Refunds, Reissues, Reversals, and Exchanges.
Helpful Resources
- Colorado Big Game Brochure – An essential resource for any Colorado hunter. Be sure to read the entire “what’s new” section in the brochures before purchasing a license or hunting this fall.
- The Colorado Hunting Atlas – 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. The Hunter Resource Report allows hunters to create a list of important emergency and contact information, field office locations, campgrounds, CPW sales agents, and more.
- Big Game Hunting Statistics – Check out Colorado’s Estimated Harvest and Population Estimate Reports. Learn how to read the reports online.
- Colorado Game Management Unit (GMU) Videos – Need to find a new hunting area? In this video series, Colorado’s wildlife officers answer frequently asked questions, discuss access, describe animal movement, and more.
- License Refunds, Reissues, Reversals, and Exchanges – If you have any questions about returning your license, please visit the Colorado Parks and Wildlife website for more details.
- CPWshop.com – Apply for the secondary draw.
2 Responses
Why does it start on Thursday and not the beginning of the week? Also how come I got turned down in the first draw and now there’s tags in the second draw? What is going on???
From the article above: “Most licenses not awarded in the primary draw will be available in the secondary draw. Additionally, you may see a license available in the secondary draw that you were unsuccessful at drawing in the primary draw. There are a couple of ways this happens. If a customer returns a license or fails to pay for the license they were awarded in the primary draw, CPW may reissue the license in the secondary draw.”