4 Significant Changes For Colorado Big Game Hunters
The release of Colorado’s Sheep & Goat and Big Game brochures brings the promise and excitement of new hunting seasons. With over-the-counter maps, hunt codes, season dates
Doug Skinner
Nature’s Dinner Table
On a recent outing along the Colorado River, wildlife photographer Richard Spitzer witnessed the power and beauty of raptors in a way that few ever will. In the series of photos below, Spitzer captures golden eagles, a bald eagle, and a number of magpies in a heated competition for a seat at nature’s dinner table. Warning: While the following photos showcase the agility and magnificence of some of Colorado’s largest raptors, they do depict graphic content.
Read more2019 COLORADO OUTDOORS PREFERENCE POINT ISSUE
If you’re a Colorado big-game hunter, now’s the time to prepare for the 2019 hunting seasons.
Colorado Outdoors, Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s conservation magazine, is a valuable planning resource for hunters. The Jan/Feb issue features big-game preference points for deer, elk, pronghorn, bear, bighorn sheep, mountain goat
5-Year Big Game Season Structure
For more than 120 years, your contributions have supported wildlife conservation, ensuring that Colorado remains home to abundant wildlife and world-class hunting. Now is your chance to look toward the future!
Read moreStatewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP)
As Coloradans, living life outside is what we do. Whether hunting, fishing, hiking, biking or engaging in other forms of recreation, the majority of us spend valuable time enjoying Colorado’s magnificent outdoors. Statistically speaking, approximately 92% of Coloradans recreate in the outdoors at least once every few weeks and some, four or more times per week. With one of the country’s fastest-growing populations, however, residents and tourists are facing crowding at public recreation areas, maintenance backlogs and conflicting outdoor recreation pursuits.
Start 2019 0n the Right Foot
Hikers at Stagecoach State Park. All photos by © Nora Logue/CPW
Year’s end often leads us to reflect on the past and plan for the future. As Coloradans, we make outdoor recreation an important and valuable part of our busy lives. So we may find ourselves reflecting on the reward and reinvigoration of hunting seasons spent in the mountains and out on the plains; hikes to the tops of 14ers and relaxing walks in Colorado’s open spaces; or quiet mornings spent by a favorite fishing hole. Read more
Viewing Colorado’s Bighorn Sheep
For Colorado wildlife watchers, there are certain “must see” wildlife that should be on your bucket list – greater sage-grouse viewing in spring, wildflowers in early summer, sandhill cranes in early fall, and bighorn sheep in late fall and early winter. So, that makes this the prime time of the year for viewing bighorns. Read more
Get Out. Give Thanks. Fresh Air Friday!
Celebrate Fresh Air Friday on November 23 , 2018
This year, turn Black Friday into Fresh Air Friday by adding in blue skies, green trees and white snow! Colorado Parks & Wildlife encourages you to take time and explore the outdoors with free access to all 41 Colorado state parks on Fresh Air Friday, November 23, 2018! Read more
The Angler’s Crystal Ball
Josh Nehring shows a catfish from a recent survey. All photos by © Wayne Lewis/CPW.
Have you ever wished that you could see beneath the surface of a new fishing spot – just to get a quick glimpse – a small clue – of the variety and size of fish? Often, what lies beneath the surface of Colorado’s fishable waters would shock the average angler and, at times, even shocks CPW biologists. Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is the lead agency responsible for fisheries management of public waters in the state of Colorado. And while fishing pressure, weather changes and a number of other factors can impact fishing locations from year to year, CPW aquatic biologists spend a great deal of time in the field making sure that they have their fingers on the pulse of the underwater world. Read more
15 Items For A Colorado Big Game Hunt
It may be the crunch of dry leaves or sensing movement out of the corner of your eye that elevates your heart rate and turns a day out in nature into a hunting trip. While it’s easy to relax and become absorbed in nature, most of us are out there to put some healthy, free-range meat in our freezer. And as any successful big-game hunter will tell you, the real work begins after you’ve harvested your animal. No matter how you look at it, that statement is always true. If you hiked a couple of miles to locate your elk or deer, hiking back out with the meat, while rewarding, is going to be harder. Having a well-stocked big game backpack will help you through long days in the field and guarantee that you make the most out of your harvest. Read more