Over-the-counter Big Game Licenses on Sale in Colorado
OutdoorHub 07.10.12
Colorado Parks and Wildlife is reminding sportsmen that over-the-counter big game licenses are being sold as of this morning (Tuesday, July 10). The licenses, which are for elk and bear hunting in the state, went on sale at 9 a.m. (Mountain Time) and will be available through the upcoming hunting seasons or until supplies run out, depending on the license type.
Over-the-counter licenses include the statewide bull elk tags for second and third rifle season, which are unlimited in number and available through the rifle seasons. Statewide archery either-sex or cow elk licenses are also available as unlimited over-the-counter licenses until the archery season ends on Sept. 23. Archery, muzzleloader and rifle bear licenses are also available as over-the-counter license but bear licenses are capped and stop being sold when the set license quota for a specific unit is reached. Some bear units sell out quickly. A list of available over-the-counter licenses is updated every 15 minutes on the Colorado Parks and Wildlife website at http://wildlife.state.co.us/Apps/WildlifeLicenseReports/BigGame/pdf/otccap.pdf.
Hunters can pick up their over-the-counter licenses at more than 730 authorized license sales agents around the state, at Colorado Parks and Wildlife service centers, by phone, or on-line. A list of license agents can be found online at http://wildlife.state.co.us/ShopDOW/AppsAndLicenses/LicenseAgents/Pages/licenseagents.aspx. Hunters can buy a license over the phone by calling 1-800-244-5613. Online purchases can be made by clicking on the “Buy and Apply for Licenses” button at http://wildlife.state.co.us/ShopDOW/AppsAndLicenses/Pages/totallicensing.aspx
Colorado’s elk population is the largest in the North America with approximately 264,000 elk. Colorado also boasts more than 23 million acres of public land accessible to hunters. Colorado offers non-residents and residents the opportunity to purchase unlimited over-the-counter licenses for bull elk. In a select number of units, archery hunters can purchase both an unlimited over-the-counter bull tag and an over-the-counter antlerless elk tag.
Hunters with questions about what licenses they can purchase and where licenses are valid can find more information on-line or by phone with one of the new Colorado Parks and Wildlife Hunt Planners at 303-291-PLAN. Hunt planners are hunters themselves and well versed in the opportunities available around the state.
Over-the-counter licenses shouldn’t be confused with “Leftover” licenses – limited licenses that went unsold during the limited license drawing process. Leftover licenses will not be sold until Tuesday, Aug. 14.
