Colorado’s big game hunting season is almost here. As hunters prepare during the weeks ahead, the Colorado Division of Wildlife reminds hunters to be aware of the following items before entering the field this season:
CWD Testing
Beginning this year, chronic wasting disease (CWD) testing is now $25 at all DOW submission sites. The DOW has increased hunter testing fees to help cover a larger share of the costs associated with the CWD testing program. Currently, it costs the DOW nearly $100 for processing, testing, head disposal and reporting for each submission.
Testing is voluntary for elk and deer in all Game Management Units for the 2009-10 seasons. Moose testing for CWD is mandatory statewide and is free at all DOW submission sites.
For further information on CWD and the Division’s testing program, please visit: http://wildlife.state.co.us/Hunting/BigGame/CWD/
Leftover Licenses
Big game licenses are still available for the upcoming seasons. Leftover and general over-the-counter licenses, as well as over-the-counter bear licenses and turkey licenses (with caps), are available for purchase online (www.wildlife.state.co.us), by telephone (1-800-244-5613) and at statewide license agents and Division of Wildlife offices. A list of all available leftover licenses is available at: http://wildlife.state.co.us/Hunting/BigGame/Leftovers/ .
Shooting Ranges
Hunters are encouraged to sight-in rifles prior to entering the field. Hunters familiar with their equipment make hunting safer for everyone, and practice improves marksmanship and builds confidence.
Sighting-in of firearms is especially important for nonresident hunters. Scopes and equipment may get knocked out of alignment during transit, and practicing at a range close to the hunting destination provides a last-minute equipment check.
Colorado offers convenient and diverse public shooting ranges that are open year-round. A large number of private ranges also offer public “sight-in” days prior to the major hunting seasons.
For a listing of shooting ranges by region, please visit: http://wildlife.state.co.us/Hunting/ShootingRanges/
Hunter Education ‘Crash’ Courses
All hunters born on or after Jan. 1, 1949 must complete an approved hunter education course prior to hunting in Colorado. The Colorado Division of Wildlife offers one-day “crash” hunter education courses intended, primarily, for non-resident hunters who wish to hunt in Colorado but do not have a valid hunter education certificate/card from their state of residence.
Crash courses are taught during one, eight-hour day of intensive instruction, within one week of the opening of a regular big game rifle season. This compressed instruction and scheduling enables non-resident hunters to come to Colorado, take and pass the hunter education course and hunt—all in concert with their trip.
Successful completion of a crash course earns a temporary Colorado Hunter Education Certificate, which is valid until the end of the calendar year in which the course was taken and passed.
For a schedule and listing of available crash courses, please visit: http://wildlife.state.co.us/Hunting/HunterEducation/CRASH+Courses/HECrash.htm
For further information about Colorado’s big game hunting seasons, please visit: http://wildlife.state.co.us/Hunting/BigGame/
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For more information about Division of Wildlife go to: http://wildlife.state.co.us.
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