For Colorado hunters, the dove season presents a unique opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and test their skills. This guide delves into the essential details of the season, ensuring a successful and responsible hunting experience for all participants.
Bag Your Dove in Colorado: Season Dates
Mark your calendars! The Colorado dove hunting season officially opens on September 1st, and continues through November 29th.
Bag Limits & Timings
- Bag and Possession Limits: Hunters are limited to a daily bag limit of 15 doves and a possession limit of 30 doves. Remember, these limits apply per hunter, not per group.
- Legal Hunting Hours: Dove hunting in Colorado is only permitted during legal shooting hours. These hours typically begin 30 minutes before sunrise and end one hour after sunset. However, it’s essential to double-check the official regulations for any specific variations or exceptions.
Securing Your License: Fees and Procedures
Obtaining the necessary license is a crucial step before participating in any hunting activity in the state. Here’s what you need to know:
License Types: The state offers two types of dove licenses:
- Resident Small Game License: This license is valid for Colorado residents and allows them to hunt all small game species, including doves.
- Nonresident Small Game License: This license is required for non-residents wishing to hunt small game, including doves.
| License Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Resident Small Game License | $23.00 |
| Nonresident Small Game License | $133.00 |
Purchasing Your License: Obtaining your Colorado dove hunting license is a convenient process. You can:
- Purchase online: Visit the CPW website and follow the easy online purchasing process.
- Visit authorized vendors: Licenses are also available for purchase at various authorized CPW vendors located throughout the state. A list of vendors can be found on the CPW website.
Additional Considerations:
- Habitat Stamp: In addition to a hunting license, all hunters in Colorado are required to possess a valid habitat stamp. These stamps contribute to wildlife conservation efforts in the state.
- Hunter Safety Course: If you are a new hunter or haven’t completed a hunter safety course in the past several years, you may be required to take a hunter safety course before obtaining your license.
Familiarizing Yourself with Dove Regulations in Colorado
Responsible hunting requires adherence to established regulations. Here are some key points to remember:
Legal Hunting Methods:
- Shotguns only: Only shotguns are permitted.
- Ammunition restrictions: Ammunition used must be shotgun shells loaded with #7 or smaller shot. This regulation aims to reduce the risk of crippling birds and minimize the scattering of spent lead shot in the environment.
Baiting and Feeding Restrictions:
- Baiting and feeding of doves is strictly prohibited in Colorado. This regulation ensures fair chase and protects the natural food sources of doves.
Non-toxic Shot Requirement:
- Non-toxic shot is mandatory for all dove hunting in Colorado. This regulation helps protect the health of wildlife, including scavengers like eagles and hawks, which can ingest lead shot from birds they consume.
Additional Resources for Colorado Dove Hunters: Enhance Your Hunting Experience
Beyond the information provided here, several resources can further enrich your dove hunting experience:
- Colorado Parks and Wildlife Department Website : This official website serves as a comprehensive resource for all regulations, including dove game specifics. Stay informed about any updates or potential changes to regulations by referring to the official website.
- Interactive Hunting Maps: Utilize online resources like Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s interactive hunting maps to identify suitable dove game areas within the state. These maps often provide valuable information on public pursuing lands and wildlife management areas.
- Local Hunting Clubs and Organizations: Connecting with local hunting clubs or organizations can be a valuable source of information and guidance. Experienced hunters within these groups can offer insights into local dove game opportunities, strategies, and responsible pursuing practices.
