Turkey Hunting Regulations
TURKEY HUNTING LAWS
LEGAL HUNTING HOURS
Legal hunting hours for turkey are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. Go to cpw.state.co.us/huntingresources for a link to sunrise/sunset tables and more information.
ILLEGAL HUNTING METHODS
IT IS ILLEGAL TO:
- Post, sign or indicate that public lands (except if under an exclusive-control lease) are private.
- Hunt on private land without first obtaining permission from land-owner or person in charge.
- Hunt on state trust lands (STLs) without permission of lessee, except those open for wildlife recreation.
- Have a loaded (in the chamber) rifle or shotgun in or on any motor vehicle.
- Shoot from or use a motor vehicle, motorcycle, off-highway vehicle, snowmobile or aircraft to hunt, intercept, chase, harass or drive wildlife.
- Hunt under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances.
- Use any artificial light as an aid in hunting wildlife.
- Fail to reasonably dress, care for and prepare edible wildlife meat for human consumption. Internal organs are not considered edible portions.
- Party hunt: harvest someone else’s game or let someone harvest yours.
- Use recorded or electronically amplified calls.
- Use bait to hunt turkeys. Baiting is placing or scattering salt, mineral, grain or other feed to attract wildlife.
- Erect permanent blinds or tree stands on state wildlife areas (SWAs). Only portable blinds or tree stands may be erected on SWAs. These must be removed at the end of the day they are used. No nails may be driven into trees. The hunter's Customer Identification number (CID) and dates of use must be visible on the outside of blinds or underside of stands. Placement of blinds or stands does not reserve them for personal use; they may be used by the public on a first-come, first- served basis.
- Use the Internet or other computer-assisted remote technology while hunting or fishing. This includes unmanned or remote-control drones used to look for wildlife. Hunters must be physically in the immediate vicinity while hunting or fishing.
- Use live-action game cameras to locate, surveil, or aid or assist in locating or surveiling game wildlife in order to take/try to take game wildlife during the same or following day. "Live-action game camera" is any device capable of recording and transmitting photographic/ video data wirelessly to a remote device (such as a computer or smart phone). This doesn't include game cameras that record photographic/ video data and store such data for later use, as long as the device cannot transmit data wirelessly.
RESTRICTIONS
CHILD SUPPORT DELINQUENCY
State law requires a Social Security number to buy a license. It is not displayed on the license but is provided, if requested, to Child Support Enforcement authorities. Hunting and fishing licenses are not issued to those suspended for noncompliance with child support. Any current licenses become invalid if held by an individual who is noncompliant with child support.
WEAPONS RESTRICTIONS
Colorado and federal laws prohibit people convicted of certain crimes, such as domestic violence, from possessing weapons even for hunting. If you’ve been convicted of a crime, check with the appropriate law enforce- ment authority to find out how the laws apply to you.
BAG LIMITS, TAGGING & METHODS OF TAKE
BAG AND POSSESSION LIMITS
1. Bag and possession limit for each season:
▶ 2 BEARDED turkeys in the spring. One must be taken with a limited license, the other must be taken with an over-the-counter license.
▶ 1 EITHER-SEX turkey in the fall.
▶ 2 BEARDLESS turkeys in the late season.
TAGGING
1. After harvesting a turkey, hunters must immediately detach, sign and date the carcass tag (bottom section of license) and attach it to the ani- mal. Tags must stay attached while the carcass is transported, in camp, in storage or in your possession.
2. If the carcass tag is accidentally detached from the license, lost or destroyed, you must get a duplicate before hunting and prove the loss, detachment or destruction was accidental. Duplicates can be obtained by furnishing proof of accidental detachment, loss or destruction to a CPW area office (listed on inside front cover).
METHODS OF TAKE
1. SHOTGUNS, including muzzleloading shotguns: maximum 10-gauge allowed and cannot be capable of holding more than three shells in the magazine and chamber combined. Shotguns capable of holding more than three shells must be plugged. Shot must be size #2 (lead or steel) or smaller. Single slugs are illegal.
2. HAND-HELD BOWS
3. CROSSBOWS
4. RIFLES AND HANDGUNS:
a. SPRING SEASON: Rifles and handguns are illegal.
b. FALL AND LATE SEASONS ONLY: Rifles and handguns can be muzzleloading, centerfire or rim fire, and bullets must be a minimum 17 grains with manufacturer’s energy rating of at least 110 foot-pounds at 100 yards from muzzle.
NOTE: Turkeys can be taken over standing crops or feed scattered solely for agricultural purposes.
NOTE: Artificial decoys and manual calls are permitted. Recorded or elec- tronically amplified calls are illegal.
