Hunting turkey in Colorado is growing in popularity with sportspeople and is a good sporting opportunity for hunters to hone their skills and gain confidence before they go hunt big game. We’re here to help make sure you do your research, plan carefully, and stay safe while enjoying the outdoors.
Video: Livin' the Wildlife: Turkeys
An Introduction to Turkeys
The wild turkey is beloved among hunters and wildlife enthusiasts alike. The wild turkey's springtime mating displays are one of the most exciting and stunning events in nature. Yet, these iconic birds only exist today because of dedicated conservation programs. This video provides an overview of the wild turkey's mating behavior and Colorado Parks and Wildlife's long-standing efforts to conserve this amazing species. The video features both Rio Grande turkeys, which were introduced to Colorado in the 1980s, and the native Merriam's turkeys.
Are you interested in hunting turkey this fall? You have a couple of options.
The fall turkey season opens September 1, 2024.
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Add to Calendar
September 01, 2024
October 25, 2024
Late Season Turkey
December 15, 2024
January 15, 2024
Hunt dates vary by license type and hunt location and some licenses are valid only on certain dates. See the hunt tables in the turkey brochure for deteai
Annual Habitat Stamp
Resident and Nonresident
Application Fee
Resident Application Processing Fee (limited licenses, nonrefundable)
Application Fee
Nonresident Application Processing Fee (limited licenses, nonrefundable)
Spring Turkey
Fall Turkey
Spring or Fall Turkey
Youth Turkey Spring or Fall (under age 18)
Youth Turkey Spring or Fall (under age 18)
Note: Per federal law, hunters age 12 and older must have a Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number.
Limited licenses are limited in number by regulation and are issued through a draw process. Hunters must apply and be successful in the draw (unless purchased as a leftover or reissued license after the draw) in order to get one of these licenses, which are valid on public or private land within the unit(s) listed, unless otherwise specified below. Hunters must always get landowner permission before hunting on private land.
Public Ranching for Wildlife (RFW) licenses are available only to Colorado residents by draw. Licenses are valid for the dates and ranch on the license. RFW licenses are listed with hunt codes below. Landowners must provide free access to hunters who draw a license for the ranch. By applying for a RFW license, hunters allow CPW to provide applicant information to the ranch. Hunting rules are different for each ranch; read ranch rules on the CPW website before applying. Visit the Ranching for Wildlife page for more information.
Over-the-counter (OTC) licenses are usually unlimited in number and available over the counter. These licenses are not available through the draw process. View the Colorado Turkey Brochure for dates and a map with huntable game management units (GMUs).
Up to five hunters will have the opportunity to hunt turkey on Fishers Peak, near Trinidad, in Spring 2024. Access is by permit only, issued by drawing. Information about how to apply for these opportunities will be posted online by February 1, 2024.
Limited licenses are limited in number by regulation and are issued through a draw process. Hunters must apply and be successful in the draw (unless purchased as a leftover or reissued license after the draw) in order to get one of these licenses, which are valid on public or private land within the unit(s) listed, unless otherwise specified below. Hunters must always get landowner permission before hunting on private land.
Public Ranching for Wildlife (RFW) licenses are available only to Colorado residents by draw. Licenses are valid for the dates and ranch on the license. RFW licenses are listed with hunt codes below. Landowners must provide free access to hunters who draw a license for the ranch. By applying for a RFW license, hunters allow CPW to provide applicant information to the ranch. Hunting rules are different for each ranch; read ranch rules on the CPW website before applying. Visit the Ranching for Wildlife page for more information.
Over-the-counter (OTC) licenses are usually unlimited in number and available over the counter. These licenses are not available through the draw process. View the Colorado Turkey Brochure for dates and a map with huntable game management units (GMUs).
Hunters may purchase up to two beardless turkey licenses during the late season. These are available over-the-counter for hunting on Private Land Only within the game management unit where the license holder has permission to hunt. Get landowner permission before buying a license.
Youth under age 18 can buy or apply for a reduced-cost turkey license. All hunters, including those younger than 18, must meet hunter education requirements. Those under 16 must also be accompanied by a mentor while hunting. There is no minimum age to hunt turkey, as long as these requirements are met. A mentor must be 18 or older and must meet hunter education requirements. Mentors aren’t required to hunt. While hunting, youth and mentors must be able to see and hear each other without binoculars, radios or other aids.
Youth younger than 18 can buy an adult license as long as they meet hunter education requirements. At age 18, youth must buy an adult license. Youth are considered to be the age they are on the date they submit their draw application. For example, if a 17-year-old submits an application and then turns 18 prior to the start of the turkey season for which they applied, they are still considered a youth and qualify for the youth license.
Outreach licenses for youth are offered to qualified organizations sponsoring educational youth hunting activities. A maximum of 200 licenses are offered for private land and are limited to youth under 18 years of age.
Outreach licenses for novice adults are now offered to qualified organizations sponsoring novice adult hunting activities. A maximum of 200 licenses are offered on a first come, first served basis to organizations and are limited to novice adult hunters. A novice adult hunter is a Colorado resident age 18 or older, who has either no turkey license purchase history, only held a turkey license(s) in the NEW current or previous year. or has no turkey license purchase history in the previous five years.
To learn more, please visit our Outreach and Education page.
Colorado law requires that individuals born on or after January 1, 1949, must complete an approved hunter education course before applying for or purchasing a Colorado hunting license.
Already taken a hunter education course? Learn more about how to provide proof of completion.
Hunter education classes are available in-person in a classroom setting or online with an in-person completion exam.
Hunters that chose archery as their method of take can grow their skills prior to hunting season by taking a bowhunter education class.
