Who needs hunter education
Colorado law says that anyone born on or after January 1, 1949, must complete an approved hunter education course before they apply for or buy a Colorado hunting license. If you were born before that date, the course is not required, but it is still a good way to learn.
You need your certification and card number before you apply for the big game draws or buy a license. Once you are hunting, you must carry proof of hunter education in the field, so keep your card or a printed copy with your license.
Cards from other states
All US states recognize valid hunter education certificates issued by other state wildlife agencies. If you passed a course in another state, you can use that card in Colorado.
Ways to earn your card
Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) offers two main routes. Both cover the same skills: safe firearm handling, ethics, wildlife, survival and the law.
| Route | What it involves |
|---|---|
| Classroom course | At least 10 hours in person, often split over two or more days. Lectures, hands-on practice, videos, a written test and a live-fire exercise. |
| Online course plus conclusion class | A self-paced online course of at least 4 hours, then an in-person conclusion class of about 4 to 6 hours. |
| Test-out (limited) | For hunters 50 and older and qualifying military only. One online exam, taken once, in a single 30-minute session. |
In the classroom course, every student must pass both the written test and the live-fire exercise. CPW supplies the rifles and ammunition for the live fire, and you may not use your own firearm. Depending on the instructor, a parent or guardian may need to attend with a minor.
If you choose the online route, register for the conclusion class before you finish the online course, and finish the online part before you attend. The online course alone does not give you a card.
The Apprentice Hunter Certificate
The Apprentice Hunter Certificate lets you try hunting before you take the course. It is a free, one-year waiver of the hunter education requirement, valid from March 1 to March 31 of the following year. You can get it online, at a CPW office or from a license agent, but only two times in your life.
- Apprentices must be at least 10. Ages 10 and 11 may hunt small game; ages 12 and older may hunt big and small game.
- Every apprentice needs a mentor in the field, no matter how old or experienced the apprentice is.
- The apprentice must be able to see and hear the mentor at all times.
- A Colorado certificate is valid only in Colorado. It does not replace hunter education in other states.
Mentor rules
A mentor must be at least 18, must be hunter education certified or born before January 1, 1949, and must carry proof of age and certification. One mentor may accompany up to two apprentices.
Youth hunters
Young hunters must complete hunter education or already hold a card to hunt, unless they use an apprentice certificate. The age rules depend on the species.
| Hunt | Colorado youth rule |
|---|---|
| Big game | Youth must be 12 to 17. An 11-year-old may buy or apply if they turn 12 before the season ends, but may not hunt until they are 12. |
| Small game (youth license) | Must be accompanied by a mentor 18 or older who meets hunter education requirements. The mentor does not have to hunt. |
| Turkey | No minimum age if the requirements are met. Youth under 16 need a mentor. |
| Youth waterfowl seasons | Youth 17 and younger need a mentor, and the mentor may not hunt. |
When a youth hunts with a mentor, the two must be able to see and hear each other without binoculars, radios or other aids. A mentor who is close by can coach safe muzzle control, check that the target and what lies beyond it are safe, and step in at once if something goes wrong.
Discounted youth big game licenses are available to hunters aged 12 to 17 who meet the hunter education requirement, and a share of some limited licenses is set aside for them in the draw.
Safety habits Colorado instructors stress
Colorado hunting often means long walks in steep, high country, with wide-open views and cold nights. Plan for weather that changes quickly, tell someone where you are going, and carry a map, layers, water and a way to make fire and signal for help.
Treat every firearm as loaded, keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction, keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot, and be sure of your target and what is beyond it. On open slopes a missed shot can travel a very long way, so only shoot when a hill or bank will stop the bullet.
Only take a shot when something solid behind the animal will stop the bullet.
- Safe: a high earth bank behind the deer stops the shot.
- Unsafe: the deer is on a ridge against the sky, and the shot could carry on to a house the hunter cannot see.
Bright clothing helps other hunters see you, especially in the timber during busy big game seasons.
Bright orange on the head and upper body stands out against trees and brush.
- Blaze-orange hat.
- Blaze-orange vest, visible from all sides.
- A hunter in camouflage only, who blends into the trees.
Key terms
The 16 words and rules to know for this test. Read the list or study them as flashcards: flip each card, then mark it "Know it" or "Still learning".
- 1949 birth date rule
- Anyone born on or after this date must complete approved hunter education before applying for or buying a Colorado hunting license.
- Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW)
- The agency that runs hunter education in Colorado and issues licenses through its offices and license agents.
- Proof in the field
- Once hunting, you must carry your hunter education card or a printed copy with your license.
- Out-of-state cards
- All US states recognize valid hunter education certificates from other state wildlife agencies, so you can use them in Colorado.
- Temporary card
- A hunter education card that expires on December 31 of the year it was issued. Permanent cards do not expire.
- Classroom course
- At least 10 hours in person, with a written test and a live-fire exercise. You must pass both.
- Live-fire exercise
- Part of the classroom course. CPW supplies the rifles and ammunition, and you may not use your own firearm.
- Conclusion class
- An in-person class of about 4 to 6 hours after the online course. The online part alone does not give you a card.
- Test-out
- One online exam for hunters 50 and older and qualifying military. You need 90% or better and cannot retake it.
- Apprentice Hunter Certificate
- A free one-year waiver of hunter education, valid March 1 to March 31 of the next year. You can get it only twice in your life.
- Apprentice ages
- Apprentices must be at least 10. Ages 10 and 11 may hunt small game, and 12 and older big and small game.
- Mentor
- An adult at least 18 who is certified or born before January 1, 1949. One mentor may accompany up to two apprentices.
- See and hear rule
- An apprentice or youth must be able to see and hear the mentor at all times, without binoculars, radios or other aids.
- Youth big game age
- Youth must be 12 to 17. An 11-year-old may apply if turning 12 before the season ends, but may not hunt until 12.
- Youth waterfowl seasons
- Youth 17 and younger need a mentor, and the mentor may not hunt.
- Safe backstop
- On open slopes a missed shot can travel far, so only shoot when a hill or bank will stop the bullet.