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Youth hunting in Colorado
Colorado youth can hunt big game (elk, deer, pronghorn, bear) from age 12 through 17, at a fraction of the adult license price, but they must be accompanied by a hunter-education-certified adult mentor. Turkey, small game, and waterfowl have no minimum age. A youth elk, deer or pronghorn license runs $20.30 resident / $130.07 non-resident. CPW · Youth hunting
Who qualifies as "youth"
- Big game (elk, deer, pronghorn, bear) — must be age 12 to 17. A hunter can apply at 11 if they'll turn 12 before the season ends, but can't actually hunt until they reach 12.
- Turkey, small game, and waterfowl — no minimum age, provided the other license and mentor requirements are met.
Youth license pricing, 2026
| License | Resident | Non-resident |
|---|---|---|
| Elk / deer / pronghorn (age 12–17) | $20.30 | $130.07 |
| Qualifying (annual small game, age 17 & under) | $2.53 | $2.53 |
Youth still need a qualifying license to apply and hunt, the same as an adult — it's just priced far lower. Habitat-stamp rules apply by age; the full picture, including adult pricing for comparison, is on the license-costs page. CPW · Deer hunting (youth + qualifying)
The mentor requirement
Does the youth need hunter education?
Yes — CPW requires the youth applicant to have already completed an approved hunter education course before applying; an apprentice or temporary certificate is not accepted for this. The hunter-education page covers course options and the online-plus-field-day path most youth use. CPW · Mentored hunts for novice youth
Extended youth seasons
Youth with an unfilled deer, elk, or pronghorn license from the regular season get extra opportunities: CPW runs extended youth seasons that let a 12–17-year-old keep hunting with the same mentor-and-education requirements after the standard season closes. Confirm the exact extended-season dates and eligible units for your license in the current CPW brochure, since they're set unit by unit. CPW · Youth hunting
Where youth fit in the draw
Youth apply through the same primary draw as adults, using the youth license price, and can bank preference points the same way. If you're weighing an over-the-counter youth hunt against a limited draw unit, the OTC tags page covers what's still available without applying.
Common questions
What age can you start hunting big game in Colorado?
Age 12. A youth can apply for a big-game license at 11 if they'll turn 12 before the season ends, but can't hunt until they actually reach 12. Turkey, small game, and waterfowl have no minimum age.
Does a Colorado youth hunter need an adult with them?
Yes. A hunter-education-certified mentor who is 18 or older must accompany the youth, and the two must be able to see and hear each other in the field without aids like binoculars or radios.
How much is a youth elk or deer license in Colorado?
$20.30 for a Colorado resident and $130.07 for a non-resident, versus $70.40 / $845.16 for an adult elk license. Youth still need the qualifying (small-game) license, priced at $2.53 for ages 17 and under.
Does a Colorado youth hunter need hunter education first?
Yes — CPW requires the youth to have already completed and hold an approved hunter education card before applying; an apprentice certificate does not satisfy the requirement.
Primary sources
- CPW — Youth Hunting (age ranges, pricing, extended seasons) verified Jul. 2026
- CPW — Mentored Hunts for Novice Youth (mentor rules, hunter-ed requirement) verified Jul. 2026
- CPW — Deer hunting (youth + qualifying license fees) verified Jul. 2026