Hunting regulations for the 2003-2004 season have some new twists. The general four-season structure will remain the same as last year, the first being a limited season for elk only and the other three being combined seasons for both elk and deer.

In an effort to offer more opportunity for hunters to take elk from the state’s growing herd, the Colorado Wildlife Commission made several changes to this year’s regulations. The regulation restricting hunters to pursue deer and elk during the same combined season is no longer in effect. The second season has been expanded from seven to nine days to offer more hunting opportunity over the span of two weekends.

As always, bull elk licenses will be available over the counter for a large percentage of the Game Management Units (GMUs). New for this year, there will be some either-sex and antlerless rifle elk licenses available over the counter. All deer licenses must be applied for through the drawing.

There is one oversight of which elk hunters in GMUs 25 and 26 need to be aware. There will be over-the-counter, antlerless elk licenses available for the fourth season in those units. The brochure states under the elk “New For 2003” section (page 31) that there will be a total of 2,000 antlerless elk licenses available for the second and third seasons in units 25 and 26. These licenses will also be available for the fourth season even though the fourth season is not listed in the brochure.

Hunters will be able to possess more than one license for deer, elk, pronghorn antelope and bear. Hunters should consult the charts in the brochure (pages 4-6) for an explanation on how to hold more than one license for a particular species legally.

The application deadline is April 1. Each brochure contains two applications for elk and deer and one application for moose, bear and pronghorn antelope. The brochure can also be found on the Internet at the CDOW Web site at http://www.wildlife.state.co.us.

Hunters with questions can call the DOW customer service center at 303-297-1192.