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Wild turkey
Wild turkey hunting in Colorado: 2026-27 seasons, limits and where to hunt
Next opener Nov 21; limits, harvest, licenses and places to hunt wild turkeys (Merriam's and Rio Grande).
Photo: mark byzewski (CC BY 2.0)
The 2026-27 picture for wild turkeys (Merriam's and Rio Grande)
Colorado turkey hunting is split into 19 license and date rows across 180 GMUs, 69 hunt codes. The calendar covers April 11, 2026 to January 15, 2027; next opener Nov 21. Limit printed on most turkey rows: spring: 2 bearded (one limited + one OTC). Fall: 1 either sex. Spring 2025 estimates: 7,331 turkeys (6,746 on OTC and 585 on limited licenses) by about 21,385 hunters.
- Limit summary (turkey): Spring 2 bearded (one limited + one OTC); fall 1 either sex; late 2 beardless.
- Season outline (turkey): Spring April 11-May 31 (2026); fall September 1-October 4 (west) / October 23 (east); late December 15, 2026-January 15, 2027 (GMUs 112, 113 private land).
- Also noted (turkey): Spring 2025 harvest about 7,331.
From 2026 Colorado Turkey brochure, PDF p. 8 and CPW website, checked November 5, 2026.
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Wild turkey dates, licenses and units
Sorted by opening day. Split seasons show both segments in the dates cell.
| Window | License | Area | Dates | Take | Codes | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (2026), RFW | Ranching for Wildlife | GMUs 136, 143, 144, 147 | Apr 11–Apr 20, 2026 | Spring: 2 bearded (one limited + one OTC). Fall: 1 either sex | T-M-136-W1-R | Closed |
| Spring (2026), limited | Limited draw | GMUs 59, 91, 92, 96, 101, 102, 103, 107, 109 | Apr 11–May 1, 2026 | Spring: 2 bearded (one limited + one OTC). Fall: 1 either sex | 6 | Closed |
| Spring (2026), limited | Limited draw | GMUs 2, 15, 21, 23, 25, 34, 35, 43, 44, 47 +11 | Apr 11–May 31, 2026 | Spring: 2 bearded (one limited + one OTC). Fall: 1 either sex | 19 | Closed |
| Spring (2026), private land only | Private land only | GMU 96 | Apr 11–May 1, 2026 | Spring: 2 bearded (one limited + one OTC). Fall: 1 either sex | T-M-096-P1-R | Closed |
| Spring (2026), private land only | Private land only | GMU 444 | Apr 11–May 31, 2026 | Spring: 2 bearded (one limited + one OTC). Fall: 1 either sex | T-M-444-P1-R | Closed |
| Spring (2026), limited, youth only | Limited draw, youth | GMUs 59, 91, 103, 107, 109, 124, 125, 129 | Apr 11–May 31, 2026 | Spring: 2 bearded (one limited + one OTC). Fall: 1 either sex | 4 | Closed |
| Spring, OTC (2026) | OTC | GMUs 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 +152 | Apr 11–May 31, 2026 | Spring: 2 bearded turkeys per season, one on a limited and one on an OTC license | T-M-000-U1-R | Closed |
| Spring (2026), private land only | Private land only | GMU 23 | Apr 13–May 30, 2026 | Spring: 2 bearded (one limited + one OTC). Fall: 1 either sex | T-M-023-P1-R | Closed |
| Spring (2026), RFW | Ranching for Wildlife | GMU 84 | Apr 22–May 31, 2026 | Spring: 2 bearded (one limited + one OTC). Fall: 1 either sex | T-M-084-W1-R | Closed |
| Spring (2026), limited | Limited draw | GMUs 59, 91, 92, 96, 101, 102, 103, 107, 109 | May 2–May 31, 2026 | Spring: 2 bearded (one limited + one OTC). Fall: 1 either sex | 6 | Closed |
| Spring (2026), private land only | Private land only | GMU 96 | May 2–May 31, 2026 | Spring: 2 bearded (one limited + one OTC). Fall: 1 either sex | T-M-096-P2-R | Closed |
| Fall, limited, late season | Limited draw | GMUs 15, 25, 27, 34, 37, 47, 59, 85, 140, 361 +2 | Sep 1–Oct 4, 2026 | Spring: 2 bearded (one limited + one OTC). Fall: 1 either sex | 12 | Closed |
| Fall, limited, late season | Limited draw | GMUs 91, 92, 96, 101, 102, 103, 107, 109, 124, 125 +6 | Sep 1–Oct 23, 2026 | Spring: 2 bearded (one limited + one OTC). Fall: 1 either sex | 9 | Closed |
| Fall, limited, youth only | Limited draw, youth | GMUs 91, 92, 96, 101, 102, 103, 107, 109, 124, 125 +1 | Sep 1–Oct 23, 2026 | Spring: 2 bearded (one limited + one OTC). Fall: 1 either sex | 3 | Closed |
| Fall, OTC (east of I-25 except GMU 140) | OTC | GMUs 87, 88, 94, 101, 102, 104, 105, 110, 112, 113 +24 | Sep 1–Oct 23, 2026 | Fall: 1 turkey of either sex | T-E-000-U2-R | Closed |
| Fall, OTC (west of I-25 and GMU 140) | OTC | GMUs 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 +95 | Sep 1–Oct 4, 2026 | Fall: 1 turkey of either sex | T-E-000-U2-R | Closed |
| Fall, RFW | Ranching for Wildlife | GMUs 136, 143, 144, 147 | Sep 12–Sep 21, 2026 | Spring: 2 bearded (one limited + one OTC). Fall: 1 either sex | T-E-136-W1-R | Closed |
| Youth extended fall season | Youth | Units on the youth's original fall license | Nov 21–Nov 29, 2026 | Fall bag (1 either sex) | – | |
| Late season beardless, OTC (private land only) | OTC | GMUs 112, 113 | Dec 15–Jan 15, 2027 | Late season: 2 beardless turkeys | T-F-000-U2-R |
- Spring (2026), RFW (turkey, GMUs 136, 143, 144, 147): Hunt codes: T-M-136-W1-R; Licenses: T-M-136-W1-R=5.
- Spring (2026), limited (turkey, GMUs 59, 91, 92, 96, 101, 102, 103, 107, 109): Hunt codes: T-M-059-O1-R, T-M-091-O1-R, T-M-092-O1-R, T-M-096-O1-R, T-M-101-O1-R, T-M-103-O1-R; Licenses: T-M-059-O1-R=5, T-M-091-O1-R=25, T-M-092-O1-R=25, T-M-096-O1-R=50, T-M-101-O1-R=25, T-M-103-O1-R=35.
- Spring (2026), limited (turkey, GMUs 2, 15, 21, 23, 25, 34, 35, 43, 44, 47, 80, 81, 124, 125): Hunt codes: T-M-002-O1-R, T-M-015-O1-R, T-M-021-O1-R, T-M-023-O1-R, T-M-025-O1-R, T-M-034-O1-R, T-M-035-O1-R, T-M-043-O1-R, T-M-044-O1-R, T-M-047-O1-R, T-M-080-O1-R, T-M-081-O1-R, T-M-124-O1-R, T-M-127-O1-R, T-M-139-O1-R, T-M-140-O1-R, T-M-140-O2-R, T-M-444-O1-R, T-M-851-O1-R; Licenses: T-M-002-O1-R=10, T-M-015-O1-R=15, T-M-021-O1-R=25, T-M-023-O1-R=25, T-M-025-O1-R=40, T-M-034-O1-R=40, T-M-035-O1-R=30, T-M-043-O1-R=60, T-M-044-O1-R=80, T-M-047-O1-R=15, T-M-080-O1-R=10, T-M-081-O1-R=20, T-M-124-O1-R=25, T-M-127-O1-R=30, T-M-139-O1-R=10, T-M-140-O1-R=30, T-M-140-O2-R=20, T-M-444-O1-R=55, T-M-851-O1-R=20.
- Spring (2026), private land only (turkey, GMUs 96): Hunt codes: T-M-096-P1-R; Licenses: T-M-096-P1-R=75.
- Spring (2026), private land only (turkey, GMUs 444): Hunt codes: T-M-444-P1-R; Licenses: T-M-444-P1-R=30.
- Spring (2026), limited, youth only (turkey, GMUs 59, 91, 103, 107, 109, 124, 125, 129): Hunt codes: T-M-059-K1-R, T-M-091-K1-R, T-M-103-K1-R, T-M-124-K1-R; Licenses: T-M-059-K1-R=10, T-M-091-K1-R=125, T-M-103-K1-R=35, T-M-124-K1-R=15.
- Spring, OTC (2026) (turkey, GMUs (OTC list)): on sale March 1 (9 am MT); bearded turkeys only; 59 except Beaver Creek SWA/Table Mountain STL; 140 except James M; John and Lake Dorothey SWAs; 851 except Bosque del Oso SWA; Private land only in 91, 92, 101, 102, 103, 107, 109, 124, 125, 127, 129, 132, 139; Closed to all spring hunting: 26, 45, 201, 371, 471; Spring 2027 dates were not yet published when read (2026 brochure).
- Spring (2026), private land only (turkey, GMUs 23): Hunt codes: T-M-023-P1-R; Licenses: T-M-023-P1-R=35.
- Spring (2026), RFW (turkey, GMUs 84): Hunt codes: T-M-084-W1-R; Licenses: T-M-084-W1-R=10.
- Spring (2026), limited (turkey, GMUs 59, 91, 92, 96, 101, 102, 103, 107, 109): Hunt codes: T-M-059-O2-R, T-M-091-O2-R, T-M-092-O2-R, T-M-096-O2-R, T-M-101-O2-R, T-M-103-O2-R; Licenses: T-M-059-O2-R=10, T-M-091-O2-R=25, T-M-092-O2-R=25, T-M-096-O2-R=50, T-M-101-O2-R=25, T-M-103-O2-R=35.
- Spring (2026), private land only (turkey, GMUs 96): Hunt codes: T-M-096-P2-R; Licenses: T-M-096-P2-R=50.
- Fall, limited, late season (turkey, GMUs 15, 25, 27, 34, 37, 47, 59, 85, 140, 361, 444, 851): Hunt codes: T-E-015-L1-R, T-E-025-L1-R, T-E-034-L1-R, T-E-047-L1-R, T-E-059-L1-R, T-E-085-L1-R, T-E-085-L2-R, T-E-085-L3-R, T-E-140-L1-R, T-E-140-L2-R, T-E-444-L1-R, T-E-851-L1-R; Licenses: T-E-015-L1-R=15, T-E-025-L1-R=15, T-E-034-L1-R=25, T-E-047-L1-R=25, T-E-059-L1-R=15, T-E-085-L1-R=10, T-E-085-L2-R=10, T-E-085-L3-R=10, T-E-140-L1-R=10, T-E-140-L2-R=10, T-E-444-L1-R=30, T-E-851-L1-R=10.
- Fall, limited, late season (turkey, GMUs 91, 92, 96, 101, 102, 103, 107, 109, 124, 125, 126, 127): Hunt codes: T-E-091-L1-R, T-E-092-L1-R, T-E-096-L1-R, T-E-101-L1-R, T-E-103-L1-R, T-E-124-L1-R, T-E-126-L1-R, T-E-127-L1-R, T-E-139-L1-R; Licenses: T-E-091-L1-R=25, T-E-092-L1-R=25, T-E-096-L1-R=60, T-E-101-L1-R=30, T-E-103-L1-R=10, T-E-124-L1-R=15, T-E-126-L1-R=20, T-E-127-L1-R=20, T-E-139-L1-R=5.
- Fall, limited, youth only (turkey, GMUs 91, 92, 96, 101, 102, 103, 107, 109, 124, 125, 129): Hunt codes: T-E-091-K1-R, T-E-103-K1-R, T-E-124-K1-R; Licenses: T-E-091-K1-R=35, T-E-103-K1-R=10, T-E-124-K1-R=15.
- Fall, OTC (east of I-25 except GMU 140) (turkey, GMUs (OTC list, east)): private land only in 101 and 102.
- Fall, OTC (west of I-25 and GMU 140) (turkey, GMUs (OTC list, west)): (sales agents); on sale June 18 (9 am MT); either sex; Closed to all fall hunting: 2, 21, 26, 30, 35, 36, 44, 45, 80, 81, 89, 90, 93, 95, 97, 98, 99, 100, 106, 111, 115, 120, 201, 371, 471.
- Fall, RFW (turkey, GMUs 136, 143, 144, 147): Hunt codes: T-E-136-W1-R; Licenses: T-E-136-W1-R=2.
- Youth extended fall season (turkey, Units on the youth's original fall license): Youth under 18 with an unfilled limited or OTC fall license; mentor required and may not hunt.
- Late season beardless, OTC (private land only) (turkey, GMUs 112, 113): (sales agents only); private land only with landowner permission; up to two licenses.
Fall 2026 and the late beardless season are current; spring 2027 dates were not yet printed by CPW.
From 2026 Colorado Turkey brochure, PDF p. 8, 2026 Colorado Turkey brochure, PDF p. 10 and 2026 Colorado Turkey brochure, PDF p. 11, checked November 5, 2026.
The ground each turkey row covers
- Spring OTC units (turkey): 149 units: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22, 24, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 38, 39, 40, 41 +119
- Private-land spring OTC (turkey): 91, 92, 101, 102, 103, 107, 109, 124, 125, 127, 129, 132, 139
- Closed in spring (turkey): 26, 45, 201, 371, 471
- OTC in fall (turkey): 137 units: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22, 23, 24, 28, 29, 31, 32, 33, 38, 39, 40, 41 +107
- Fall: closed (turkey): 2, 21, 26, 30, 35, 36, 44, 45, 80, 81, 89, 90, 93, 95, 97, 98, 99, 100, 106, 111, 115, 120, 201, 371, 471
Turkey: county list
Adams, Alamosa, Arapahoe, Archuleta, Baca, Bent, Boulder, Broomfield, Chaffee, Cheyenne, Clear Creek, Conejos, Costilla, Crowley, Custer, Delta, Denver, Dolores, Douglas, Eagle, El Paso, Elbert, Fremont, Garfield, Gilpin, Grand, Gunnison, Hinsdale, Huerfano, Jackson, Jefferson, Kiowa, Kit Carson, La Plata, Lake, Larimer, Las Animas, Lincoln, Logan, Mesa, Mineral, Moffat, Montezuma, Montrose, Morgan, Otero, Ouray, Park, Phillips, Pitkin, Prowers, Pueblo, Rio Blanco, Rio Grande, Routt, Saguache, San Juan, San Miguel, Sedgwick, Summit, Teller, Washington, Weld, Yuma
From 2026 Colorado Turkey brochure, PDF p. 8, checked November 5, 2026.
Applying for wild turkeys (Merriam's and Rio Grande)
Draw timing matters for wild turkeys (Merriam's and Rio Grande), since 15 rows are limited.
- Turkey sale dates (turkey): Spring turkey applications due February 3 (8 pm MT); fall turkey May 29; spring OTC on sale March 1; fall/late OTC June 18.
- Spring draw (turkey): Applications March 1-April 7, 2026 (8 pm MT) online or 1-800-244-5613; results May 26-29; surrender deadline June 1; payment deadline June 12; licenses mailed by June 26; Deer, elk, pronghorn, moose, bear (sheep and goat also April 7).
- Qualifying rule (turkey): A current-year qualifying license is required to apply in either big game draw: annual small game (resident/nonresident), resident small game/fishing combo, senior combo, spring turkey (both draws), fall turkey (secondary draw only), veteran or first responder lifetime combo, senior small game for lifetime fishing holders; Not needed for OTC or leftover licenses.
From 2026 Colorado Big Game brochure, PDF p. 14, 2026 Colorado Big Game brochure, PDF p. 19, 2026 Colorado Big Game brochure, PDF p. 16 and 2026 Colorado Turkey brochure, PDF p. 8, checked November 5, 2026.
Wild turkey: CPW harvest reports
Spring 2025 estimates: 7,331 turkeys (6,746 on OTC and 585 on limited licenses) by about 21,385 hunters. No CPW records book exists; harvest surveys stand in for wild turkeys (Merriam's and Rio Grande).
| Season | Hunters | OTC harvest | Limited harvest | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring 2025 | 21,385 | 6,746 | 585 | 7,331 |
| Spring 2024 | 19,259 | 5,335 | 568 | 5,903 |
Limited spring results
| Hunt code | GMU | Hunters | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| T-M-096-P1-R | 96 | 69 | 51 |
| T-M-096-P2-R | 96 | 62 | 41 |
| T-M-091-K1-R | 91 | 118 | 34 |
| T-M-044-O1-R | 44 | 68 | 33 |
| T-M-043-O1-R | 43 | 53 | 31 |
| T-M-096-O1-R | 96 | 49 | 25 |
| T-M-444-O1-R | 444 | 42 | 22 |
| T-M-023-P1-R | 23 | 29 | 21 |
From 2025 spring turkey report, 2024 spring turkey report and CPW website, checked November 5, 2026.
Wild turkey: daily, possession and license limits
- Spring: 2 bearded (one limited + one OTC). Fall: 1 either sex (turkey, 14 rows)
- Fall: 1 turkey of either sex (turkey, 2 rows)
- Spring: 2 bearded turkeys per season, one on a limited and one on an OTC license (turkey, 1 row)
- Fall bag (1 either sex) (turkey, 1 row)
- Late season: 2 beardless turkeys (turkey, 1 row)
- Bag rule (turkey): Spring 2 bearded (one limited, one OTC); fall 1 either sex; late season 2 beardless.
From 2026 Colorado Turkey brochure, PDF p. 7 and 2026 Colorado Turkey brochure, PDF p. 8, checked November 5, 2026.
Licenses and fees for wild turkeys (Merriam's and Rio Grande)
For wild turkeys (Merriam's and Rio Grande), CPW lists these fees; each license includes the $1.25 rescue and $1.50 education charges. Turkey hunters aged 18-64 also pay the $12.76 Habitat Stamp once a year.
| License | Residency | Cost | Valid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring turkey | Resident | $38.49 (youth $20.62) | Spring season |
| Fall turkey | Resident | $32.11 (youth $20.62) | Fall season |
| Spring or fall turkey | Nonresident | $194.21 (youth $130.39) | Season on license |
| Habitat Stamp (annual) | Anyone | $12.76 | 13 months |
From 2026 Colorado Big Game brochure, PDF p. 15, checked November 5, 2026.
Methods of take for wild turkeys (Merriam's and Rio Grande)
- Turkey (turkey), legal: Shotguns 10 ga max (3 shells), shot #2 or smaller; hand-held bows; crossbows; hawking; fall/late only: rifles and handguns (17 gr+, 110 foot-pounds at 100 yd) and .25 cal+ pre-charged air guns.
- Turkey (turkey), not legal: Single slugs; rifles/handguns in spring; recorded/electronic calls; bait.
- Spring (2026), RFW (turkey method text): Shotguns 10 ga max, 3 shells max, shot #2 or smaller (no slugs); hand-held bows; crossbows; hawking; Rifles, handguns and air guns illegal in spring; Decoys and manual calls legal; no electronic calls; no bait.
- Fall, limited, late season (turkey method text): Shotguns 10 ga max, 3 shells, shot #2 or smaller; hand-held bows; crossbows; rifles and handguns (muzzleloading, centerfire or rimfire; 17 gr+, 110 foot-pounds at 100 yd); pre-charged air guns .25 cal+; hawking.
From 2026 Colorado Turkey brochure, PDF p. 7 and 2026 Colorado Turkey brochure, PDF p. 8, checked November 5, 2026.
Wild turkey: the rules beyond dates
- Orange or pink (turkey): Not required for small game, migratory birds, turkey or lion (encouraged).
- Hours (turkey): One-half hour before sunrise to sunset.
- Baiting (turkey): No hunting big game, turkey, small game or migratory birds over bait; furbearer bait allowed; bear luring prohibited (CRS 33-6-131).
- Electronic calls (turkey): Prohibited for big game, lion, turkey, small game and waterfowl; allowed for furbearers, crows and light geese in the conservation order.
- Dogs (turkey): No dogs for big game except a leashed tracking dog (annual permit) to recover wounded deer/elk and others (not bear); dogs allowed for lion (max 8), small game, waterfowl and furbearers.
- Evidence of sex and carcass tags (turkey): Evidence of sex naturally attached; carcass tag signed, dated and attached immediately.
- Trespass (turkey): Permission required on private land whether or not posted; State Land Board lands only where leased/signed by CPW.
- Vehicles and roads (turkey): No shooting from a vehicle or within 50 ft of a public road centerline; firearms unloaded in the chamber in vehicles; firearms (except handguns) unloaded and cased on OHVs during deer, elk, pronghorn and bear seasons.
- Any day (turkey): No statewide Sunday restriction appears in the 2026 brochures, CPW regulation chapters read or CRS Title 33; seasons run every day; Some State Wildlife Areas limit hunting to certain days (Chapter W-5/W-9 property rules, for example waterfowl only on Saturdays, Sundays and Wednesdays on some SWAs).
- State Wildlife Areas (turkey): Everyone 16+ needs a hunting or fishing license (or State Wildlife Area Pass) on state wildlife areas and state trust lands.
- Course rule (turkey): Anyone born on or after January 1, 1949 needs a hunter education card to buy or apply for a hunting license; carry it (or have it verified "V" on the license); Other states' cards honored.
From 2026 Colorado Big Game brochure, PDF p. 25, 2026 Colorado Big Game brochure, PDF p. 24, 2026 Colorado Big Game brochure, PDF p. 26, 2026 Colorado Big Game brochure, PDF p. 23 and 2026 Colorado Big Game brochure, PDF p. 16, checked November 5, 2026.
Wild turkey on SWAs, forests and BLM
114 public places in this guide list wild turkeys (Merriam's and Rio Grande) among their hunting species: 51 State Trust Land, 44 SWA, 8 Ranger district, 4 National forest. Some places limit days, methods or require reservations; the land page says which.
| Area | Type | County | Size (ac) | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Juan | National forest | Archuleta +8 | 1,866,191 | Southwest |
| Gunnison | National forest | Delta +4 | 1,666,609 | Southwest |
| Gunnison | Ranger district | Gunnison +2 | 1,284,166 | Southwest |
| Colorado Ranching for Wildlife | Access program | – | 1,049,840 | – |
| Colorado State Trust Lands Hunting and Fishing Access Program | Access program | Adams +41 | 973,000 | – |
| Uncompahgre | National forest | Delta +7 | 952,961 | Southwest |
| Burro Springs | State Trust Land | Saguache | 28,905 | Southwest |
| Lake Pueblo | SWA | Pueblo | 11,864 | Southeast |
| Black Hawk | State Trust Land | Huerfano | 1,511 | Southeast |
| Romeo | State Trust Land | Conejos | 640 | Southwest |
| Williams Hill | SWA | Pitkin | 487 | Northwest |
| Crooked Top | State Trust Land | Park | 400 | Northeast |
From CPW website, CPW website and 2026 Colorado Big Game brochure, PDF p. 16, checked November 5, 2026.
Legal shooting light for wild turkeys (Merriam's and Rio Grande)
The sun rises later on the Western Slope than on the plains; turkey times below are NOAA-formula estimates for each place.
| On | Season point | Denver | Grand Junction area | Alamosa area |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 5, 2026 | Reference day | 6:02 a.m. to 4:55 p.m. | 6:15 a.m. to 5:10 p.m. | 6:02 a.m. to 5:02 p.m. |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Youth extended fall season opens | 6:20 a.m. to 4:41 p.m. | 6:33 a.m. to 4:57 p.m. | 6:19 a.m. to 4:50 p.m. |
| Dec 15, 2026 | Late season beardless, OTC ( opens | 6:43 a.m. to 4:36 p.m. | 6:55 a.m. to 4:52 p.m. | 6:40 a.m. to 4:46 p.m. |
From 2026 Colorado Big Game brochure, PDF p. 23 and 2026 Small Game & Waterfowl brochure, PDF p. 8, checked November 5, 2026.
Wild turkey tom in full display crossing pavement. Photo: Paul VanDerWerf (CC BY 2.0)
Wild turkey gobbler strutting with tail fanned. Photo: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Midwest Region (Public domain)
Wild turkeys feeding in a grassy field. Photo: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Midwest Region (Public domain)
Common questions on wild turkeys (Merriam's and Rio Grande)
What does CPW allow per day or per license for wild turkeys (Merriam's and Rio Grande)?
Per CPW, wild turkeys (Merriam’s and Rio Grande) are limited as follows: Spring: 2 bearded (one limited + one OTC). Fall: 1 either sex. License rule for wild turkeys (Merriam’s and Rio Grande): Spring 2 bearded (one limited, one OTC); fall 1 either sex; late season 2 beardless.
When can I hunt wild turkeys (Merriam's and Rio Grande) in Colorado?
The earliest turkey row is Spring (2026), RFW: April 11 to April 20, 2026, and the last row closes January 15, 2027. The next opener after November 5, 2026 is November 21, 2026 (youth extended fall season).
Do I have to draw a license for wild turkeys (Merriam's and Rio Grande)?
OTC rows for wild turkeys (Merriam’s and Rio Grande): 4. Limited rows: 15, applied for in the primary draw (Applications March 1-April 7, 2026 (8 pm MT) online or 1-800-244-5613).
Which license and stamps go with turkey hunting?
What wild turkeys (Merriam’s and Rio Grande) need, with prices: Spring turkey (resident) $38.49 (youth $20.62); Fall turkey (resident) $32.11 (youth $20.62); Spring or fall turkey (nonresident) $194.21 (youth $130.39); Habitat Stamp (annual) (anyone) $12.76.
Must I wear orange or pink when hunting wild turkeys (Merriam's and Rio Grande)?
The orange or pink rule is a big game rule, so wild turkeys (Merriam’s and Rio Grande) are exempt: not required for small game, migratory birds, turkey or lion (encouraged).
What equipment rules apply to wild turkeys (Merriam's and Rio Grande)?
Turkey for wild turkeys (Merriam’s and Rio Grande): Shotguns 10 ga max (3 shells), shot #2 or smaller; hand-held bows; crossbows; hawking; fall/late only: rifles and handguns (17 gr+, 110 foot-pounds at 100 yd) and .25 cal+ pre-charged air guns; not legal for wild turkeys (Merriam’s and Rio Grande): single slugs; rifles/handguns in spring; recorded/electronic calls; bait.
Which state and federal lands name wild turkeys (Merriam's and Rio Grande) as a hunting species?
Start with San Juan National Forest, Gunnison National Forest and Gunnison Ranger District (Gunnison National Forest, Uncompahgre National Forest): 114 public areas in all list wild turkeys (Merriam’s and Rio Grande).
When can I start and stop shooting wild turkeys (Merriam's and Rio Grande)?
One-half hour before sunrise to sunset (turkey). By the NOAA solar formula, Denver hours on November 5, 2026 ran 6:02 am to 4:55 pm.
Is baiting legal for wild turkeys (Merriam's and Rio Grande) in Colorado?
Bait rule that applies to wild turkeys (Merriam’s and Rio Grande): no bait; turkeys may be taken over standing crops or feed scattered solely for agriculture; call rule for wild turkeys (Merriam’s and Rio Grande): prohibited for big game, lion, turkey, small game and waterfowl; allowed for furbearers, crows and light geese in the conservation order.
Are there harvest numbers for wild turkeys (Merriam's and Rio Grande)?
Spring 2025 estimates: 7,331 turkeys (6,746 on OTC and 585 on limited licenses) by about 21,385 hunters. No CPW trophy records exist for wild turkeys (Merriam’s and Rio Grande).
Other photos on this page: Paul VanDerWerf (CC BY 2.0); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Midwest Region (Public domain); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Midwest Region (Public domain).