Colorado Moose

Possibly the greatest wildlife success story of the last half-century that no one talks about is the Colorado moose. From being nearly nonexistent in the 70s and 80s to an estimated 3,500 animals in 2024, the moose population has really ballooned in the last 25 years mainly due to sound management, prime habitat, and a low number of larger carnivores leading to high calf recruitment. Compared to its neighbors to the north that are dealing with wolves and grizzly bear predation on all ages and classes of moose, Colorado has a very high percentage of bulls and cows alike reaching their prime year, hence adding to the moose population. The downside of this is more hunters are looking at and applying in Colorado for that coveted once-in-a-lifetime tag, leading to steeper draw odds in the state.

With moose numbers continuing to increase, more non-resident hunting opportunities are becoming available every year. There is definitely a lot to be excited about when it comes to moose in Colorado, but with the recent debacle of ballot box biology, CPW is bringing more wolves into the state. Fifteen additional wolves were released in January to go along with the ones that were already there from last year’s release, and more are on the way in the near future. Time will tell what impact these apex predators have on the moose population in Colorado, but if it’s anything like other areas in the West, we believe it’s safe to say that we have likely seen the pinnacle of moose populations in the Centennial State. Maybe the most unfortunate part of all this besides moose numbers being decimated is all the time and money that has been spent to get moose numbers to where they are now will be for nothing if wolf populations are not managed properly. However, for now, Colorado is still a great place to try and draw a Shiras moose tag if that is on your hunting to-do list.

Colorado currently has 13 data analysis units statewide with huntable moose populations. Every single one of them is capable of producing 40”+ bulls, with some that will push the 50” mark each season. Most of these units are higher elevation mountainous basins with big riparian wallow and aspen stands in the bottom of the canyons (aka ideal moose habitat). Pay attention to the unit comments to figure out which units have the type of terrain that will suit your hunting style and has access to enough public land if you plan to hunt self-guided. Breaking down and hauling a moose out for miles from above 10,000’ can be an overwhelming task for hunters who are not prepared for it.

Colorado has a reissue policy for limited licenses that were turned in after the draw. A license that is returned that took 5 or more preference points to draw will be manually reissued to the next eligible person. For each license returned, CPW will contact the next five people from the current year’s draw order and attempt to reissue it. If a non-resident returns a permit, it will be reallocated to a non-resident. Any licenses that took fewer than 5 preference points to draw that are returned will be placed into the leftover list. Colorado will issue any surrendered deer after the initial leftover license purchased deadline on August 5th on a reissue/leftover license webpage. They will release a list of available licenses each Tuesday and transfer them into the leftover list for purchase Wednesday at 11 a.m. (MT).

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