Hunting Mountain Lion

Hunting mountain lion in Colorado is challenge for any sportsperson up for the task. We’re here to help make sure you do your research, plan carefully, and stay safe while enjoying the outdoors.
A mountain lion in a snowy field.

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Note: Colorado Parks and Wildlife takes no position for or against ballot initiatives such as Proposition 127 and will diligently implement all laws duly passed by the legislature and the Governor or by the voters.

A mountain lion in a tree.

A mountain lion in a tree.

Hunting

Mountain Lion Licenses

Mountain lion licenses are over-the-counter licenses only and go on sale in March each year. Mountain lion season starts in the fall and continues into spring of the new year. See the brochure for specific sdates.

Get Ready for Mountain Lion Season

Important Hunting Dates, Deadlines and Reminders

November 25

12:01am MST

Mountain Lion Season Opens

Note: Always check your physical license and the Colorado Big Game Brochure for specific hunting dates and legal hunting hours.

​​​​​​​​​​​​​Requirements for Hunting Mountain Lion in Colorado

Required: Mountain Lion Education Certificate​​

Hunters are required to complete the exam to purchase a mountain lion hunting license and hunt mountain lions in Colorado. 

Test.

Who else should get this certificate?

​Guides, outfitters, and houndsmen wanting to provide guided lion hunts are encouraged to take the course and exam.​​

Mountain Lion.

Mountain Lion Exam

Take the mountain lion exam online or find an in-person testing location near you.

Take the Exam

Hunt Mountain Lion

Hunters who want to hunt a mountain lion can purchase a license when lion licenses go on sale in March 25, 2024. Hunters can only harvest one lion per license year.

Opportunities for Everyone

A young woman and her mentor on an archery hunt.

Youth Hunters

Youth hunters have youth-only hunting opportunities including small game, extended seasons for deer, elk, and pronghorn, and hunter outreach opportunities for big game (including moose), small game, waterfowl, and turkey hunting experiences.

A hunter on alert.

Nonresident Hunters

Nonresident hunters have a percentage of deer, elk, bighorn sheep, and mountain goat licenses set aside for them. They can also participate in group hunts and are eligible for a combo hunting and fishing license.

A hunter with binoculars and a hunter holding a rifle.

Resident Hunters

Residents have the option to participate in both big game draws, and apply for or purchase hybrid draw licenses, leftover licenses, reissued licenses, over-the-counter licenses, fishing and hunting combo licenses, raffle licenses, group hunts, and ranching for wildlife hunts.

A hunter holding binoculars stands next to an ATV.

Hunters Experiencing Disabilities

Resident hunters experiencing disabilities can request accommodations for visual and physical disabilities to assist with their hunts.

A hunter and his mentor pose next to a harvested elk.

New Hunters

New hunters can apply to go on mentored big game, small game, waterfowl, pheasant, and turkey hunts with the hunter outreach program, participate in a year long hunting experience with the rookie sportsperson program, and continue to broaden their skills past their initial hunter education course with regularly offered hunting classes to practice and hone techniques. Specific classes are also offered for women to learn in a comfortable environment.

A group of pheasant hunters and their dogs.

Hunters in the Military

Colorado residents who are deployed active duty military can apply to purchase leftover hunting licenses or receive a preference point in advance, or apply for a refund if deployed after their purchase. Veterans experiencing disabilities can apply for a lifetime combo fishing hunting license, and apply for accommodation while hunting. Veterans may also apply for big game licenses through the Wounded Warrior program.

Season Dates & Deadlines

Lion

(over-the-counter)

November 25, 2024

March 31, 2025

See brochure

Hunting License Fees

Annual Habitat Stamp

Residents and Nonresidents

$12.15

Mountain Lion

Residents

$60.05

Mountain Lion

Nonresidents

$501.75

  • All prices include a 25-cent search-and-rescue fee, a $1.50 for the Wildlife Council ​surcharge​.
     

Have you completed your hunter education course?

Colorado law requires that individuals born on or after January 1, 1949, must complete an approved hunter education course before applying for or purchasing a Colorado hunting license.

Already taken a hunter education course? Learn more about how to provide proof of completion.

Card

Take a Hunter Education Class

Hunter education classes are available in-person in a classroom setting or online with an in-person completion exam.

Find a Hunter Education Class
Archery.

Grow Your Archery Skills

Hunters that chose archery as their method of take can grow their skills prior to hunting season by taking a bowhunter education class.

Find a Bowhunter Education Class

Brochures

mountain lion brochure cover.

Colorado Mountain Lion Hunting Brochure

Be sure to read the “What’s New” pages to see a full list of changes on tap for the upcoming hunting seasons.

Download the Brochure