HUNTING

August is here. Area hunters are getting ready with just four weeks until the kickoff of hunting season. Bow hunters are getting ready for the opener of archery season for deer and elk that starts Aug. 30. Small game hunters are gearing up for the opener of small game season, which starts Sept. 1. Everyone is checking their gear, tuning their bows, vehicles and ATVs. Their hunting dogs and horses as well are being tuned up and prepared for the upcoming seasons. Everyone can feel the excitement in the air and can’t wait to get out and enjoy one of the longest traditions for generations, with friends and family that hunters long for all year long.

*****

SMALL GAME SEASONS

Blue (Dusky) Grouse: Sept. 1-Nov. 16; Daily bag limit: 3; Possession limit: 9.
Chucker: Sept. 1-Nov. 23; Daily bag limit: 4; Possession limit: 12.
Doves (Mourning, White-Winged and Eurasian Collared): Sept. 1–Oct. 30; Daily bag limit: 15 single or in aggregate for mourning and white-winged, unlimited for Eurasian Collared; Possession limit: 4 (unit restricted; check regulations for specifics).
Sora and Virginia Rail: Sept. 1-Nov. 9; Daily bag limit: 25 singly or in aggregate; Possession limit: Same as daily bag.
Wilson’s Snipe: Sept. 1–Dec. 16; Daily bag limit: 8; Possession limit: 16.
Greater Sage Grouse: Sept. 13-19; Daily bag limit: 2; Possession limit: 4 (unit specific; check regulations for details).
Band-Tailed Pigeons: Sept.1-30; Daily bag limit: 5; Possession limit: 10 (permit required).
Pheasant and Quail: Nov. 8–Jan. 4 (check regulations for details).
Coyotes: Year-round statewide; Bag and Possession limits: unlimited.
Check regulations for other furbearer and small game species dates and limits.

CHANGES FOR 2008-09

Starting April 2009, the license year will change for annual small game licenses, fishing licenses, senior fishing licenses, combination small game and fishing licenses, furbearer licenses, habitat stamps, Colorado waterfowl stamps and walk-in access permits will be valid from April 1, 2009, through March 31, 2010. If you bought one of these licenses this year in 2008, it is valid through March 31, 2009. If you buy one of these licenses after Jan. 1, 2009, it will be valid from date of purchase through March 31, 2010.
To take furbearers, you must have either a furbearer or small game license.

*****

BIG GAME

Limited license leftover sales will be sold at license agents and DOW offices Tuesday, Aug. 12, at 9 a.m. for all leftover licenses available after the draw for pronghorn, deer, bear and elk for archery, muzzleloading, rifle and private land only.
These licenses are limited in number and are available on a first come first serve basis. License agents and DOW offices should have a list of available tags in each unit or go to the DOW Web site.

*****

FISHING

Not much has changed by body of water since last week’s report. Fishing for the most part is good to great in all bodies of water with river fishing getting even better. Lake Powell continues to be fantastic for all species with the majority of striper boils on the north end of the lake at Hite. Two-hundred fish days are not uncommon.