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The South Platte River is home to many different species of waterfowl and other birds. At sunrise, the river bottom comes to life with their morning chatter.

Take a video tour of the South Platte habitat.

South Platte Medley from Colorado Parks & Wildlife on Vimeo.

For more information about waterfowl, check out the Online Interactive Waterfowl Brochure.

Youth Waterfowl Hunting Opportunities

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New License and HIP Year April 1

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Annual licenses for the 2013 season went on sale mid-March. These license are valid April 1, 2013 through March 31, 2014 and include small game hunting, fishing, combination fishing and small game hunting, and the Colorado waterfowl stamp.  These licenses are available from any license agent, CPW office, online, or by phone at 1-800-244-5613.

Please be aware, the Harvest Information Program (HIP) year also ends on March 31 annually. 

Federal Regulations for Migratory Bird Hunters

License Requirements

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Licenses are valid 4/1/12 - 3/31/13 for small game, combination fishing and hunting, Colorado waterfowl stamp and habitat stamps. They are available for purchase at any license agent, CPW office, online or by phone at 1-800-244-5613. 

Hunters must have a small game license, youth small game or combination license to hunt waterfowl.

Hunters 16 or older also need a State and Federal Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp, or duck stamp, to hunt waterfowl. Federal stamps are available at post offices and CPW offices. The State stamps are available at all CPW offices, from license agents, online, and by phone at 1-800-244-5613. The stamp is valid when you sign your name in ink across the face of it. An electronic stamp issued at license agents also provides a receipt as proof of purchase. This proof of purchase contains a unique code given instantly and is valid for 45 days from the date of issue, sufficient time for the peel and stick federal stamp to arrive in the mail. A federal stamp is not required to take light geese during the conservation order season.

Anyone aged 18 through 64 must buy a habitat stamp in order to buy or apply for a hunting or fishing license. The state stamp is printed on your license. The stamp is valid when you sign your name in ink across the face of it. For more information, see the habitat stamp page.

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The http://www.flyways.us/ website is packed with news, updates, harvest management information, and scientific data from the FWS and Canadian Wildlife Service. The website also provides links to Flyway websites and has other features like those listed below.

• initial assessments of waterfowl breeding habitat conditions in new video segments
• aerial photos chronicling surveys
• interactive maps to find bird banding and recovery sites 
• email tool for submitting questions about duck, goose, and swan hunting management to field experts

Central & Pacific Flyway Councils
Responsible for Migratory Bird Management

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There are four administrative flyways in North America. Colorado is a member of both the Central and Pacific Flyways. 

Each Flyway Council is comprised of a representative of agencies responsible for migratory bird management in each member state, province or territory. Since the Flyway Council is the principal mechanism for dialog between the states and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) on migratory bird issues (including annual migratory game bird hunting regulations), each Council selects two of its members to carry and discuss its recommendations in a consultation process with the FWS. This process includes representatives from all flyways and frequently leads to the Service making proposals for the general public to comment on.

For more information, see the links to the Central and Pacific Flyway Council Web sites and more at http://www.flyways.us/.

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The USFWS, Division of Migratory Management, has posted important information to help reduce the likelihood of shooting illegally at migratory birds that may look like sandhill cranes but for which there is no open season and are protected by Federal law. Some of these protected migratory bird species are common, while others are rare. One of these protected migratory bird species is very rare, the whooping crane, and has been listed as endangered. Please read through these tips/comparisons before venturing in the field.

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If a person recovers a banded bird, it is asked that the individual report the information online at http://www.reportband.gov/. This web-based system, created by the U.S. Geological Survey, helps provide important wildlife research data.

Federal Baiting Regulations
For Migratory Game Birds

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Waterfowl and other migratory birds are a national resource protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Federal and State regulations help ensure that these birds continue to thrive while providing hunting opportunities.

Federal baiting regulations define key terms for hunters and land managers, and clarify conditions under which you may legally hunt waterfowl. As a waterfowl hunter or land manager, it is your responsibility to know and obey all Federal and State laws that govern the sport. State regulations can be more restrictive than Federal regulations. Waterfowl baiting regulations apply to ducks, geese, swans, coots, and cranes.

Federal regulations are more restrictive for waterfowl hunting than for hunting doves and other migratory game birds. You should carefully review the Federal regulations. See the U.S. Fish and Wildlife’s Waterfowl Hunting and Baiting web page for more information.