Read the 2010 Turkey Hunting Regulations Brochure (4MB PDF) for more information. New material in this year’s brochure includes increased opportunities for youth hunting in Horsethief Canyon, changes to the Habitat Stamp Program and more. These changes are listed in further detail below. If you'd like a hard copy with paper applications, you can pick one up at a local Division of Wildlife office or license agent. If you're out of state, see the brochure order form for non-residents.

Here's what's new in 2010!

• Horsethief Canyon SWA is now open to limited youth permit-based hunting. Contact the Grand Junction office for application.
  
  
• Habitat Stamp Program: Legislative changes to the Habitat Stamp Program take effect July 1, 2010. Hunters who are applying for or buying a 2010 fall turkey license need to follow new habitat stamp regulations. Hunters age 18 to 64 need to purchase a habitat stamp prior to applying for or buying a license. Those who do not meet this requirement will be removed from the draw and will not receive a license.
  
  
• Fall turkey season extension east of 1-25 (except GMU 140) until late October.
   
• GMU 21 is now open for limited spring hunting.
  
  
• GMUs 93, 98, 99 and 100 now offer over-the-counter with caps spring turkey hunting.
  
  
• GMU 101: This unit offers two new private-land-only hunts for spring season.
  
  
• GMU 103 has been added to GMU 107 and 109 for youth fall and spring turkey hunting.
  
  
• GMUs 105 and 121 now offer over-the-counter licenses for spring and fall.
  
  
• GMU 481 is now open for fall over-the-counter licenses.
  

Experience Rio Grande Turkey’s on the South Platte River 
"a.m. Colorado" High-Definition Video Series

One of the current episodes features the intricate springtime gobble of the Rio Grande turkey. More "a.m. Colorado" videos and other DOW online videos can be accessed directly from the Videos page.

Through the years, turkey calls settled into two basic groups; friction calls including box calls, slates, and plungers, and mouth calls including diaphragm calls and trumpet yelpers.

Experienced hunters may carry several types of calls, but most prefer the diaphragm call for its accuracy of tone and its versatility, and because it leaves both hands free. Some hunters claim that becoming proficient with a diaphragm call is like having a second set of vocal cords just for talking turkey.

Read more of Talking Turkey by Dennis McKinney, or read another Outdoor's Journal turkey article: Merriam's of the Mountains or Turkey Trekking.

• Nationally, nearly one hundred turkey hunters are injured each year (The National Wild Turkey Federation estimates that there are around 3 million turkey hunters in the U.S.).
• Turkey hunting is the second leading category for hunting accidents. Turkey hunting accidents in Colorado are rare, in no small part because of our hunter education standards and the wealth of safety information available. 
• The overwhelming majority of turkey hunting incidents involve hunters shooting other hunters.

For your safety and the safety of others...

• Take extra care when shooting from a blind: Your visibility is limited, and others will have trouble seeing you.
• Be careful when using full-strut tom decoys—many are made with real turkey feathers and can easily be mistaken by others as a live turkey.
• Be sure to set decoys where you will be able to see it and any approaching hunters: announce your presence.

For more, check out Jim's other safety tips. And have a safe and successful hunt! Hunting accidents in Colorado are rare—but they can be serious.