Hunting And Outdoor Sports
Colorado to Launch First-Ever Youth-Only Pronghorn Hunt
State wildlife officials create special opportunity to engage next generation of hunters
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✍️By ZRIntel Editorial Team📍Denver, CO
On August 17, 2025, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) announced a groundbreaking initiative aimed at fostering the next generation of outdoorsmen: the states first-ever youth-only pronghorn hunt. Beginning this fall, junior hunters between the ages of 12 and 17 will have exclusive access to select pronghorn hunting units in eastern Colorado, with limited licenses available through a special draw system. Pronghorn, often referred to as Americas fastest land mammal, have thrived in the high plains of Colorado thanks to successful conservation and habitat restoration projects. With populations stable and in some areas exceeding management goals, CPW biologists determined there was room to introduce a youth-focused opportunity without jeopardizing herd health. Officials emphasized that the program was designed not only to help balance pronghorn numbers but also to instill a lifelong appreciation of hunting and conservation in young participants. The new hunt will run for one week in late October, prior to the start of the general pronghorn season. Licensed youth hunters will be permitted to harvest either-sex pronghorn, with adult mentors required to accompany them in the field. CPW has partnered with several local ranchers to provide access to private lands where pronghorn herds are concentrated, ensuring participants have a fair chance at success. Landowners expressed support for the initiative, noting that pronghorn can cause crop damage during peak grazing periods. Wildlife managers say the program aligns with Colorados broader recruitment, retention, and reactivation (R3) strategy, which seeks to reverse declining participation rates in hunting and fishing nationwide. Introducing kids to hunting in a structured, supportive environment is critical if we want to sustain our wildlife management model for the future, said CPW Director Jeff Davis. These young hunters are tomorrows conservationists, and programs like this ensure that our traditions continue. The response from the hunting community has been overwhelmingly positive. Youth hunting advocates say the initiative offers an invaluable chance to teach ethical hunting practices, firearm safety, and respect for wildlife. Local chapters of organizations such as the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and Safari Club International have pledged to donate gear and mentorship resources to participating families. Several volunteer instructors have already stepped forward to host pre-hunt clinics covering topics from marksmanship to field dressing. Economically, the youth hunt may also bring benefits to rural communities. Families traveling to eastern Colorado for the event are expected to contribute to local businesses, from sporting goods stores to diners and motels. CPW estimates that even a small youth season could generate tens of thousands of dollars in direct spending while fostering goodwill with landowners who participate in access programs. Of course, not everyone supports the change. Some conservationists worry that granting either-sex licenses to youth hunters could reduce female pronghorn numbers more quickly than anticipated, potentially affecting herd dynamics. CPW counters that harvest quotas are tightly controlled and that the small number of licensesfewer than 200 statewidewill have a negligible effect on overall population stability. Officials stress that they will monitor harvest data closely and adjust regulations if any negative impacts are detected.