Colorado is an elk hunter’s paradise. It is a high, rugged, mountainous state, the only state in the U.S. that lies entirely above 3,200 feet elevation. The eastern part of Colorado consists of high plains, which are a mix of prairie, forests, buttes, and canyons, much of it covered in farms and ranches. The western half of Colorado is covered by the southern Rocky Mountains. Colorado contains some of the most mountainous country in the U.S., including some 53 peaks that are 14,000 feet or higher in elevation above sea level, known as fourteeners. These mountains are largely covered in conifer forests and aspen stands, providing a haven for elk and other wildlife. Colorado has more elk than any other state, and is one of the few places where hunters can buy elk licenses over the counter for certain units and seasons, without applying in advance, which makes it a popular destination for do-it-yourself hunts and last-minute bookings for outfitted hunts. Over-the-counter licenses are often also available for archery pronghorn hunts and in certain units for white-tailed deer. Most other hunting licenses are issued through a drawing. Besides elk, huntable game in Colorado includes white-tailed deer and mule deer, moose, pronghorn antelope, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, mountain lions, and black bears. The world-record typical mule deer, which scored 226 4/8, was shot in Colorado in 1972. Upland birds and waterfowl are also popular draws for hunters. To buy a hunting license in Colorado, you’ll be required to show your hunter’s safety card. Colorado hunters are also required to wear 500 square inches of blaze orange. Specific regulations and more information about Colorado hunting is available through Colorado Parks & Wildlife: http://cpw.state.co.us/thingstodo/Pages/BigGame.aspx. Find information about licensed outfitters at the Colorado Outfitters Association: http://coloradooutfitters.org.