Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Big Game Harvest Survey?
Each year Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) contracts with an outside firm to collect hunt and harvest information from deer, elk and pronghorn hunters. Hunters are asked various questions that relate to where and when they hunted, did they harvest, what they harvested, were they satisfied with their hunt and did they feel crowded by other people during their hunt. Each year Colorado has over 350,000 deer, elk and pronghorn hunters. Approximately 190,000 hunters are randomly selected to participate in the annual harvest survey, which is designed to estimate harvest and participation for all seasons and manners of take at the herd level. . This information is then used with information collected by CPW biologists to estimate deer, elk, and pronghorn population numbers.
When will the big game harvest results be available?
The harvest estimates will be posted on the CPW website (cpw.state.co.us) in mid to late March. Big game harvest estimates can be found under ‘Things To Do, ‘Hunt’, ‘Big Game’ and ‘Hunting Statistics’. Previous big game harvest estimates are also available on the CPW website.
Who can take the survey?
Each year CPW randomly selects deer, elk and pronghorn license holders to participate in the survey. The selection is based on hunt code. How many hunters are selected is based on the number of licenses sold for each particular hunt code. The fewer the number licenses sold for a hunt the higher the proportion of licenses holders will be selected. So if a hunter has a license for a hunt with very few licenses, the likelihood they will be selected to take the survey is higher. But if a hunter has a license for over-the-counter or statewide elk, the likelihood they will be selected to take the survey is much smaller.
How can I take the survey?
If you have been contacted by either phone or email you can take the survey by going to https://survey.colobgharvest.com or by calling the toll-free number 1-855-9BGHARV (1-855-924-4278). You may also be contacted again in the coming days. For best results and fastest service taking the survey, please have the following available: 1) your CID number, 2) information about the Game Management Unit or units where you hunted, and 3) the duration including dates you hunted in each Game Management Unit.
I hunted this year, can I take the survey?
Not all hunters are eligible to take the survey. Only those hunters who have been randomly selected and notified by Colorado Parks and Wildlife or its vendor, Standage Market Research, are eligible.
I received a call/email from the CPW or I’m returning the message you left. Why did you call? OR Why are you calling/emailing my husband / wife / son / daughter?
There are several reasons you may be contacted by CPW. If you have a deer, elk or pronghorn license this year, you may be contacted from mid-October to mid-February to complete the Big Game Harvest Survey. You can take the survey by going to https://survey.colobgharvest.com or by calling the toll-free number 1-855-9BGHARV (1-855-924-4278). If you do not complete the survey, you may also be contacted again in the following days. For best results and fastest service taking the survey, please have the following available: 1) your CID number, 2) information about the Game Management Unit or units where you hunted, and 3) the duration including dates you hunted in each Game Management Unit.
Note: Big Game Harvest Survey emails are sent from surveys@colobgharvest.com; calls originate from Standage Market Research and the Caller ID for the survey will say "Standage Research."
Can I take the survey for my husband/wife/friend? Can I take the survey for my child?
No, if the hunter is not a minor (under 18). The survey asks about each hunter’s experience and it is very important that each hunter eligible for the survey responds to the survey themselves.
If your child is a minor (under 18) and was contacted to take the survey, you may take the survey for them.
Do I need my CID to take the survey?
No, you may call the toll-free number 1-855-9BGHARV (1-855-924-4278) and an operator can assist you with your survey using your last name, year of birth or mailing address to take the survey.
I want to take the survey but I don’t want to talk to a machine.
Your survey responses are a very important part of managing big game throughout Colorado. Live operators are available to assist you daily from 5pm to 9pm Mountain Time at the toll-free number 1-855-9BGHARV (1-855-924-4278). If you have to leave a message we will get back to you within 24 hours. Also if you are more comfortable taking the survey online you may do so at https://survey.colobgharvest.com.
Can I change an answer on my survey?
You may send an email to support@colobgharvest.com or you may call toll-free at 1-855-924-4278 (1-855-9BGHARV). Please include your name and CID, what hunt the survey was for, and the information you wish to change in your message.
Note: support@colobgharvest.com is only used for changing survey information; for all other wildlife related questions or comments please call 303-297-1192 or email CPW at AskCPW@state.co.us.
The person you called/emailed is not at this number/email address. Can CPW change its information so you stop calling/emailing me?
You may send an email to support@colobgharvest.com or you may call toll-free at 1-855-924-4278 (1-855-9BGHARV). Please include the name and contact information for the person we tried to contact, and if available the changed contact information, in your message.
I am on the No Call List, why am I still being called for your survey?
The Big Game Harvest Survey is exempt from the both the State of Colorado and Federal No Call Lists. Your survey responses are a very important part of managing big game throughout Colorado. The information gathered from this survey is used to estimate the deer, elk and pronghorn populations in Colorado which is then used with information collected by CPW biologists to set the next year’s hunting seasons and number of available licenses.
If you have further question on why you are being contacted, you may send an email to support@colobgharvest.com, or you may call the toll-free number 1-855-9BGHARV (1-855-924-4278) Please also include your CID and when you where contacted in your message.
What are you going to use my email for?
Your email will only be used for communication from CPW.
How can I leave a comment/complaint regarding the survey?
You may send an email to support@colobgharvest.com to give us your comments/concerns. Or you may call the toll-free number 1-855-9BGHARV (1-855-924-4278)
