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The Colorado Division of Wildlife could issue more elk hunting licenses in 2004 than ever before.

In May, the Colorado Wildlife Commission approved more than 147,000 antlerless and either-sex licenses for the 2004 season. The Wildlife Commission approved 146,000 licenses in 2003.

The state's abundance of elk prompted the Wildlife Commission to issue the record number of licenses, according to the DOW.

Hunters who participated in the DOW's annual draw found out in June whether they won one of the limited, draw-only licenses.

Although many of the limited licenses have already been issued to draw winners, thousands of licenses are still available through the leftover license sales. If the quota for a particular Game Management Unit (GMU) and hunt code was not allocated during the draw, those licenses will be issued during the leftover sale.

The leftover licenses became available Aug. 10 at DOW offices, sporting goods stores and other license outlets.

In past years, the leftover licenses were only available at DOW offices, which made for long lines on the day of the sale.

DOW spokesman Tyler Baskfield said new policy will make it more convenient for hunters to purchase leftover licenses.

The leftover licenses present good hunting opportunities, Baskfield said. Hunters who didn't secure a first-choice license during the annual drawing may still want to stock some game meat.

"Maybe you didn't draw the spot you wanted but still want to put some meat in the freezer," Baskfield said. "There's some great cow and doe hunting opportunities, especially in the northwest corner of the state where there is a large number of animals."

A host of GMUs that surround Craig have unfilled license quotas.

During the first rifle season, Oct. 9 to Oct. 13, 1,526 cow licenses are available in units 3, 4, 5, 301, and 441. More than 700 cow licenses are left over for the second season, Oct. 16 to Oct. 24, in units 3 and 301.

Thirty-two bull licenses are available for the fourth season, Nov. 6 to Nov. 10, in units 4 and 441, which straddle Routt and Moffat counties.

The DOW recommends hunters bring a list of hunt codes they are interested in, their Social Security numbers and proof of Colorado residency and hunter education.

A list of available licenses is available on the DOW's Web site: wildlife.state.co.us/leftoverlicenses. n