Colorado Illegal Possession of Wildlife Lawyer

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Hunting is a sport, but it’s also an ancient human activity for providing nourishment. Hunters are expected to eat the animals they take or share the bounty with friends and loved ones. Killing animals and leaving the carcass behind violates a basic tenet of hunting.

Wasting wildlife, killing a protected species, hunting out of season, or possessing animals or animal parts that have been taken illegally are all serious offenses that violate Colorado state and federal laws.

If you are facing charges that involve the unlawful killing, possession, or waste of wildlife, you may be facing serious legal consequences that could involve heavy fines and even jail time. You’ll want to find an experienced wildlife attorney who understands these complicated laws. Contact the Colorado Wildlife Law Lawyer to schedule a FREE consultation today by calling (720) 836-1777.

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Laws Against Wasting Wildlife

When a hunter only harvests certain body parts such as the hide, claws, teeth, antlers, horns, or feathers and leaves the carcass behind, it’s a clear sign to wildlife authorities that poaching has occurred. CPW officers have redoubled their efforts to stop poaching in recent years, and they are now offering bounties of up to $1,000.00 for tips from private citizens that lead to a conviction for unlawful taking.

CPW issues over 3,000 citations for poaching annually. And if you are caught killing big game or a trophy animal, the charge is a class 5 felony. This may lead to serious jail time and/or fines of up to $100,000.00.

When a hunter takes an animal, they are required to reasonably attempt to dress or care for and provide for human consumption the edible portions of game wildlife. But this doesn’t necessarily include internal organs which many people do not eat. The law in Colorado states “provide for human consumption”, but it does not say you have to eat it. Although, you cannot just throw it out or just feed it to your dogs. You can donate the meat to family or friends, but you must follow the proper donation rules and regulations and have a donation certificate. Additionally, once the meat has been processed, you may also look into donating the game meat to your local food bank. Please make sure you contact them to confirm they will accept the game meat, prior to just showing up with meat to donate. Determination of what is considered waste by wildlife officials is not an exact science and it is very subjective, so make sure you understand the requirements for the animal you are hunting, prior to going into the field. If a hunter wastes edible portions of game wildlife that hunter may be facing serious charges, so make sure you understand the law regarding field dressing an animal, and how to prepare the meat to provide it for human consumption. Also, make sure you understand the donation requirements, should you choose to donate parts or all of your game meat.

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Illegal Taking and Possession

Hunting out of season, exceeding the bag limit, or killing a protected species carries serious penalties. For example, Samson’s Law penalizes hunters for killing trophy animals with extremely large horns. Under this law, you may be fined up to $25,000 for taking a single bighorn sheep with horns over a certain size.

A zealous agent can charge you with more than one infraction if they catch you violating more than one law, rule, or regulation. For example, if you are caught being over the bag limit, an officer might also charge you with not wearing the required 500 square inches of daylight fluorescent orange or pink gear, or they may charge you for having a loaded weapon in your car. In these cases, the fines and penalties can add up quicky.

If you transport an unlawfully killed animal across state lines, you may be pursued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services and charged with a violation of the Lacey Act. The Lacey Act was enacted to protect both plants and wildlife and has numerous civil and criminal penalties depending on the type of violation. Even transporting processed game meat across state lines may subject you to being charged with the Lacey Act, if that animal was taken illegally.

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Your Colorado Wildlife Law Attorney

Are you facing charges for violating hunting or fishing regulations? These laws can be pretty complicated and the penalties are often severe.

Contact the Colorado Wildlife Law Lawyer by calling (720) 836-1777 to schedule a FREE and confidential consultation. Learn how we can fight for you today. Don’t go into the field without us!

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If you have been charged with an illegal killing, possession or waste of wildlife, contact WildlifeLawyer.com for effective and knowledgeable defense.

Additional Information

• Don’t Take Shed Antlers in Winter and Early