RSSDenver Colorado Wildlife Lawyers Blog
Hunting Violations in Colorado
When you are hunting in Colorado, your compliance is required with many wildlife laws. These regulations exist to promote safety and to protect a valuable resource – our state’s wildlife. Officers issue hundreds of tickets every year for hunting law violations. Many of these costly citations could have been avoided if hunters were familiar with state wildlife regulations.
What Is Samson’s Law?
Colorado prides itself on its diverse natural wildlife, so it is only fitting that state law acts to preserve and protect it. Hunters must be aware of the various laws around hunting wildlife in the state in order to avoid fines and penalties. One of the more interesting but lesser-known laws that hunters must observe is Samson’s Law. Samson’s law places stiff penalties on those who illegally hunt trophy animals so we can protect the lives and populations of Colorado wildlife. If you are a keen hunter in Colorado, keep reading to find out how this law may affect you.
CPW Expands Wolf Hazing Rules for Ranchers
In Colorado, ranchers have a long history of working to eliminate wolves. In 1869 Colorado was the first Rocky Mountain state to enact a bounty on wolves. By the end of the 1940s, there were no more wolves left in Colorado. That changed when a small pack of wolves migrated into the northwestern corner of the state in 2020.
Help Stop Poaching in Colorado
Poaching is a crime that inflicts a terrible toll on our wildlife, disrupting the natural environment. Although you may think of a poacher as someone who is trying to feed their family, this is rarely the case. In many instances, poachers are part of organized criminal conspiracies where rare animals are being killed for profit and their carcasses are left to rot in the sun. Colorado needs your help to protect our majestic wildlife.
Don’t Take Shed Antlers in Winter and Early Spring in CO
Mule deer are majestic creatures with beautiful antlers that they naturally shed in the wintertime. Many nature-lovers and enthusiasts enjoy collecting these marvelous artefacts. Unfortunately, collecting mule deer antlers in winter can disrupt their tranquility and cause them physical harm.
It is harmful to gather the antlers during the winter and early spring when food is scarce, and the animals are trying to preserve their energy. That’s why people are legally prohibited from collecting shed antlers and horns from January 1 to April 30.
How Drone Operators Violate Wildlife Laws in Colorado
Drones can be a lot of fun. Recent improvements in technology have greatly increase their range and they have also become very affordable for hobbyists. But there are strict state and federal prohibitions about where you can use drones when wildlife is present.
What Are the Most Common Hunting Violations in CO?
Hunting is a big part of our culture in Colorado. It’s a tradition that has been practiced by our citizens for generations, and it was essential to the survival of our forebearers.
There are certain precautions that must be taken to make sure hunting is safe and humane. When hunters don’t follow the rules, people can get hurt or killed, private property can be damaged, and animals may be subject to unnecessary suffering. Get to know the rules and respect people and wildlife at all times.
How Pet Owners Can Avoid Wildlife Violations in Colorado
Although there are several recreation areas in Colorado where dogs are allowed to run free, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) strongly recommends keeping pets on a leash whenever there is a chance they may encounter wildlife. This is advisable to protect your pets from predators and also to protect wildlife such as deer and elk from being injured or killed by dogs.
As a dog owner, you may be fined if your dog harasses, injures, or kills a wild animal. If you enjoy exploring the natural beauty of Colorado with your pet, it’s important to know how these wildlife laws are enforced.
What Happens If You Violate a Colorado Wildlife Law?
Even the most diligent hunters can make mistakes. Colorado’s hunting regulations can be quite complicated – hunting a certain species of animal might be allowed one season, but not allowed the next. In addition to being aware of which game can be hunted during each specific season, hunters must also be well-versed in other types of rules and regulations. It is not unusual for hunters with the best of intentions to receive a fine from $50 to $10,000-plus, depending on the violation in question. While most hunters are conscientious and careful, in Colorado, they are likely to unwittingly commit a violation of some sort.
2021 Colorado Big Game Brochure Now Available
Hunter’s the 2021 Colorado Big Game Hunting Brochure is out! Order one, pick one up at your local CPW office or review it online. This is a must for every hunter, read it, know it, live by it, because you are required to understand the laws for hunting in Colorado. Ignorance of the law is not an excuse; the Colorado Parks and Wildlife officer’s will be out, and they will be checking you to see if you are following the laws. Knowing the laws will not only help you to potentially avoid receiving a citation, but it will make for a safer hunt, for not only you but everyone else that is in the field!