With summer slowly ending, it will soon be time for hunters to take to the woods. Whether hunting for deer, bear, elk, geese or other type of animal, it’s important to know the laws in effect in Colorado when it comes to hunting either by bow or firearm.
Below are a few of the hunting laws that don’t deal specifically with hunting without the proper license.
Possession of a loaded firearm in a vehicle
It is illegal in the state of Colorado for anyone other than law enforcement to have a firearm (a rifle or a shotgun) in a vehicle if it is loaded. The penalty for violating this law is a misdemeanor conviction, a fine of $50 and 15 license suspension points.
Shooting from a public road
It is illegal in the state of Colorado for anyone other than law enforcement to release an arrow or discharge a firearm across, upon or from any public road. The penalty for violating this law is a misdemeanor conviction, a fine of $50 and five license suspension points.
Hunting with artificial light, thermal imaging or night vision devices
It is illegal in the state of Colorado for any person to use artificial light to aid in the hunting or taking of any wildlife. Exceptions include people who lease or own the land, members of their family or their agents. The penalty for carrying a loaded firearm or a strung bow while using the artificial light is a misdemeanor conviction, a $200 fine and 20 license suspension points. The penalty for using night vision or thermal imaging to aid in hunting or taking wildlife while outside of the legal hunting hours is a misdemeanor conviction, a $2,000 and 20 license suspension points.
If a person accumulates 20 license points over a period of five years for convictions of violations for articles 1 to 6 of § 33-6-106, then he or she could have any or all of his or her hunting or fishing licenses suspended for up to five years.
If you are facing charges for violations of Colorado’s wildlife code, an experienced criminal defense attorney can work with you to present a strong defense.
Source: animallaw.info, “West’s Colorado Revised Statutes Annotated. Title 33. Wildlife and Parks and Outdoor Recreation. Wildlife. Article 6. Law Enforcement and Penalties–Wildlife. Part 1. General Provisions,” accessed Aug. 30, 2017
