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How to avoid common violations for big game

Thousands of tickets are issued every year during hunting season by Colorado Parks and Wildlife officers for violations that cost hunters hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Some tickets are for flagrant violations of wildlife regulations and hunting laws, but many more are for minor violations that can be avoided. Hunters can also lose hunting privileges in Colorado and the 34 other states the cooperatively participate in a wildlife compact agreement.

To avoid penalties, wildlife managers suggest hunters review the Colorado Big Game Brochure, which explains common violations.



Some of those violations include:

• Not wearing fluorescent orange: At least 500 inches of daylight fluorescent orange is required, plus a head covering of the same color. Camouflage orange or mesh orange do not qualify.



• Carrying loaded firearms in or on vehicles: Rifles must not have ammunition in the chamber while in or on any motor vehicles. For those riding ATVs, weapons (rifles and bows) must also be in a closed case and fully unloaded (chamber and magazine). Most accidents involving firearms occur in or near vehicles.

• Shooting from a road: Before firing a shot, you must be at least 50 feet off of a designated state or county road, and just off forest service or BLM roads.

• License not voided: After you kill an animal, you must void the license immediately.

• Improperly attached carcass tag: The carcass tag must be attached to the animal. It is OK to wait until you get back to camp or to your vehicle to attach the carcass tag.

• No evidence of sex: Be sure to leave evidence of sex naturally attached to the carcass.

• Waste of game meat: Follow established protocol for skinning, quartering and cooling meat in the field.

• Shooting a spike-antlered elk: Be sure of your target and avoid shooting a spike-antlered bull.

• Illegally tagging an animal: Do not trade tags with other license holders, or use tags of other license holders.     


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