Violation………………….............………No. of citations in 1999
1. Loaded Firearm in a Motor Vehicle……..271 violations
2. Hunting w/o a license…………………….245 violations
3. Hunting w/o permission…………………203 violations
4. Failure to Tag………………………...……136 violations
5. Unlawful Possession of Elk……………..133 violations
6. Waste of Game…………………………....111 violations
7. Use of an Unlawful Firearm…………….…97 violations
8. No Evidence of Sex……………………...….95 violations
9. No Fluorescent Orange……………………77 violations
10. Shooting from a Public Road…………....67 violations

The Division of Wildlife’s mission is to manage wildlife. A major part of that mission during the course of the year involves monitoring hunters to ensure that they hunt safely and ethically and abide by the state’s wildlife laws and regulations.

With only 122 officers to cover the entire state, however, this becomes an overwhelming job. These officers spend much of their time during the fall and winter months hiking through the woods, traveling on backcountry roads, or spending endless hours posted at big-game check stations across the state.

The majority of hunters in Colorado abide by wildlife rules and regulations, while a small percentage run afoul of the law.

A large number of citations are written each year for having a loaded firearm in a motor vehicle. It is unlawful for any person to possess or have under his/her control any firearm, other than a pistol or revolver, in or on any motor vehicle unless the chamber is unloaded.

New this year, it also unlawful to carry a firearm (except handguns) on an off highway vehicle (OHV) during any deer, elk, antelope or bear season, unless they are unloaded in the chamber and magazine. Firearms (except handguns) and bows carried on an OHV must also be fully enclosed in a hard or soft case. Scabbards or cases with open ends or sides are prohibited.

Statistics have shown that not only is this one of the most common violations during the big-game hunting season, it is also one of the most common causes for hunting accidents in Colorado each year. Division officers are specifically concerned with checking for loaded firearms in a vehicle, and when found, will issue a citation for the violation.

Other common violations include hunting without permission on private property, failure to tag an animal upon harvest, not providing evidence of sex on a carcass and not wearing the required amount of daylight fluorescent hunter safety orange.

Hunters need to be aware of where they are at all times while hunting, to be sure they are not found trespassing on private property. After making a kill, completely fill in and detach the lower portion of the carcass tag and abide by the legal tagging requirements. Remember that it is illegal to have or transport a big game carcass without evidence of sex naturally attached. If a carcass is cut into pieces or deboned, evidence of sex needs to be attached to one-quarter or another major part of the carcass. And, all hunters must wear at least 500 square-inches of solid daylight fluorescent orange in the form of an outer garment that must include a hat or head covering visible from all directions.

While Division officers are constantly working to protect Colorado’s wildlife, they also depend upon the public to report any instances they might witness of unethical hunters or people who disobey state wildlife laws. Operation Game Thief (OGT) is a non-profit organization working with the law enforcement program. The program offers rewards to citizens who report poachers or other resources violations. Callers do not have to reveal their names, or testify in court. Rewards can be paid if the information leads to the arrest of a poacher or a citation is issued. Rewards do not depend on a conviction, but must be requested when the violation is reported. To report a violation, call 1 (800) 332-4155 toll-free outside Denver or (303) 295-0164 in Denver.