Hunting in Colorado is a year-round activity that involves the pursuit of wild animals for food, trade, sport, or pest control. Hunting allows people to utilize natural resources, and for many the experience of communing with nature is fulfilling and spiritual. Colorado hunters can seek big game, small game, turkeys, or waterfowl, within seasons establish for each—but the government prohibits hunting and killing of animals that are classified as endangered, threatened, or protected. Know these animals before leaving home, or you could face fines, arrest and hardship.
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The Colorado Department of Parks and Wildlife maintains a list of endangered and threatened species living in the state. The list includes mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish that cannot be hunted or killed. Outdoorsmen must become familiar with these, so that these species can repopulate for the good of their ecosystems, and so that future generations can enjoy their magnificence. The list is updated as species are added or removed, so hunters should regularly check to see the status of animals that they might encounter.
The list includes species identified by Colorado or by the federal government as being endangered or threatened. None of these can be hunted.
Among the mammals on the endangered list are:
1. Black-Footed Ferret
A large weasel, about 18-22-inches-long, with a yellowish brown coat and black markings on the back, feet, face, and tail. They are larger and heavier than the long-tailed weasel.
2. Grizzly Bear
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The largest of terrestrial carnivores found in North America. They stand about 7-feet-tall and weigh about 500 pounds. Grizzlies are characterized by humped shoulders, and their front legs are longer than their rear legs. Grizzlies are yellowish to reddish brown, and their tremendous claws can grow beyond 4 inches in length.
3. Kit Fox
These mammals live in sparsely covered shrub lands in Colorado’s semi-desert areas from Montrose to Grand Junction. They live in small packs and spend most of their day in their dens, emerging at night to hunt.
4. Lynx
A beautiful large cat, the lynx is known for its bobbed tail, gray spotted coat, and tufted ears. They weigh about 25 pounds, and are slightly larger than the more common bobcat.
5. Wolverine
Stocky mammals with dark brown to black fur, these animals have a reputation for tenacity. They are 3-feet-long and weight about 30 pounds. A member of the weasel family, the wolverine lives in Colorado’s higher elevations.
Before hunting in Colorado, check the list of mammals, birds and other species to verify their status.
This article is for information only. Please check current regulations before hunting.
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