Colorado Hunters???

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Be aware that Colorado is in the process of passing a restrictive gun/ammo/magazine control law. It has passed the House and only needs to pass the Democratic majority Senate and then be signed by the governor. It's probably a done deal.
Some Colorado residents are not going to buy hunting licenses this year to protest the new law. Better check the final version prior to scheduling any hunts there. If your rifle has a removable clip, it may be in violation of the new law. Final language, of course, is not available yet.
 
It's illegal to hunt big game in CO with anything that holds more than 5 rounds between the magazine & the chamber. So, I haven't seen anything in all this mess that would affect big game hunting. That said, less hunters does mean better odds for me to put meat in my freezer.
 
It's illegal to hunt big game in CO with anything that holds more than 5 rounds between the magazine & the chamber. So, I haven't seen anything in all this mess that would affect big game hunting. That said, less hunters does mean better odds for me to put meat in my freezer.
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I'm just starting my Hunter's Safety Course, and that little rule right there bothers me. That effectively knocks out my Winchester .44 Trapper, all my Enfield rifles, my M1903A3, and pretty much most other leverguns under .30-30 with long barrels and long magazines, yes? I know I could get a 5-rd. clip for my Garand, and I have three 4-rd. clips for my M1 Carbines.

I also can't use my Uberti .44 Walker or any other BP handgun either, and that burned my butt. But any BP rifle is OK. You can use a crossbow, but NOT during archery season! Has to be during regular rifle season. What's up with that?
 
CORRECTION- I just checked the guide to make sure. The wording is as follows. "If semiautomatic, a maximum of 6 rounds are allowed in the magazine & the chamber combined." So, I read that to mean if it is a bolt action or a tube fed gun there is no limit.

While I agree that laws propogating like rabbits isn't ideal, the way it is now a) you have a reason to buy another rifle and b) you really don't want to carry a heavy rifle around in the high country, anyway.
 
I don't know, I've never big-game hunted before, don't know if I ever will. I just know that I have to have the HSC card first to even have a chance. Other rifles, I have. I'd probably use my dad's old Rem 700 .30-06 anyway. I'm finding out that hunting here in CO is VERY complex!

I do know what I won't be out stomping around in any mountains or high country, not physically able to. I'll have to use a blind or lean against a tree all day. But I did miss out on a chance to take a deer on some local private land because I didn't have my HSC card yet.

I know a guy that shoots deer on his land with a 9mm carbine, and as long as he uses +P hollowpoint ammo he has the Game Warden's blessing. There's so many deer in the area that they pretty much beg him to shoot them, and give him some kind of "vouchers" to take several since he's one of the larger landowners and has the space. His property is surrounded by homes, so low-powered guns are preferred. They're actually a hazard to traffic in the area and a nuisance to homeowners.
 
You should contact the Department of Wildlife.They have been more than helpful to me as a new resident.They have a hunt planning department that can help you navigate your way through the rules and regulations.They recommended several areas for antelope hunting which would be available for me with no preference points.Give them a call,but have your questions written down first.
 
Look at this website as has already been suggested. http://wildlife.state.co.us/Hunting/Pages/Hunting.aspx

But also request a paper copy to be mailed to your home. It is a lot more convient than looking online.

If you are going to apply for a deer hunt applications are due April 1, so you don't have much time. If you plan to deer rifle hunt you pretty much have to apply for a drawing. Over the counter tags are hard to come by for out of state hunters. You can probably be drawn for a less productive area with no preference points, but getting into a good area will require at least 3 points.

If you plan to elk hunt over the counter tags are available in 2nd season or later in about 2/3 of the state, but to get into the better areas will requre a few points. Next time I go it will be elk or nothing. I can kill a deer here in GA. It is a 3500 mile round trip and the extra $200 for elk tags vs deer is a small increase in fees.

You can pay $25 and just apply for a preference point. My BIL does this every year and only hunts every 3-4 years after he has aquired enough points to get into a good area. You can also apply for one of the best areas knowing you will never be drawn just to get a point, then apply for a lower quality area as your 2nd choice. You will probably get to hunt in your 2nd choice, and still build a point for future use. You may not kill anything, but if you want to go now it is an option.

Colorado hunting seasons and laws are VERY different than here in GA. My advice is to seek out someone locally who has gone and pick their brains. If possible find someone else who is going locally and find a way to tag along the first time.

I'm no expert, but have made several trips to Colorado during the summer months, but only 1 hunting trip after retiring in 2010. I had planned to go back last Fall, but things didn't work out for me then. Plans are on again for Fall 2013. If you have other questions I'll answer them as best I can if you'll PM me.
 
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