Colorado Bow Hunting Legal Hunting Methods

[TeamOC]

I've lived and hunted in Colorado for all of my life, but only in the last 8 years have I hunted solely with a bow. I thought I would share the bowhunting regulations from the most recent (2014) Big Game Brochure with all our potential bow hunting companions heading to Colorado for the first time.

NOTE: (F) Below- This is a particular point with me as I've watched countless videos on U-TUBE etc. where hunters are in Colorado with a GO-PRO or equivalent mounted to their bow...Per this statement and at the validation of my neighbor a CPW Ranger, mounting anything to your bow electronic or battery powered is a violation.

4. HAND-HELD BOWS A long bow, recurve bow or compound
bow on which the string is not drawn mechanically or held mechanically
under tension. String or mechanical releases are legal if they are handdrawn
or hand-held with no other attachments or connections to bow
(except bowstring).
a. Hand-held bows, including compound bows, must use arrows with a
broadhead having a minimum 7/8-inch outside diameter or width and
minimum of two steel cutting edges. Each cutting edge must be in same
plane for entire length of cutting surface.
b. Only legal, hand-held bows allowed during archery seasons.
c. Minimum draw weight of 35 pounds required. Let-off maximum of 80
percent.
d. No part of bow’s riser (handle) or track, trough, channel, arrow rest or
other device (excluding cables and bowstring) that attaches to riser can
contact, support and/or guide the arrow from a point rearward of the
bow’s brace height behind the undrawn string.
e. Bows can propel only a single arrow at a time. No mechanisms for automatically
loading arrows allowed.
f. Scopes, electronic or battery-powered devices cannot be incorporated into
or attached to bow or arrow. No lighted nocks.
g. Hydraulic or pneumatic technology cannot be used to derive or store
energy to propel arrows. Explosive arrows prohibited.

 

[brushcreek]

I can't see how mounting a camera gives any advantage to the hunter. Is it just me or is that a dumb rule? I understand not allowing the digital rangefinders.

 

[Engideer]

I follow their guidelines, but I don't see how that is an advantage to the hunter either. I also am a fan of lighted nocks, I think they can help in recovery at times, but I make sure and take them out and retune before I come to CO. I would guess for the cameras, it is one of those rules that they made intentionally broad to cover new technology without having to specifically name each new thing.

 

[OregonJim]

Thanks for alerting everyone to that rule.

Although there is nothing gained it could turn a great hunt into a real pain in the a$$.

 

[swampokie]

Cant say im shocked. Im surprised the govt in Colorado will still allow its people to hunt! The joint behind the ear is fine but don't u go a stickin them lighted nocks on ur arrows!

 

[pronghorn]

One of the things they are specifically trying to eliminate is sight lights. This prevents people from hunting too early and too late.

 

[Tgar]

Heading to CO for first time elk hunt in Sept. I caught this info on their site as well. Was going to
Contact Wildlife to ask about the sight as i do have a trophy ridge with ability to utilize a battery. The sight
Works without the battery as well so is it considered unlawful if there is no battery? Its not like a laser
Or holographic that requires a battery to operate. Believe me, i'll spend the money
On another sight before risking a confiscation and or fines!

 

[Hilltop]

Why wouldn't they allow lighted nocks?? This is just stupid... To me these nocks do nothing but help the hunter know shot placement and aid in recovery of the arrow. Knowing shot placement should result in more ethical practices by bowhunters...ie knowing when to take up the blood trail. This is just some crap rule the Anti-hunting community was probably able to get through. If I was a hunter in Colorado I would fight this one any way I could...

 

[flatlandfreddy]

For the lighted sights -- I spoke with a game warden in CO and he is going to call me back and let me know if taking the battery out works - you can do like I do and just unscrew the light from the sight and leave it at home. You will be surprised at how bright the sites are just do to the fiber optics.

 

[okielite]

So you can have a rangefinder in your pocket but not attached to your bow. Makes no logical sense.

Dont understand why you can't have a go pro attached to your bow but you can have it attached to your hat. Makes no logical sense.

No lighted knocks? Makes no logical sense.

some states simply have outdated laws IMO.

 

[brushcreek]

So you can have a rangefinder in your pocket but not attached to your bow. Makes no logical sense.

Dont understand why you can't have a go pro attached to your bow but you can have it attached to your hat. Makes no logical sense.

No lighted knocks? Makes no logical sense.

some states simply have outdated laws IMO.

I agree 100%. who is making these laws/rules?

 

[ColoradoV]

I ran into a guy who got a ticket for a bow site with no battery in it he wanted to bitch an moan to me about it but did not get far with me. So yea even the battery out method can get you a ticket.

Whenever I am afforded the privilege to hunt another state I respect and follow the rules to a T out of respect for how the locals want it done. This is not the east coast style of hunting around here the rules in place are good and needed or we soon will be seeing a range finding scoped bow with 90% let off and a lazer site. Then someone would bitch that they can not use a crossbow with a range finding scope complete with lazer site and auto cocking system....

I think that it is a good medium reached right now here in Co - as if you cant kill something with a bow that shoots great out to 60 yards, a muzzy that can easily shoot 150 yds, or a rifle to 600 it is time to become a better HUNTER and rely less on TECHNOLOGY....

If any of the rules are too much for ya to put it blunt - either risk a ticket or dont come out. Frankly you will not be missed much if you are the type who chooses to duck the rules.

Not tryin to rile up any feathers but if you are coming out respect the laws as well as the locals and they will respect you back. If you want to change the laws join the CBA as they are the ones who give you a voice.

Now I wonder how many hunters will be putting a few extra tax dollars into helping build some schools when they come out? With about 60 million in tax revenue generated so far - all over the left hand cigarette behind the ear there will be a few !

 

[gypsumreaper]

I agree with coloradov, hunting has gone from an almost equal pursuit between game and hunter to, almost certain death. I hunt bow and rifle I do not understand the ruling on allowing to have lighted reticles on ur rifle scope but no light on ur bow. But not my choice I follow the rules. And I have no problem with turning in others hat do not follow the rules, if you need to cheat in order to get urself a kill then please don't come out. I have no sympathy for anyone that disregards the rules no matter how stupid they are. In Colorado they kind of take away a to. Of advantages from bow hunters and muzzle loaders, (no sight lights, no electronics on ur bow, no scope on ur muzzy). But there's really no laws to rifle hunters, I have seen countless guys shoot from the road at elk or deer 700-800 yards away, miss and hen say well shit I didn't wanna walk that far anyways. They were verbally warned that it is illegal to shoot from the road. But honestly if you don't wanna walk to get closer to an animal why shoot at it? I guess my whole game in hunting isn't meat in the freezer to me it's to play the game with the animal and try and give hem advantages as well, that's why I live bow hunting it takes the distance equation out and puts me head on with the game . Sorry if I pissed anyone off but it's all the truth. But please follow the rules and hunt for the true meaning of hunting , not to show off ur trophy


If you get meat from the store then dont criticize me for having the courage to go out and kill my own meat

 

[Granby guy]

I had a long talk with 3 district wildlife managers and the rules are in place to keep archery and muzzleloading primitive. I agree with the laws because as technology keeps advancing, there needs to be a line drawn in the sand. If you don't like or agree with the laws then you have the choice not to come hunting here.

 

[AKaviator]

I had a long talk with 3 district wildlife managers and the rules are in place to keep archery and muzzleloading primitive. I agree with the laws because as technology keeps advancing, there needs to be a line drawn in the sand. If you don't like or agree with the laws then you have the choice not to come hunting here.

I completely agree. This reminds me of a commercial by a famous pro hunter that talks about how the animals we hunt have evolved and are smarter, but that so are we. Well, we evolved from throwing rocks and spears to shooting at well over 1000 yards and with electronic aiming devices, using drones and 24/7 cameras...etc. The animals maybe run a little sooner or faster. Had they kept pace, they would be shooting back at us by now!
I do think that many of the regulations are in place to make it a little bit harder for us, which may just force us to improve our hunting skills, not just our gadget skills.
With that said, some of the regulations don't make much sense. So we should attend the regulation meetings and see if we can influence the regulation makers to change them. It's a very public process, in Alaska at least.

 

[NE69]

So we should attend the regulation meetings and see if we can influence the regulation makers to change them. It's a very public process, in Alaska at least.[/QUOTE]

It is very public in most states and I have seen several times where 1 person at a meeting has been able to get something changed in the regulations. The use of crossbows in regular bow season was done this way in Nebraska. Not so easy to get it thrown out. I also have become concerned about the long distances that some Bowhunters are taking game today compared to years ago. The bows are amazing and capable of it and I'm not saying it's wrong. I'm just not comfortable with the idea. I know the excitement for me increases inside of 30 yards and at 10 yards is through the roof. Primitive hunting is just that and I wish it would stay that way. One thing I have learned though is nothing ever stays the same.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

Have you ever attended a Colorado Commission meeting? I have several times and I came away thinking I just talked to a wall! They all are appointed by the Governor and only 1 is a representative at large who supposedly represents "sportsman". We had a meeting in Durango several years ago that a few of us attended to speak on the issue of "non migratory" waterfowl, specifically Canada Geese. As we have a large population of them that are here year round and really are a problem to the farmers, the golf course & parks, we wanted a larger bag limit prior to the migratory birds getting here, like Maryland has. Could not get on the agenda before the meeting and spoke during public comments. They all looked bored and said thanks and someone would look into it. Never heard a word. I've had several discussions about different topics with the local area Game Office Manager, same results. Just seems to be hard to get anyone to listen.

Just sayin..................

 

[gypsumreaper]

Did they change the rule about broadheads? I remember reading that the blades on ur broadhead could not be curved


If you get meat from the store then dont criticize me for having the courage to go out and kill my own meat

 

[NE69]

CC, I agree that usually it is like talking to a brick wall at those meetings. I imagine there was some inside happenings or strong connections when a lone person gets anything done at a meeting. I have never attended one in Colorado and I totally respect anyone that does and tries to get something changed for the better.

 

[ivorytip]

Idaho is same way, no lighted nocks, no mechanical heads, no electronics on bow or rifle. I have no problem with this. lighted nocks would be nice but oh well. mechanical head wont kill any better than a fixed blade and with a fixed blade u don't have to worry about the blades not working right. as far as a camera on the bow, I guess depending on the officer that stopped ya, here in Idaho I don't think they'd give you much of a prob, some will though. for those that use traditional bows, that is awesome and that is on my bucket list. people kill large animals every year with a recurve or long bow, to me.... these guys are true hunters that have really perfected how they hunt. if you can bring a beast down at close enough range for a traditional bow then that is true skill. I use a compound and rifle and I love it but as hard as I hunt...... killing one with a traditional would be by far more epic. I think a lot of us expect a kill and expect the states to do everything they can to help us get 100% success every fall, we have to use what we have and make it work.