Colorado § 33-4-101.3 - Black bears - declaration of intent - spring season hunting prohibited - prohibited means of taking - penalty.

§ 33-4-101.3. Black bears - declaration of intent - spring season hunting prohibited - prohibited means of taking - penalty.

(1) It is the intent of the voters of Colorado in adopting this measure to prohibit the taking of black bears when female black bears are rearing their cubs. It is the further intent of the voters of Colorado to promote the concept of fair chase in the taking of black bears by eliminating the use of bait and dogs. In considering proposed changes to the restrictions on the taking of black bears which are established in this measure, the Colorado general assembly shall take notice of the fact that this measure was adopted by a vote of the people at the 1992 general election.

(2) During the period from March 1 through September 1 of any calendar year, it is unlawful for any person to take a black bear by any means including but not limited to firearm or bow and arrow.

(3) It is unlawful for any person to take a black bear with the use of bait, or with the use of one or more dogs, at any time during any calendar year. In the event that a dog or dogs accidentally chases a black bear while the owner or person in control of such dog or dogs is in legal pursuit of other game, such owner or person in control of the dog or dogs shall not be charged with the illegal taking of a black bear so long as the dog or dogs are called off as soon as the mistake is realized and the black bear is not injured or killed.

(4) The provisions of this section shall not apply to employees or agents of the division of parks and wildlife or to field agents of the United States department of agriculture when such employees or agents are acting in their official capacity, nor shall this section apply to any person who lawfully takes a black bear in defense of livestock, real property, a motor vehicle, or human life pursuant to section 33-3-106.

(5) For purposes of this section, "bait" means to place, expose, deposit, distribute, or scatter salt, minerals, grain, animal parts, or other food, so as to constitute a lure, attraction, or enticement for black bears on or over any area where hunters are attempting to take black bears.

(6) Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a class 2 misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished as provided in section 18-1.3-501. In addition, persons convicted pursuant to this section shall have their wildlife license privileges suspended for five years and persons convicted of a second or subsequent offense pursuant to this section shall have their wildlife license privileges suspended permanently.

(7) For the purposes of this section, "agent" means any qualified individual trained in wildlife procedures and operating under the direction of the division of parks and wildlife.

Source: Initiated 92: Entire section added, § 1, effective January 14, 1993. L. 2002: (4) amended and (7) added, p. 695, § 1, effective May 29; (6) amended, p. 1544, § 293, effective October 1. L. 2003: (4) amended, p. 1940, § 3, effective May 22. L. 2021: (6) amended, (SB 21-271), ch. 462, p. 3258, § 550, effective March 1, 2022.

Editor's note: This section was added by an initiated measure, effective January 14, 1993, prohibiting the taking of black bears under certain circumstances. The vote count on the measure at the general election held November 3, 1992, was as follows:

FOR: 1,054,032

AGAINST: 458,260

Cross references: For the legislative declaration contained in the 2002 act amending subsection (6), see section 1 of chapter 318, Session Laws of Colorado 2002.