Shooters/hunters

[CapLock]

What do you guys think about recreational shooting in the mountains during big game season? As a hunter I've never heard lots of shooting during a big game season. As a shooter I don't want to ruin a hunt for anyone. Should I even worry because it's not like I'm hiking back miles to target shoot. Really just be hard on the road hunters I guess. Not like they are going to harvest anything anyways.

Whats the general opinion on this?

[Colorado Osprey]

I wouldn't worry about ruining someone's hunt. It happens all the time during bow season to bow hunters. That's part of hunting public land.

As a general rule I don't go anywhere near the woods during rifle hunting seasons because I am afraid of getting "accidently" shot.

[espAmerica]

A couple of Cautions:

Firing a gun in a hunting area during the season may get you a visit from the Game Warden. If you do not have a valid Licence (and caliber West of I-25) how will you prove you were not hunting (poaching)?

If you mess up someones hunt they may call you in for "harassing hunters" which is illegal in Colorado.

[jgang]

A couple of Cautions:

Firing a gun in a hunting area during the season may get you a visit from the Game Warden. If you do not have a valid Licence (and caliber West of I-25) how will you prove you were not hunting (poaching)?

If you mess up someones hunt they may call you in for "harassing hunters" which is illegal in Colorado.

Couple of questions:

1. Is it illegal in CO to hunt predators with "sub-caliber" weapons during big game seasons in certain areas?

2. Is it prima facie evidence that discharge of a "sub-caliber" weapon constitutes hunting/poaching? I.e., isn't it up the the GAME WARDEN to prove you WERE hunting/poaching?

Just wondering. I am fortunate to have my own place in Wyoming and never worry about such things.

[Song Dog]

A couple of Cautions:

Firing a gun in a hunting area during the season may get you a visit from the Game Warden. If you do not have a valid Licence (and caliber West of I-25) how will you prove you were not hunting (poaching)?

If you mess up someones hunt they may call you in for "harassing hunters" which is illegal in Colorado.

To the OP,
I was spoken too last year during blackpowder/archery season by the CDOW for "harrasing hunters". It's not a charge that's taken lightly. They threatened to confiscate any licenses(hunting and fishing) and also threatened to not allow me to buy any for 2 years after the date of infraction and also a $130 fine. "It is the general public's responsibility to know where to target shoot during any hunting seasons." -per the DOW officer. So with what I was threatened with, I do not target shoot in any public land area during any hunting season. I go to a range. After the incident I found my actions to be rather disrespectful to my fellow hunters. I mean, how would you like to spend $ on a license, only to have your game be chased off by someone not even hunting. I'd be pretty damn pissed off. But that's my opinion, yours may difffer. It's your license and money...shoot at your own risk.

[blackford76]

Several years ago, another forum member and I picked up a couple new guns at the Tanner. It was in the middle of rifle season for elk, we couldn't wait to try out our new toys, so we went to the Harris Park USFS "shooting" area to let 'em rip.
As we were getting ready to pack up and head home, we were confronted by two elk hunters who said they were camping "just over the hill", and that we had ruined their entire hunting trip. I was about to apologize when the smaller crabby guy changed his hold on his rifle to what could only be described as "menacing".
To the many of you here who have dealt with MX'r (Josh), know that he doesn't f^ck around, and he isn't small. Well, I'm bigger than he is, and much less tolerant. Keep in mind that we are both holding our 'new' Golani sporters, and open carrying 1911's. Crabby guy's buddy takes a quick step back and un-slings his rifle. I'm thinking this shit is about to get stupid, when Josh sees a herd of elk walk out of the tree line behind the hunters. Josh points to the elk, and said in his best sarcastic drawl, "Yup, sure did bother them there elks with all our shootin."
Well, I guess only the one guy had a cow tag, and he filled it right then and there.

[spqrzilla]

I don't know any of the usual shooting areas that are not right on public rights of way. I can't think how shooting there is going to ruin anyone's hunt.

[van7559]

I would tend to tell ya to shy away from the idea. But it is public land so you all have rights! Be curtious and all should be fine

[gnihcraes]

Archery season, we always would shoot in camp, but never out in the woods. This would be about the same I'd think during gun season? (all safe, proper directions, backstops, not across roads etc)

[Danimal]

Hunting near a normal shooting area is dumb, so chances are you wont ruin a hunt for someone else. Though anyone that would hunt by a normal shooting area is dumb, and might actually have a higher chance of them shooting you.

I wear bright colors, not necessarily orange, but bright unnatural color and go to places that normally have other people shooting for recreation. If there are people shooting there all the time, chances are the animals know they don't want to be there normally, and don't hang out around those areas during the rest of the year. You wont ruin anyone's hunt.

I would not wander back in the woods early in the morning or in the evening near last light wearing a fur coat and antler hat if that is what you are getting at, though I hear that is the only way to target shoot these days.