Elk advice, 2 lost in a row where am i going wrong?

Since it looks like the thread has pretty well accomplished what it was supposed to, I'll just add on to this that you're incorrect that it is full-stop illegal. It is specifically given as a caveat that if a permitted dog handler is tracking a wounded animal and obtains permission from a wildlife officer, that they may continue tracking after legal hunting hours and dispatch the animal if it is still alive. https://www.unitedbloodtrackers.org/state-regulations/co/
That's good info!

I'm driving and skimmed. Does that link, or the dog tracking provision outline if the hunter can be armed while tracking?

When I've talked to Scott and Lyndsey i think I remember them saying the hunter needed to be unarmed, but am unsure if that was their requirement or a legal one.
 
That's good info!

I'm driving and skimmed. Does that link, or the dog tracking provision outline if the hunter can be armed while tracking?

When I've talked to Scott and Lyndsey i think I remember them saying the hunter needed to be unarmed, but am unsure if that was their requirement or a legal one.
It appears they may be armed during the track, only with a weapon legal for their season. The UBT site quotes the whole relevant statute but here's a relevant snippet: "The properly licensed hunter is required to be present while the dog is tracking and the animal must be dispatched by the hunter using a legal method of take based on their license."
 
It appears they may be armed during the track, only with a weapon legal for their season. The UBT site quotes the whole relevant statute but here's a relevant snippet: "The properly licensed hunter is required to be present while the dog is tracking and the animal must be dispatched by the hunter using a legal method of take based on their license."
I reached out to my LE contact and he said this is the best documentation of the statute.


He said pay attention to the word "may" and understand that it is a separate authorization and not implied with the permission to track at night.
Screenshot_20251014-174024.png
 
I reached out to my LE contact and he said this is the best documentation of the statute.


He said pay attention to the word "may" and understand that it is a separate authorization and not implied with the permission to track at night.
View attachment 950387
100%. I was simply objecting to the idea that it's always outside the law to put down a wounded animal outside of legal hunting hours. As narrow as the window may be, theres still a little daylight there.
 
100%. I was simply objecting to the idea that it's always outside the law to put down a wounded animal outside of legal hunting hours. As narrow as the window may be, theres still a little daylight there.
I think it's usually ethical to finish off an animal regardless of the "legal hours". Assuming you track it and find it obviously wounded.

I haven't seen it happen much. If I'm questioning the shot or track, I usually just wait until morning. It's rarely so warm that you can't leave an animal overnight. Even in MS with lows in the 50-60, I've let em lie overnight.

I've only had the opportunity once with a whitetail doe that I blood-trailed after dark and found bedded and still alive. I put another arrow in her. Crazy thing is, she jumped up, ran off, and I couldn't find her even the next morning after two arrows in her.
 
Do that to a pet or one of your livestock and you'd be charged with animal cruelty
at the least.

Guess a lot of people paid no attention to the Nuremberg trials.
 
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