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

[sndmn11]

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.

 

[np307]

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."

 

[sndmn11]

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.

2 CCR 406-0-004 - AIDS IN TAKING WILDLIFE

www.law.cornell.edu

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.

 

[np307]

I reached out to my LE contact and he said this is the best documentation of the statute.

2 CCR 406-0-004 - AIDS IN TAKING WILDLIFE

www.law.cornell.edu

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.

 

[CMF]

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.

 

[mt terry d]

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.

 

[WaltherDawg]

Looks lie a conflict between the letter of the law and the spirit of the law (not an uncommon thing at all anymore) Where the letter states no hunting after dark but the spirit of so many hunting laws is a clean humane kill with little or no suffering.
Which path is more important to you?

 

[Hnthrdr]

Can you spot your impacts in your scope with a .300 win mag? Not trying to be overly blunt but I know I sure as heck couldn’t do it, so it kind of skews of where the actual shot landed if you catch my drift, helped out on quite a few wounded elk track jobs and like smdman said common theme is speculation on where the shot actually landed… elk are tough but definitely not armored a well placed shot in the vitals will kill them in short order, I like bullets that disrupt a little more than a ttsx