Hauling big game out....

[Limited GM]

OK keep in mind I'm new to the west. Lets say you kill a elk on nat forest land and because of the location you opt to risk a fine and use an ATV to haul the meat out. Just how bad are they going to gig you if caught?

[Byte Stryke]

OK keep in mind I'm new to the west. Lets say you kill a elk on nat forest land and because of the location you opt to risk a fine and use an ATV to haul the meat out. Just how bad are they going to gig you if caught?

Yeah, Don't

[Mtn.man]

Stupid move.

[ridgewalker]

My understanding is worst case scenario...they confiscate gun, license, ATV and you get a fine. Example is just for not having an up-to-date sticker on your ATV can cost you $200 (info from a friend who had to pay this season).

Don't set a bad example. Quarter or better yet, debone and carry it out. It hurts, but I carried an entire 5x5 out in four trips nearly 5 miles back in the Rawahs. Not easy, but great stories for the rest of your life and something you will feel a great accomplishment from.

[pierce33]

Ya the pack out is just part of the hunt, I know it sucks but I actually enjoy it most of the time. It gives you time for the memories of the hunt to set in, hauling out the animal you just harvested.
Now I do have 5 hunting mules that I now use for long pack in trips but most of the year I still end up with the meat on my back. Get yourself a good pack frame and start training for next years season!

[Dryfli]

If you don't want to pack it out maybe cabelas big game hunter on wii is a better option....

[Irving]

I would offer to tag along, hang out in camp all day while you shoot it, then you could just come get me to help carry it out, but I'm busy.

[Byte Stryke]

If you don't want to pack it out maybe cabelas big game hunter on wii is a better option....


Harsh [ROFL1]

seriously, use a sled, litter, quarter it...
As I understand it you could do time for it depending on condition.
God help you if the warden says you fired from the ATV.

[ThunderSquirrel]

My understanding is worst case scenario...they confiscate gun, license, ATV and you get a fine. Example is just for not having an up-to-date sticker on your ATV can cost you $200.

This.

2 Rifles seasons ago, up in Area 36, there were a couple guys from Indiana that cut the lock on a Forest Access Gate and drove their pick-up and trailer full of ATV's back up the Access Road. Few hours later the DOW showed up, saw the gate and put a chain on it while he waited for the Forest Service.

Eventually we saw the pick-up, trailer, all the ATV's and every piece of equipment the guys had being loaded into a Froest Service Trailer. We stopped to ask what was up and the Warden told us they were confiscating "Everything that went beyond the gate in the truck" and that the guys had already been arrested. He wouldn't give us any more specifics other than that.

I'd rather burn a day packing out a bull than ruin my hunting privilages for life to get it out in an hour, that's for sure.

[soco11]

Here's an idea: if you can't hunt legally and ethically, how about not going at all? As pierce33 said, the pack-out is part of the hunt...and it too is to be done legally and ethically, just like the rest of the hunt. Don't expect any favors from other hunters either--if I see you I will report you so fast it will make your head spin. I am not going to let you ruin it for everyone else.

[TennVol]

Follow the rules: Do it the right way, or don't do it at all.

The CO DOW doesn't f**k around with stuff like that. With all of the cell phones, sat phones, CB's, etc... out there, you WILL be caught and they WILL make you suffer.

[pierce33]

I just hope people like this stick to the units everyone and their brothers go "road hunt" There is a locked USFS road where we elk hunt that litteraly goes within 300 yards of where we camp, but yet we make the 6 mile pack in with all our gear and the 6 mile pack out with all of our gear and animals. Sometimes its not fun carrying 80lbs on your back but it sure beats a day at work. I work my tail off all fall hunting and I enjoy every asspect of it. Theres not a more enjoyable way to exersise than backing out a big game animal you just harvested.

[Irving]

Guys, he just asked a question. I think he got the point, and have little doubt that he'll break the law.

[Byte Stryke]

Guys, he just asked a question. I think he got the point, and have little doubt that he'll break the law.

but wait... I wanted to give the dead horse one more whack! http://www.thegreenlanterncorps.com/forum/blackandgreen/smilies/deadhorse.gif

[Irving]

Permission to proceed.

[rondog]

Wow, can't use any vehicles at all? That settles it, I'll never be able to go hunting, that's for sure. I'm lucky I can walk on flat ground.

I know my dad and his buddies used to use Jeeps back in the 60's and 70's, I have his '56 CJ5 that he hunted with. I remember him saying the reason he parked it was because CO wouldn't let them use Jeeps anymore (we're Okies), but I didn't know that included ATV's, and didn't know the ban was still in effect.

But they sure used the Jeeps while they still could! These are from 1961.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b150/rinselman/dads%20hunting%20photos/Scan10007.jpg

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b150/rinselman/dads%20hunting%20photos/Scan10008.jpg

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b150/rinselman/dads%20hunting%20photos/Scan10015.jpg

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b150/rinselman/dads%20hunting%20photos/Scan10017.jpg

[Irving]

I think it just depends on the area.

[Bowtie]

Here is the rules from DOW about ATVs

http://dnr.state.co.us/newsapp/press.asp?pressid=6604

It says you can use ATVs to retrieve game in some parts of the Rio Grande only. It has good info on ATVs and hunting.

"Game retrieval off of roads and trails designated for motorized use is not allowed on national forests in Colorado, with the exception of limited allowances on the Rio Grande National Forest. Check with local BLM office for specific game-retrieval policies."

[gnihcraes]

depending on the area, I know some who have just driven the truck to it or nearly to it. Things were closed to ATV's at one time, but I think they had to reverse that a while ago? not sure.

One thing too, check in the local town, for a small fee, people are available to pack out with a horse. They will bring the horse, let you use the horse and pick it up when you're done. We've done this several times up in the flattops by rifle. Can't remember the price though, but it was reasonable.

[mx'r]

use a horse. works everytime!

[Limited GM]

Guys, he just asked a question. I think he got the point, and have little doubt that he'll break the law.


No worries. It wouldnt be the net if someone couldnt ask a legit question and not have 15 smart a$$ answers, mostly that didnt answer the question regarding punishment. [Tooth]

For the record I dont even have an ATV. The question arose when I mentioned another member on heres packing adventures to some guys in the south. They asked why not haul it out with quads? I knew it was illegal but that was the extent. Trust me when I say, I think ATV's ruined some of the best hunting ever there. What once was prime hunting to the dedicated was suddenly open to anyone who could afford one. And worse, nothing like being in your fav spot hr before daylight only to have a procession of people parade through after daylight.

I own land that joins nat forest and was told that atv's were only allowed on jeep trails there. When I asked about them, he had no more answers.

Regards,

[mx'r]

There is lots of forest that allows atv's. Not sure if your area up north allows it though. If i could use one to pack with that would be awesome. My ass and legs hurt after a brutal 7 mile pack with a horse yesterday.[Beer].

[henpecked]

You can call the dow or sheriffs dept were your going to hunt and they will advise you accordingly. Different areas do have different regulations regarding the responsible use of atv's.............
The farther you get away from the front range the better off you will be.
If you cut a padlock, are stuck in a bog or driving in areas designated wilderness they will throw the book at you.

[Limited GM]

Agreed. The biggest challenges I've encountered since moving here is figuring the point system and areas. I've hunted and lived in 4 states successfully . This states regs baffles the mind....

[mx'r]

I've been hunting here for 15 years and still dont understand the regs. I think it's by design [Coffee]. They change the regs every year to keep you on your toes. The Forest Service is the first to hand down steep fines, and also the first to BURN DOWN thousands of acres. I guess do as they say and not as they do..

[sniper7]

I pack mine out on a pack frame.

just use your map or gps to find the nearest road or the downhill road from your kill, take it there. get the atv to the road or your truck to the road. then, repeat as necessary until you get all the meat out.[Beer]

it definitely sucks packing them out when it would be soo convenient to drive an atv back in and drap it out or load the atv, but just remember....if you can do it, everyone can do it. what separates the road hunters and those who get deep back in the woods is exactly that; easiness.
you will also find a good correlation between the success rate of those that go back in, and those guys that drive around all day.