Wild pig hunting in SE Colorado

[spyder]

So, my X's husband (he and I get along) told me that he and his dad went out and shot a few piggies a few weeks back ten or so miles (if I remember right) south of La Junta. This started a chain reaction in my head about going out hunting for those little shits (the pigs, not my X and her hubby...). Has anyone here gone out huntin for them? I was looking up the topic this morning and found this:

Night Time Hunting: Yes
Baiting: No
Summary: Wild hogs are considered a danger to wildlife, and are not regulated. You may take any feral hog that is identified as wild, without a limit. It is illegal to have commercial hunts for feral swine in Colorado. There are wild pigs moving in to south eastern Colorado, and are causing great concern for some.
Yes, there are wild boar in Colorado, and as long as there is a food source, adaptable climate, and suitable habitat, wild pigs will prosper in Colorado.
Recently, HuntWildPIg.com was contacted by the acting Chief of Colorado Wildlife, Bob Thompson. Below is the letter that was sent in response to some questions we had concerning hunting wild boar in Colorado:



Greg,

Thank you for your email asking about regulations on night time hunting, hunting with dogs, baiting, and method of take of feral hogs. Issues surrounding feral hogs may in the near future be addressed in Wildlife Commission Regulations (WCR) to further clarify methods and manner of take, etc. so before taking any wildlife species in Colorado a person needs to check what the most current laws and regulations are.

Below are the responses to each with current regulations.

Night Time Hunting
Taking feral hogs at night is allowed. This is allowed in Wildlife Commission Regulation (WCR) #303.E.9 & 10 to take feral hogs at night with the use of artificial light on private land without a permit and on public land with a night hunting permit.

#303 – Manner of Take:
The following are legal methods of take for game species listed in this chapter. Any method of take not listed herein shall be prohibited, except as otherwise provided by Statute or Commission regulation or by 35-40-100.2-115, C.R.S.
9. Artificial light (private land) may be used at night to take beaver, bobcat, coyote, feral hogs, gray fox, raccoon, red fox, striped skunk and swift fox on private land with permission of the landowner or his designated agent.
10. Artificial light (public land) may be used at night to take beaver, bobcat, coyote, feral hogs, gray fox, raccoon, red fox, striped skunk and swift fox on public lands by permit only, as follows:
a. Each permit shall be valid only for the time, species, and location specified on the permit. No permit will be valid during any deer, elk or antelope rifle season or during the 24-hour period prior to the opening weekend; nor during the opening weekend of any grouse, pheasant, quail, turkey or waterfowl season in those areas where such seasons are in progress.
b. An artificial light which is permanently attached to, or projected from within a vehicle is prohibited.
c. Taking shall not be permitted within 500 yards of a dwelling, building, or other structure, or in any area of public concentration where human safety would be jeopardized.
d. Such permit shall be carried while hunting and available for inspection upon demand.
e. Area wildlife managers and district wildlife managers may deny a permit where there is a potential that night hunting activities may result in significant adverse impact on wildlife resources by causing movement of large numbers of big game or otherwise. Provided further that night hunting permits for bobcat will not be issued on public lands in the Canada lynx recovery area where Canada lynx are known to be present. When one Canada lynx has been taken by a bobcat hunter during the current year’s hunting season no night hunting permits for bobcat will be issued for the remainder of the calendar year in the Canada lynx recovery area or in the area outside the Canada lynx recovery area where the Canada lynx was taken. In such instance, any night hunting permits for bobcat already issued under this provision shall be terminated.
f. A permit shall not be required of any person, member of the person’s family, lessee, agent, designee, or any employee of the person when necessary to protect such person’s property.

Hunting with Dogs and Bait
Under current WCR #004 the use of dogs and bait are not allowed to take feral hogs. Current regulations do not expressly authorize use of dogs or bait to take feral hogs.
#004 – #004 – AIDS IN TAKING WILDLIFE
A. Aids Used in Taking Big Game, Small Game and Furbearers – Except as expressly authorized by these regulations, the use of baits and other aids in taking big game, small game and furbearers is prohibited.
1. Baits
a. Furbearers may be taken with the aid of baiting. Where permitted, baits shall consist solely of material of animal or plant origin and shall not contain any materials of metal, glass, porcelain, plastic, cardboard or paper. Wildlife used as bait shall be the carcass, or parts thereof, of legally taken furbearers, carp, shad, white and longnose suckers, and nonedible portions of legally obtained game mammals, birds and game fish.
2. Dogs
a. Use of dogs in the taking of wildlife is prohibited except as authorized in Commission Regulations. (See also: §33-4-101.3, C.R.S.)
1. Dogs may be used to hunt or take mountain lion, small game, waterfowl, and furbearers, only as an aid to pursue, bring to bay, retrieve, flush or point, but not otherwise. Further, dogs shall not
be used to hunt or take cottontail rabbits, snowshoe hares, and tree squirrels where a regular deer, elk, pronghorn or moose season is in progress.

Method of Take
Under current WCR #002.K feral hogs may be taken without a license and manner of take is not specified so any method of take not otherwise illegal has been allowed such as gun, bow, live trap but not with such illegal method of take such as use of poison, dogs, bait, night vision equipment at night, etc.
#002 – License Requirements
K. Feral Hogs
1. Feral hogs are hereby declared to be detrimental to Colorado’s wildlife and habitat. Feral hogs may be seized, captured or destroyed by the Division or its authorized agents whenever and wherever found.
2. No license is required for a person to hunt or take feral hogs. However, commercial hunting or taking of feral hogs is prohibited. No person shall receive compensation or attempt to receive compensation from the hunting of feral hogs in Colorado.
3. No person shall release species or hybrids of species in the families Suidae or Tayassuidae in Colorado for the purpose of allowing them to run at large or otherwise facilitating the distribution or
abundance of feral hogs in Colorado.
Thanks!
Bob Thompson
Acting Chief of Wildlife Law Enforcement
Colorado Parks and Wildlife
6060 Broadway, Denver, CO 80216
bob.thompson@state.co.us
(303) 291-7342



From: Baker, James
Sent: Tuesday, May 22, 2012 9:23 AM
To: Thompson, Bob
Subject: FW: Feral Hog Hunting / Colorado



Bob, could you assist me with this hunters questions about Feral Hog hunting ?
Thank you for your time, Jim


Jim Baker
Colorado Parks and Wildlife
Customer Service/Communications
6060 Broadway
Denver, CO. 80216
303-291-7684
james.baker@state.co.us
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[Wiggity]

Any idea where they have been spotted in SE CO?

[spyder]

I would say south of La Junta and at least over to I-25. So, all of that area in the SE is what I would say that they could easily be in.

[Monky]

I think we have a few members here who hunt the bastards...

[GhostRider]

damn, I would like to get in a hunt for them

[Longnecktipper]

Wonder how long it will take for them to change some of these laws up ? No dogs ? Can use a dog to hunt a Mountian lion , but can't for hogs. Lame

[battle_sight_zero]

My ex wife is a feral hog. You might find her on match.com. Just me careful those tusks can kill you!

[Wiggity]

I would say south of La Junta and at least over to I-25. So, all of that area in the SE is what I would say that they could easily be in.

How do you know this?

Have you actually seen any or personally know someone who has? Or is it just a guess?


Just trying to figure out exactly where they are.

[nells08]

Hmm, I have a buddy with land in La Junta. I'm gonna ask if he's seen any on his property. I have hunted them in SW Fla but not here its a good time! They are normally in groups of 4-8. Crack off one round and the chaos begins! I am building a AR10 rig specifically for pig hunting!

[spyder]

Wonder how long it will take for them to change some of these laws up ? No dogs ? Can use a dog to hunt a Mountian lion , but can't for hogs. Lame

From what I have read, some have had rabies in other parts of the piggie nation. Maybe they don't want your dog biting them...

How do you know this?

Have you actually seen any or personally know someone who has? Or is it just a guess?


Just trying to figure out exactly where they are.

You must not have actually read what I said to begin with. Go read what I wrote before the quote. Also, if the Acting Chief of Wildlife Law Enforcement has rules and regs on how to hunt them, wouldn't they have already had to deal with them? Just a thought. You can also look up piggies in colorado if you need. What makes me believe him, is this is not the first time I have heard of people taking piggies here.