Colorado hunters who use off-highway vehicles will have to pay more attention to the rules this season. When the legislature passed HB 1069 last year, it gave the Division of Wildlife authority to issue citations to hunters who took their vehicles into forbidden territory. This year, they’ll be more inclined to use it.
In 2008, the watchword was warnings, giving hunters an opportunity to become accustomed to the new law. Now it’ll be tickets all around.
The law is intended to curtail a growing dilemma with off-road travel, particularly during hunting season. Misuse of the vehicles not only churn up the countryside causing environmental damage, it also spooks deer and elk, chasing them farther into the back country where they are harder for hunters to find.
The bill had solid support from the Colorado Off-Highway Vehicle Coalition. It also was favored by most in the outdoor community.
Another change this year emanates from a U.S. Forest Service dictum that OHVs could travel on trails where signs allow it. The best practice: Obey the rules or pay the ticket.
Charlie Meyers, The Denver Post
