Colorado Destruction of Wildlife Attorney

In Colorado, being charged with willful destruction of wildlife can have serious consequences that can affect the rest of your life, including imprisonment, loss of hunting and fishing license, and a hefty fine.

What is the Statute?

Under C.R.S. 33-6-117(1) it is unlawful for a person:
(I) To hunt or take, or to solicit another person to hunt or take, wildlife and detach or remove, with the intent to abandon the carcass or body, only the head, hide, claws, teeth, antlers, horns, internal organs, or feathers or any or all of such parts;
(II) To intentionally abandon the carcass or body of taken wildlife; or
(III) To take and intentionally abandon wildlife.

What is the Punishment?

According to C.R.S. 33-6-117(b)(I) anyone who violation 33-6-117(1), with respect to, big game, eagles, and endangered species, commits a class 5 felony and shall be punished as provided in section 18-1.3-401, C.R.S., which is one to two years imprisonment plus one year of parole and, in addition, is punishable by a fine of between $1,000.00 and $20,000.00.

In respect to all other wildlife species, anyone who is in violation of 33-6-117(1), is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be punished by a fine of not less than one hundred dollars nor more than one thousand dollars, or by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than one year, or by both such fine and imprisonment, and an assessment of twenty license suspension points.

Additionally, under C.R.S. 33-6-106 (a), the commission, or a hearing officer who has been delegated authority by the commission, has the exclusive authority to suspend the privilege of applying for, purchasing, or exercising the benefits conferred by any or all licenses issued by the division for a period not to exceed five years, if a person has been convicted of enough violations to total twenty or more points in any five-year period.

How Can You Fight It?

If you have been cited for willful destruction of wildlife in Colorado, there are a few ways Weber Law can fight for you. Whether it is negotiating to lower the charge to a lesser crime, reducing your fine amount, making sure you do not lose your hunting and fishing license, reducing your jail time, or defending you at trial, Weber Law will work for you every step of the way. By looking at potential evidence, such as your prior criminal record and eye witness testimony, Weber Law will make sure to look at all the details of your case. At Weber Law, we are experienced in defending these types of charges, winning these types of cases, and getting you back on the hunt. If you or anyone you know has been cited for willful destruction of wildlife in the state of Colorado, call Weber Law today for a consultation.

• C.R.S. 33-6-117, Willful Destruction of Wildlife – legislative intent
• C.R.S. 18-1.3-401, Felonies classified – presumptive penalties
• C.R.S. 33-6-106, Suspension of license privileges