Carrying a Bow In CO

[Kessler10]

Had a quick question that one of my cousins asked me when I saw them this past weekend.

He asked "
"what are the laws around carrying your bow in the field without a permit?" I asked
"why would you want to carry a bow without a permit. "
He said
"well if I were to join you on a scouting trip or even during the season i would want to carry my bow and shoot grouse or small game as the elk permits are out of my price range and I would want to shoot something If I go out"

I did not know the answer to this question. But felt it was valid and got me thinking that I might want to carry my bow on my scouting trips to shoot small game or even do some target practice in the elements. I shot a tree this past season and got me thinking, it would be great to actually practice shooting in the thick brush and on sidehills next time I go out.

So I guess the question is two fold

1) can you carry a bow in the summer time to shoot small game, and if so do you need to get any type of license?
2) Can you carry a bow in any big game season if you do not have that big game permit? (I would think no as it provides to much temptation for one to shoot a big game animal if they were to come across it). However if the answer is yes you can, is any type of archery license required to carry it in the field and shoot small game like grouse, rabbits, squirrel. All of which by the way I would eat if I were in the back country after eating dehydrated meals days on end.

Thanks!

[Elkduds]

If you have a CO small game license it is legal to hunt small game during open small game seasons w a bow. The regs do not discuss Bhead use for small game.

https://cpw.state.co.us/Documents/Rules ... llgame.pdf

[Kessler10]

perfect, this answers all my questions. Thanks!

[saddlesore]

Except for few predators or animals /birds with no season on them and not protected, you must have a small game license. I think nonresidents even have to have a small game license to kill non-protected species. I would not want to argue with a WCO that I was walking around just practicing shooting at clumps of weeds or trees.. I think some where there is a regulation that states if you are hiking around with a firearm that is evidence that you are hunting.I assume that would apply to bows. A concealed weapon or open carry I do believe is excluded