OutdoorHub Staff 07.27.26
The Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission voted to lower bag limits for furbearers. This change affects trappers and hunters throughout the state. In this, a target is set as to how many animals a person can rear in a season.
Furbearers include animals such as bobcats, foxes, and raccoons. People hunt and trap them for their fur and for population control. The new limits mean fewer animals will be harvested going forward.
what changed
Colorado Parks and Wildlife The board set new limits during its recent meeting. The goal is to keep the number of furbearers healthy for the long term. Wildlife managers said the old limits were too high for some species.
Lower bag limits are a tool states use to manage wildlife. When populations decline, managers may cut the number of animals people can raise. This helps the species to bounce back.
The rules follow wide variations in how Colorado handles trapping. Voters passed a ballot measure years ago that banned many leghold traps and snares on public and private lands. That vote laid a trap in the state.
Who does it affect?
Trappers are the first to feel the change. Fewer animals per season means less fur to sell and less income for people trapping for money. Some trappers argue that the cuts go too far. They say the Furbearer numbers are fine.
Hunters and hunters pursuing small game also need to check out the new numbers. Ranges vary by species. Read the current rules before setting out.
Conservation groups often support tighter limits. They see these as a way to protect wildlife and keep populations stable. Ranchers and farmers sometimes retreat. They rely on traps to control animals that damage livestock and crops.
what should you do
Check the latest Colorado Parks and Wildlife regulations before your next trip. Bag limits vary from year to year. What was legal in the previous season may not be legal now.
Know the range of each species you plan to target. Have your license and tags with you. Report your harvest if required by regulations.
If you trap or hunt furbearers in Colorado, plan around lower numbers. Follow the rules and keep good records. This keeps you legal and helps managers keep track of the population.
The new limits are now in effect. Stay in the present so you don’t get caught.
OutdoorHub Staff
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