07/02/2007
Basis and Purpose
Chapter 0 - General Provisions

Basis and Purpose

Proliferation of feral hogs has been detected in Southeast Colorado.  Feral hogs are known to be invasive and destructive to wildlife habitat.  The Division, which has statutory jurisdiction over wildlife, has had numerous communications on the issue of feral hogs with various governmental and private entities, including the Colorado Department of Agriculture, which has statutory jurisdiction over domestic swine.  Because feral hogs are not taxonomically distinct from domestic swine, existing statutes and regulations do not adequately address means for the general public to take feral hogs at large.  The Wildlife Commission has expressed an interest in controlling the feral hog population to protect Colorado’s wildlife and wildlife habitat.  These regulations provide a definition of feral hogs and enable take of feral hogs.  Further, they disallow profiting from allowing hunting of feral hogs to discourage harboring of feral hogs.

The statutory authority for these regulations can be found in § 24-4-103, C.R.S., and the state Wildlife Act, §§ 33-1-101 to 33-6-209, C.R.S., specifically including, but not limited to: §§ 33-1-101, 102, 104, 105, 106-108, 115, and 121; §§ 33-2-104, 105, 106, and 107; § 33-3-104; §§ 33-4-101, 102, 102.5, 103, 116, 116.5, 117, and 119; § 33-5.5-102; and §§ 33-6-107, 109, 112, 113, 113.5, 114, 114.5, 117, 119, 120, 121, 124, 127, 128, 129, 131, 205, 206, 207, and 208. 

EFFECTIVE DATE - THESE REGULATIONS SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 1, 2007 AND SHALL REMAIN IN FULL FORCE AND EFFECT UNTIL REPEALED, AMENDED OR SUPERSEDED.

APPROVED AND ADOPTED BY THE WILDLIFE COMMISSION OF THE STATE OF COLORADO THIS 2nd DAY OF JULY, 2007.
Approved:
Thomas M. Burke
	Chairman
Attest:
Robert W. Bray
Secretary