Colorado's ‘Pay-to-Poach’ Loophole That’s Quietly Being Exploited 🧐

In the event that the weekend wasn’t quite long enough for you, here’s to hoping that your favorite dispatch from the outdoor world can give you 5-or-so minutes to prep yourself for yet another week.

So, without further ado, let’s grab that coffee or whiskey (no judgement) and get caught up on the outdoor news and views from the past few days. 

Here's what's worth reading about today:

THIS NEEDS TO BE BUTTONED UP
COLORADO OFFICIALS PUSH TO CLOSE A ‘PAY-TO-PLAY’ LOOPHOLE THAT’S QUIETLY BEING EXPLOITED

An obscure loophole in Colorado's wildlife statutes is quietly turning protected open space into the ultimate low-stakes hunting ground.  What those looking to exploit the rules are finding is that if they are willing to pay a slap-on-the-wrist level fine, they remain able to pocket their elk, and keep their license spotless in the process. With annual cases on the rise in one Colorado county, officials are growing concerned about the problem that is becoming the high-country's accidental "pay-to-poach" program.

The issue centers on county-owned open spaces in areas like Pitkin and Eagle counties, where lands have been conserved over the past two decades for habitat protection, recreation, and wildlife corridors. During the conservation process, counties then went around and slapped ‘no hunting’ signs on them, which unfortunately wasn’t enough to deter some from bending the rules. The loophole exists because these parcels don't neatly fit the state's Title 33 definition of "public land," and as such, Colorado Parks and Wildlife can't drop the hammer like they are able to just about everywhere else…

Utah Wildlife Board approves minor changes for bear hunting in 2026, other rule updates: The Utah Wildlife Board approved a few minor changes for bear hunting in Utah, along with other rule amendments, during a public meeting on Thursday. Read the full story.

Nantucket’s Extended Deer Hunting Season Results In Record Harvest With Weeks Remaining: The number of deer taken on Nantucket has reached a record high this year, according to preliminary numbers from the state Division of Fisheries and Wildlife. And with around a month left in the extended winter hunting season, the total number of deer harvested will continue to climb. Read the full story.

Update: Georgia DNR probes fatal shooting during hog hunt on Cumberland Island: “A hunter was shot by another hunter while hog hunting,” Georgia Department of Natural Resources spokesman Mark McKinnon said Friday in an update. “The victim was transported off the island to a local hospital but did not survive. GA DNR Critical Incident Reconstruction Team (CIRT) Investigators will lead the investigation at the request of the National Park Service.” Read the full story.

Mississippi hunter bags 160-class buck, a deer he thought was already dead: ‘When I looked up he was licking his lips and smelling that Tink's #69. He was trying to get a good smell. My heart went to thumping and racing.'  Read the full story.

Ohio's deer hunting harvest again surpasses 200,000: The statewide count totaled 222,648 through Jan. 6, making the 2025-26 deer season the fourth in as many hunts during which the harvest surpassed 200,000. A string of nine straight seasons of harvests surpassing 200,000 ended with the 2012-13 hunt.  Read the full story.

North Texas firefighters rescue duck hunters after boat sinks: Both of the adult male hunters were rescued successfully, officials say. They had been in 56-degree water for about 90 minutes and were taken to UT Health East Texas - Cedar Creek for evaluation. Read the full story.

🧐 You’re supposed to put him in a tree, not the water! Watch as this ol’ hound goes face-to-face with a raccoon in a wet environment.

Good thing that critter didn’t latch on to that hound…

Head first into a new week.

📸 : @cfreephotos

Oh, and one more thing…