Colorado Law & Pigeons

A license is required to hunt pigeons in Colorado.

The Colorado Division of Wildlife (CDW) identifies band-tailed pigeons as a type of gaming bird found primarily in the state's forests. They migrate annually, usually appearing in large numbers in March and departing for warmer climates in late September. The Colorado Revised Statutes (CRS) detail the hunting laws governing these birds.

Definition

CRS 33-1-102 identifies band-tailed pigeons as "small game" and one of the animal species in Colorado eligible as prey by licensed hunters. The law also allows a person to hunt, trap or take common pigeons without a hunting license "only when such wildlife is causing damage to crops, real or personal property or livestock."

Considerations

CDW refers to band-tailed pigeons as "migratory game birds," so you must obtain a permit from the Division prior to hunting them. Hunting season for these pigeons falls in the month of September, and limits include five birds per hunting bag and two bags per day.

Importing

CDW allows importing of no more than 10 pigeons per week from a foreign country, and if you import another person's migratory birds, you violate state law.

References

• Colorado Wildlife: Small Game--Migratory Birds
• Colorado Wildlife: Band-tailed Pigeon
• Michie's Legal Resources: CRS 33-1-102, Definitions
• Michie's Legal Resources: CRS 33-6-107, Licensing Violations-Penalties
• Colorado Wildlife: 2010 Colorado Small Game