Furbearer Electronic Call Device Regulations

Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is seeking public feedback on potential changes to regulations regarding the use of electronic call devices for hunting furbearers.

Background

At the September 2026 Parks and Wildlife Commission (Commission) meeting, Commissioners directed CPW staff to initiate rulemaking that would ban the use of electronic call devices for hunting furbearers on public lands statewide. To listen to Commission discussion and direction to the Division please see the September 2026 Day 2 meeting recording (Beginning around 1:48:00).

CPW is seeking public input on regulatory alternatives identified by the Commission. The Commission is tentatively scheduled to discuss these alternatives at the issue stage in January 2027 and consider final regulations for approval at the March 2027 Commission meeting.

What Changes are Being Considered?

Based on guidance from the Commission, Division staff will present two alternatives for Commission consideration:

• Alternative 1 (Status Quo): The use of electronic call devices for hunting furbearers would remain legal on both public and private lands statewide.

• Alternative 2: The use of electronic call devices for hunting furbearers would no longer be legal on public lands. “Public lands” will need to be defined as part of this alternative. Use of electronic call devices for taking furbearers on private lands would remain legal.

There are 17 furbearer species identified in CPW regulations: coyote, mink, pine marten, badger, red fox, gray fox, swift fox, striped skunk, western spotted skunk, beaver, muskrat, long-tailed weasel, short-tailed weasel, bobcat, opossum, ring-tailed cat and raccoon.

How to Get Involved

Please use the comment form on this page to share feedback with CPW staff on the potential rule change to prohibit the use of electronic call devices for hunting furbearers on public lands. Public input will be accepted by the Division from October 21, 2026 through November 11, 2026. Feedback provided will inform the Division’s presentation of the regulatory issue and alternatives to the Commission at its January 6-7, 2027 meeting. Individual comments will not be provided to the Commission but may be summarized by Division personnel.

Members of the public can submit public comments directly to the Commission as part of the rulemaking process. More information on submitting public comments for consideration by Commissioners is available on the Commission webpage.