With the proliferation and advancement of technology in the hunting world states across the West have attempted to reign in tech they feel violates the spirit of fair chase hunting. Agree or disagree there are a lot of new laws on the books that could make your hunting equipment (optics, cameras, sights) illegal and put you in the crosshairs of a pending game violation. It is our responsibility to know and understand all the game laws where we are hunting or planning to hunt and what follows is a small example of some laws aimed at limiting technology used in the pursuit of western game.
This IS NOT a comprehensive list of laws as there are too many to include in a blog such as this. The purpose of the following information is to get you thinking about whether or not your equipment is legal to use in the state or states you hunt this fall. Please visit the state game and fish agency websites of states you will be hunting in and educate yourself beforehand so you are in compliance with all state wildlife laws.
Ignorance is NO EXCUSE!
Colorado:
- SMART RIFLES are prohibited, including any firearm equipped with a target tracking system, electronically controlled, assisted or computerlinked trigger or a ballistics computer. Any firearm equipped with a scope containing a computer processor is considered to be a smart rifle.
- Trail Cams – It is illegal to use: Use live-action game cameras to locate, surveil, or aid/assist in locating/surveilling game wildlife in order to take/try to take wildlife during the same or following day. “Live-action game camera” is any device capable of recording and transmitting photographic/video data wirelessly to a remote device (such as a computer or smart phone). This doesn’t include game cameras that record photographic/video data and store such data for later use, as long as the device cannot transmit data wirelessly.
Idaho:
- It is unlawful to pursue or kill big game animals: With any electronic device attached to, or incorporated in, the firearm or scope; except scopes containing battery powered or tritium lighted reticles are allowed.
- Trail Cams: no info found in regs
Montana:
- It is unlawful for anyone to take or attempt to take any game animal or game bird with the aid of projected artificial light. Use of rifle scopes that project an artificial light to illuminate the target or project infra-red light visible only with specialized optics to illuminate the target are unlawful for the taking of game animals.
- Rifle scopes with illuminated reticles, built-in range finding capabilities, and “red dot” scopes are lawful for the taking of game animals.
- Trail Cams: It is unlawful for a person, while hunting, to use any electronic motion-tracking device or mechanism that is designed to track the motion of a game animal and relay information on the animal’s movement to the hunter. Motion tracking devices are defined by F&W Commission as remote operated camera or video devices capable of transmitting real time information, pictures, or videos; seismic devices; thermal imaging devices; and satellite and radio telemetry devices.
Nevada:
- A sight attached to a firearm, bow, or crossbow may be illuminated or powered by: 1. A battery contained within the sight; 2. Light gathering fiber optics; 3. A radioactive isotope such as tritium; or 4. Iridescent or fluorescent paint. The sight/scope may not cast or project a visible beam of light (Refer to NAC 503.145).
- Trail Cams: With certain exemptions, it is illegal to place, maintain, or use a trail camera on public land from August 1 – December 31 of each year. It is illegal to use a trail camera July 1 – December 31 of each year if the camera is capable of transmitting images, video, or location of wildlife. (Refer to NAC 503.1485)
Utah:
- Riflescopes: You may not use: Any light-enhancement device or aiming device that casts a visible beam of light • A firearm equipped with a computerized targeting system that marks a target, calculates a firing solution and automatically discharges the firearm at a point calculated most likely to hit the acquired target • A computer or other device to remotely control the aiming and discharge of a firearm or other weapon for hunting an animal. Remember: No electronics may be attached, except for illuminated reticles.
- Trail Cams: All trail cameras are prohibited on public land from July 31 to Dec. 31 (with exceptions for approved research and monitoring).
- A trail camera using internal data storage—and not capable of transmitting live data—is permitted for use on private land for the purposes of legal hunting.
Wyoming:
- No person shall use any device attached to a legal firearm, muzzleloader or archery equipment, capable of producing a thermal or infrared image, or other imaging outside the normal visible light spectrum, with the intent to spot, locate and aid in the taking of any big game animal, trophy game animal or wild bison.
- A trail camera, or similar device, that can only store an image, picture or video inside the device, and which does not have the capability to utilize cellular or Wi-Fi technology to transmit images or video for remote viewing is permissible for use in the taking of any big game animal, trophy game animal or wild bison.
