Hunters concerned about low-flying aircraft in Gunnison Basin

During the last two weeks, Colorado Parks and Wildlife has received reports of low-flying aircraft circling over hunting areas in the Gunnison Basin.
Hunters reported seeing and hearing a plane and a helicopter flying during day and night hours, especially over Game Management Unit 54 and the West Elk Wilderness. Similar incidents have also been reported elsewhere in the Gunnison Basin.

Hunters believe the aircraft are harassing wildlife.
CPW is asking anyone who observes aircraft that appear to be interfering with hunting activity or harassing wildlife to make a report to the local office at (970) 641-7060, or to Operation Game Thief at (877) 265-6648.
Those observing any suspicious aircraft are asked to look for aircraft details.
“Numbers, which are typically found on the fuselage just forward of the tail or on the tail, would be especially helpful,” said J Wenum, area wildlife manager in Gunnison.
Other details to note include: distinguishing marks or colors; locations, times when aircraft are seen’ flight pattern; elevation above the ground; and any other details that may help identify the aircraft and its actions.
“Scouting an area from the air well before the season starts is legal,” Wenum explained. “But aircraft cannot be used during the hunting season to scout or to attempt to move animals into a specific area. That type of activity is illegal.”
The federal Airborne Hunting Act prohibits hunting or harassing animals from aircraft. Anyone convicted of that activity can be fined and sentenced up to a year in jail.
DOW regulations prohibit using aircraft for hunting, for directing and communicating with hunters on the ground, and for hunters on the ground to take directions from someone in an airplane. State rules also prohibit hunting in an area the same day or the day after a scouting flight has been made. Penalties can include a fine of $2,000 and 15 penalty points.