DENVER (KDVR) — With applications for big game hunting licenses opening in March, there are plenty of rules to follow. Among those are the hefty consequences that come from killing a gray wolf.

Gray wolves were reintroduced into the state as an attempt to rebuild Colorado’s wolf population. Even after public pushback, there have been at least 10 wolves released so far.

With Colorado finally approving the reintroduction, Colorado Parks and Wildlife has implemented rules to keep the wolves safe.

Hunting big game species

Ten big game species can be hunted in Colorado, with proper licensing and a complete application. These animals include types of deer, elk, pronghorn, moose and bear, according to CPW.

Not on the list are gray wolves, which are protected federally and statewide under the Endangered Species Act. They are listed as a nonessential, experimental population.

If you kill a wolf, whether you meant to or not, it’s going to be a legal process.

Wolves can look similar to other species, like coyotes. Except killing a wolf, whether you have a hunting license or not, is cause for a criminal investigation.

Consequences for killing a gray wolf in Colorado

Because wolves are a nonessential, experimental population, there’s a strict protocol when it comes to conflict with livestock. If the wolf is killed outside of this protocol, it is illegal.

There’s an exception when it’s to protect human safety. In this rare case, there would still be an investigation. If it’s an accident, CPW says to contact them immediately.

Unlawful penalties can vary and can include fines up to $100,000, jail time and loss of hunting privileges.

As of now, wolves are not game species, but if populations reach certain levels and they’re removed from the federal Endangered Species Act, a future parks and wildlife commission may seek to reclassify them as a game species, according to CPW.