CPW: Hunter kills wolf in Colorado after mistaking it for a coyote

Colorado Parks and Wildlife and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have completed their investigation into the death of a female gray wolf from earlier this year in northwest Colorado.

The investigation has determined that gray wolf 2504 died from an accidental gunshot wound from a licensed hunter who mistook the wolf for a coyote on Jan. 16, CPW said in a media release. The wolf was part of the group of wolves translocated to Colorado from British Columbia in January 2025, CPW said in January.

After the hunter shot the wolf, they reported the incident to CPW and cooperated with law enforcement throughout the investigation, according to CPW.

“Unlawful take of protected species is a criminal act that can carry serious penalties. Through CPW’s thorough investigative process we recognized that the hunter made the ethical choice to immediately report the incident and take responsibility for the accident,” said Ty Petersburg, Chief of Law Enforcement and Assistant Director of Field Services for CPW.

CPW cited the hunter for violating CPW regulations but is not pursuing further charges.

The agency also reminded the public that gray wolves are a state and federal protected endangered species.