Colorado Parks and Wildlife is asking for the public’s help after four large bull elk were illegally poached on separate ranches in Las Animas County this fall. The incidents happened in mid- and late-September near Stonewall and Picketwire, and CPW says each case showed a clear disregard for wildlife and for Colorado’s hunting community — with elk shot and left to waste, or partially butchered with most of the meat abandoned.
In response, Operation Game Thief has doubled the reward to four thousand dollars for any tip that leads to a citation or an arrest. CPW says callers can remain anonymous, and anyone who provides information that results in charges may be eligible for a preference point or a hunting license, if they choose to testify.
Investigators say they’re using every tool available and are urging anyone who saw suspicious activity to come forward. Information can be submitted anonymously at 1-877-265-6648, or by email at game.thief@state.co.us
CPW notes that poaching is a serious crime — one that hurts ethical hunters, wildlife habitat, and the rural economies that depend on outdoor recreation.
