Colorado Parks and Wildlife, in partnership with Operation Game Thief, has doubled the cash award for information that will help identify the responsible parties in the illegal poaching and abandoning of four large bull elk carcasses on four separate ranches in Las Animas County. The cash reward is now $4,000.
The four elk were illegally shot on September 13th, 26th, and 27th near Stonewall and Picketwire in Southern Colorado. One elk was shot and abandoned whole, one was wounded and had to be put down, one was shot with only the backstraps removed, and the fourth had its head removed with no meat taken up.
“These were senseless and disgraceful acts not only to the sportspersons community, but they also took valuable resources away from every Coloradoan demonstrating a complete disregard for Colorado wildlife. We are using every investigation technique available to us to find out who is responsible. We invite anyone who may have information about these crimes to step forward; the public is welcome to do so with full anonymity.” – Jim Hawkins, CPW Assistant Chief of Law Enforcement and Operation Game Thief coordinator.
The reward is offered for tips that lead to a citation or arrest. Anyone willing to testify about information provided leading to the filing of charges would also be eligable for a preference point or hunting license. Information can be provided anonymously either through Operation Game Thief at 1-877-265-6648 or by email to game.thief@state.co.us.
