Multiple Elk Poached, Abandoned in Colorado

Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) seeks the public’s help to identify those responsible for illegally poaching and abandoning carcasses of four large bull elk on four separate ranches in Las Animas County, near the Colorado-New Mexico state-line. The elk were illegally shot Sept. 13, 26 and 27 near the communities of Stonewall and Picketwire.

Of the four bull elk illegally poached, one was shot and abandoned whole; one was wounded and had to be put down; another was shot with the backstraps removed; the fourth had its head removed with no meat taken. 

“These were senseless and disgraceful acts which demonstrates a complete disregard for Colorado wildlife,” said Jim Hawkins, CPW Assistant Chief of Law Enforcement and Operation Game Thief Coordinator. 

Investigators would like to speak with anyone who may have information about these crimes. Information may be provided anonymously through Operation Game Thief at 1-877-265-6648 or by email to [email protected].  A $1,000 reward is being offered for tips that lead to a citation or an arrest. Anyone willing to testify about information they provided which led to the filing of charges would be eligible for a preference point or hunting license.

According to the CPW website: “Poaching is a serious, costly crime which harms legitimate sportspersons, wildlife viewers, small business owners and taxpayers. If convicted, a person charged with poaching violations could face heavy fines and suspension of hunting and fishing licenses.”  

Opinion

While that sounds good, it seems like poachers normally just receive a slap on the wrist. What good is suspending a poacher’s hunting license when they are already hunting without a license anyway? We need extremely heavy fines and significant jail-time if we really want to slow or stop poaching.