Colorado Parks and Wildlife officers are investigating the illegal killing of four bull elk in Las Animas County. The bulls were discovered on four separate ranch properties near the Stonewall and Picketwire areas. The incidents occurred on September 13, 26, and 27, and officers believe they may be connected based on the timing and locations.
Officers report that each bull was found in a different condition. One was shot and left intact. One survived long enough for officers to locate it, although it had to be put down due to the injury. Another bull had only the backstraps removed. The final bull was found with the head removed and no meat taken. CPW considers all four cases to be examples of waste and illegal take.
“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,” said Jim Hawkins, CPW Assistant Chief of Law Enforcement and Operation Game Thief coordinator.
Investigation Ongoing
Poaching investigations rely heavily on public reporting because large, rural landscapes and private land access can limit direct observation. Officers are asking anyone who heard gunshots, spotted suspicious activity, or noticed unfamiliar vehicles on those dates to share that information.
Colorado law treats many big game poaching cases as felonies. Penalties for illegally killing and wasting elk may include fines, jail time, and long-term loss of hunting privileges. Officers have not released any information about the suspect at this time.
Reward for Information
The reward for information that leads to a citation or arrest now totals $4,000. Officers hope the increased reward will help generate new leads in an area where access, elevation, and private land boundaries can complicate investigations.
Information may be provided anonymously online at Operation Game Thief, by phone at 1-877-265-6648, or by email to [email protected].
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