Colorado Parks & Wildlife officials are on the lookout for someone who poached a moose around December 15th-18th. The illegal killing took place near Kenosha Pass. Officers that were patrolling the area found signs of a wounded moose. After following the sign, officers found the carcass of a cow moose. Once at the moose carcass officers found that the two hindquarters of the moose had been taken but nothing else. Likewise, there were no moose or elk hunts taking place at the time of the killing.
As a result of the killing, CPW and Operation Game Thief are offering a reward of $1,000 for any information leading to the arrest of the perpetrator. Operation Game Theif is CPW’s program that gives rewards to people who help turn in poachers. The group uses a citizens committee that administers the rewards for many poaching cases in the state. Funds for rewards are typically maintained by private donations and contributors. In blatant poaching acts like this one, the committee will usually offer $1,000 or more as a reward.
“This was a senseless and disgraceful act, that demonstrates a complete disregard for our state’s wildlife and the parties responsible need to be held accountable.” – District Wildlife Manager Dawson Swanson
Colorado Parks and Wildlife is asking anyone who may have saw something suspicious near Kenosha Pass to report it to a CPW office. Likewise, if you know of anyone who may have taken a moose in the area CPW asks that you call the local Denver office at 303-291-722. People can also contact Operation Game Thief by phone at 877-265-6648 or by email at game.thief@state.co.us.
Poaching is a crime that steals wildlife from everyone. It’s our job as sportsmen and women, and conservationists to try and protect our wildlife. Poached animals and illegal harvests hurt wildlife numbers and may prevent us from hunting in the future.
So, What are your thoughts on this moose being poached near Denver? Have you ever helped catch a poacher? Let us know in the comments.
