Colorado Parks and Wildlife is asking the public for help identifying two people suspected of illegally killing a bull elk last week in northwest Moffat County.<\/p>\n
On Sept. 25, a witness called local CPW officer Jeffrey Goncalves to report what appeared to be a wounded bull elk. In addition, the witness observed two men in a pickup near the wounded bull.<\/p>\n
CPW is looking for more information about the occupants and the truck, described as a gray, early-90s Ford half-ton, extended cab, with large mud flaps and possibly a missing tailgate.<\/p>\n
The following day, Goncalves found an elk\u2019s gut-pile in the same area. Further investigation at the scene revealed substantial evidence that Goncalves says will help determine who may be responsible.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhoever commits any wildlife crime has the opportunity to do the right thing and turn themselves in immediately, and we will take that into account when determining charges,\u201d said Goncalves. \u201cCharges in a case like this can be substantial and penalties may include prison, the loss of their hunting and fishing privileges in 48 states and several thousand dollars in fines.\u201d<\/p>\n
Goncalves says based on the description provided by the witness, the bull was estimated to be a 300-inch class, 6\u00d76 bull. When bull elk of this size are poached, fines may include a $10,000 \u201ctrophy-penalty,\u201d in addition to standard penalties for the illegal take and possession of wildlife.<\/p>\n
A bull elk license in the area where the elk was killed is considered one of Colorado\u2019s most coveted for the high-quality hunting opportunity it provides. Legal, ethical hunters may wait up to a quarter-century or longer to compile enough points to draw a bull elk license in this unit.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis takes what is essentially a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity away from legal, ethical hunters,\u201d said Goncalves. \u201cIt\u2019s infuriating and very unfair to ethical hunters and that is one of the primary reasons CPW officers work so hard to bring violators to justice.\u201d<\/p>\n
Anyone providing useful information and willing to testify in this case may qualify to receive a prized bull elk license in GMU 2 through CPW\u2019s Turn In Poachers<\/a> program. Alternatively, you can remain anonymous by utilizing the Operation Game Thief<\/a> program. Rewards are available if the information leads to an arrest or citation.<\/p>\n To provide information about this case, call 877-265-6648. Verizon cell phone users can dial #OGT, or send an email to game.thief@state.co.us<\/a>\u200b\u200b. Callers must specify the type of reward they are interested in \u2013 Operation Game Thief, or Turn In Poachers.<\/p>\n \u201cWe encourage anyone that may know something to let us know as soon as they can,\u201d said Goncalves. \u201cEven if it may seem like a minor detail, little bits of information like that is often the missing piece that we need to solve a case and bring a poacher to justice.\u201d<\/p>\n