Posted on 10/20/2025 6:47:53 AM PDT by Red Badger
This bull elk was among four illegally shot and left to rot in southern Colorado. (Courtesy Colorado Park and Wildlife)
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In a poaching case that one wildlife official said is the worst he’s ever seen, four trophy-sized bull elk were shot and left to rot in southern Colorado, in one of the state’s most prized hunting areas.
The bulls’ carcasses were found abandoned on four separate ranches in Las Animas County, Colorado.
Investigators suspect the elk were shot at night, Mike Brown, area wildlife manager for Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW), told Cowboy State Daily.
The elk were apparently poached last month, but the investigation remains a top priority for CPW, said Brown, who called the case “unsettling.”
“This is something that I’ve never seen,” he said.
“These elk were all killed within close proximity of roads. And that tells me this wasn’t something that was accidental,” Brown added.
A Mountain Of Charges And Penalties
The case could result in a host of charges, including hunting without a proper game tag, hunting on private land without permission and wanton waste of a game animal.
Those charges could result in fines and penalties that might “easily add up to $45,000,” Brown said.
The violations could also result in a long-term, or even lifetime loss of the perpetrator or perpetrators’ hunting privileges, he said. Through the Interstate Game Violators Compact, a loss of privileges in one state applies in nearly every other state.
It likely won’t end there. There could be a “myriad” of other charges, such as shooting outside of legal hunting hours and the illegal use of artificial light or night-vision equipment for hunting big game, Brown said.
And after CPW is done with the hunting-related charges, the landowners could also press criminal trespass charges against the defendant or defendants, through the county sheriff’s office, he said.
Four Huge Bulls Shot
Because the case remains under investigation, Brown couldn’t divulge certain details, such as whether CPW is seeking a single suspect, or a suspected poaching ring involving multiple people.
The elk were illegally shot Sept. 13, 26 and 27 near the communities of Stonewall and Picketwire, according to CPW.
Of the four bull elk that were poached, one was shot and abandoned whole; one was wounded and had to be put down; another carcass had the backstraps removed. The fourth had its head removed, but no meat was taken.
Coveted Hunting Area
The area where the bulls were taken was near the Colorado-New Mexico stateline.
Brown said the elk there have excellent habitat and genetics, although the herds aren’t specifically managed for trophy bull hunting.
CPW tries to offer as much hunting opportunity as possible with over-the-counter tags.
However, there is also lots of private land there, where hunting pressure can be limited, and bulls can grow big, Brown said.
That could create some real potential trophies for hunters seeking the biggest and best bulls, he said.
Seeking Public Help
CPW is calling on the public to help solve the case, Brown said.
Information can be provided anonymously through Operation Game Thief at 1-877-265-6648 or by email to game.thief@state.co.us.
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 CPW.
Mark Heinz can be reached at mark@cowboystatedaily.com.
How do you ban poaching?
Jail.time for this
Four elk were shot. One was wounded and got away. The head was taken from one, so that was obviously a "trophy" kill. Some meat was taken from another. Only one was shot, killed, and left to rot.
Was this one person or group? All at roughly the same time? Not known; or, the authorities aren't saying.
Sounds like someone will show up at a taxidermist with a big elk mount which should raise some questions, so we'll probably find out in the end.
In Colorado, a hunter must have a valid hunting license for the species taken and provide the taxidermist with documentation of the legal harvest. Taxidermists are required to keep these records in case of an inspection by Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW).
Sad. I remember many people over my 78 years who shot deer or elk and walked away just to say they shot something.
That is a total waste of food and senseless taking of a life.............
They’re trash.
Probably learned that behavior as a result of upbringing.
Or lack thereof...................
Really angered me and I guided a Fish and Game officer to that spot. He told me that we got lots of hunters from out of state who shot anything that moved and it was likely one of them.
I was very careful not be one of their victims too.
Poaching, like murder, is already banned by law. That doesn’t magically make it not happen, it just gives the State cause to arrest and punish those who do it. A better question might be how does one prevent poaching; the law is evidently not enough of a deterrent.
That ain’t right! That’s some GOOOOD eatin’ right there!
How can do this and not harvest the meat? Such a waste...
The Grizzly population appreciates a freebie now and then.
I’m sure that is true, but to just leave the whole thing out there is a waste. Why shoot it if you aren’t going to harvest a trophy or the meat?
These aren’t hunters, they are idiots.
It would help, if when the cases go to trial, the judges were more sympathetic to the waste and fined the perpetrators with a minimum five figure fine, coupled with at least 30 days in jail.
Poaching cases are tough because it takes a lot of time. Sometimes DNA is necessary.
Depending on the case, a large reward for info would help.
Thieves hang out with thieves. Their sense of loyalty diminishes the larger the reward.
I would assume out of state hunters in this case who hauled the head and meat out of state. Hard to tell.
Following, hopeful for the criminals to be found.
So much waste, for no reason.
Tatt
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