Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) investigators are looking for two people who may be involved in the poaching of a bull elk within city limits of the small town of Dinosaur in the northwest part of the state. Authorities believe someone shot the bull on November 6 (2019) and later removed its head and antlers.
One of the vehicles believed involved is a white 1980s model Chevrolet pickup with Utah plates. The other is a newer silver Chevrolet pickup but mud obscured its license plate.
“It appears that the only thing these individuals wanted was the elk’s antlers, which were unusual and distinct. This was a 6 x 5 bull elk, so it is considered a high-quality animal, and they left the meat to waste, meat that could have fed a family for up to a year,” said CPW Officer Garrett Smith. “We’ve got good vehicle descriptions and extensive evidence recovered from the scene so I don’t think it will be long before we find the people responsible, one way or another. Individuals that commit wildlife crimes like this face very stiff penalties if we have to track them down. Self-reporting is always the better option, and there is still time to do the right thing in this case.”
The incident took place in Game Management Unit 10, considered a high-quality hunting unit.
If you have any information, call 877-265-6648.
(Photo source: Tamara Long/Colorado Parks and Wildlife)