CO: Reward offered for poachers

November 2, 2010

Reward offered for poachers

Colorado Division of Wildlife investigators are looking for the person who poached a large buck pronghorn antelope and left it to rot on private land near Granby.

In addition, state game officials are seeking whoever shot a bull elk and buck mule deer near Eleven Mile Reservoir in Park County.

According to investigators the pronghorn was killed Oct. 16; the incident was witnessed by a local resident.

"It appears that the large pronghorn was killed for fun and just left there," said Scott Murdoch, district wild life manager for Granby. "This was a disgraceful act. This buck could have been a beginning hunter's first animal or a serious hunter's trophy."

The carcass was found in the Smith Creek Drainage on Legacy Park Ranch.

Officials believe the poacher was with a group that was seen in the area.

Murdoch said that he hopes one of the group will come forward and talk to authorities.

The bull elk was discovered Oct. 23 shot and left in a meadow near Park County Road 100 and 98, south of Lake George. The carcass of the buck mule deer was found nearby Oct. 25.

In both cases the poachers partially field-dressed the animals, but took only the heads and left the carcasses behind.

"This was a senseless and greedy crime," said District Wildlife Manager Ron Zaccagnini.

The Division of Wildlife and Operation Game Thief are offering $1,000 rewards leading to the arrest of the poachers. Anyone with is information is asked to call Operation Game Thief at 1-877-265-6648.

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