Summit County Citizens Voice

Information sought in suspected elk poaching near Copper Mountain, at Stafford Creek.

State wildlife officers want info on elk that was killed and left to rot

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — Wildlife officers are seeking information that can help identify the person or persons who illegally killed a bull elk and abandoned its carcass near Stafford Creek, approximately one mile from I-70 in the vicinity of Copper Mountain.

The elk was probably killed in early September and the suspected poachers removed only the head, antlers and a few portions of the hide, abandoning the meat.

“Shooting big-game and leaving the meat to rot is a senseless waste of Colorado’s wildlife resources,” said Breckenridge District Wildlife Manager Sean Shepherd. “This is essentially stealing from the people of Colorado, and whoever did this could face felony charges. We would appreciate any help in finding who did this.”

Wildlife investigators are asking any member of the public who might have information concerning this incident to contact CPW’s Operation Game Thief. The poaching hotline is offering a $500 reward for information that leads to an arrest in this case, and callers can remain anonymous by calling toll free, 1-877-265-6648. More info is online at Operation Game Thief.

Filed under: Colorado, Colorado Division of Wildlife, Environment, Summit County news, wildlife Tagged: | Colorado parks and wildlife, Colorado wildlife, elk, elk poaching, poaching, Stafford Creek