Colorado Parks and Wildlife Investigators this week announced they are seeking information regarding two deer poaching cases.
The first incident occurred in a field west of Akron, where the carcasses of four deer were found, the agency reported in a news release.
The field is located about one and a half miles south of U.S. Highway 34 on Washington County Road U.
At least two of the carcasses had trophy parts removed but meat was left to waste. It is a crime in Colorado to harvest a big game animal and not prepare the meat for human consumption, according to the release.
“Any information can be helpful, even if it seems insignificant or trivial,” said Devon Lane, District Wildlife Manager for the Akron area, on the release.
Officers believe that the carcasses were dumped between Nov. 10 and Nov. 17. The last plains rifle deer season ended on Tuesday, Nov. 6, the release stated
Evidence at the scene suggests the deer had been shot with a rifle. The carcasses also were skinned and may have been hung for processing at another location, according to the release.
Anyone with information can contact the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Office in Brush at 970-842-6300.
The second incident occurred Monday near Westcliffe.
Fishermen at DeWeese Reservoir reported hearing shots around 11 a.m. Wildlife officer Justin Krall responded and found evidence that a deer had been field dressed a few feet off County Road 241 on the DeWeese State Wildlife Area, CPW reported in a separate release.
Krall hopes someone may have heard or seen something that may shed light on the incident. Anyone with information can call Krall at 719-371-2240.
Anyone with information about either case also can contact Operation Game Thief at 877-265-6648 (877-COLO-OGT), or e-mail tips to game.thief@state.co.us. Verizon cell phone users can dial #OGT.
There is a $500 reward if a tip results in a citation for either case.
Because wildlife crimes often occur in remote areas, tips from the public are one of the most important tools in solving poaching. Colorado Parks and Wildlife urges people to call their local wildlife office whenever they have information about illegal hunting or fishing activities.
Callers may remain anonymous if they wish.