Moose Possibly Being Poached, Tipster Reports Finding Head In Leadville City Limits
LEADVILLE, Colo. (CBS4) - Wildlife managers are in the middle of an investigation into the possibility someone killed three moose near Leadville.
On Oct. 23, Colorado Parks and Wildlife District Wildlife Manager Joshua Jiron received a call passed through from Operation Game Thief stating that hikers found the remains of a cow moose along County Road 6, within Leadville city limits.
"Some body parts I found were down here on these rocks, some blood but with the snow it has disappeared," said Jiron as he showed the area to CBS4's Matt Kroschel.
Jiron told CBS4 he has found bones and hide in the reported area, but no carcass. However, other residents and sources have issued similar reports of a bull, a cow and a calf being poached. Another tipster reported spotting a moose head also inside city limits.
"I was surprised in the fact that someone would have the gall to kill a moose in Leadville because everyone knows we have them," said Jiron.
There is no current moose hunting season underway in the game management unit.
"Poaching is a heinous crime that robs all of Colorado's hunting, outdoors and wildlife enthusiasts from the state's amazing natural resources," Jiron said. "People are hearing something from somebody so someone knows. We need the public to come forward with that information."
Additional Information From Colorado Parks And Wildlife
Anyone with information on this, or any moose poaching incident, is are asked to contact DWM Jiron at (719) 539¬8415.
Operation Game Thief is a Wildlife Crime Stoppers Organization and is sponsored by the Colorado Parks and Wildlife, which pays rewards up to $1,000 to citizens who turn in poachers. Callers can remain anonymous and never have to testify in court.
LINK: Find more information on the Operation Game Thief program
To report a possible poaching incident through OGT, call 1 (877) 265- 6648.
Matt Kroschel covers news throughout Colorado working from the CBS4 Mountain Newsroom. Send story ideas to mrkroschel@cbs.com and connect with him on Twitter @Matt_Kroschel.
