Poaching continues to be a major issue in Colorado. Studies indicate that poachers kill almost as many animals as legitimate hunters do during legal seasons.
 If poachers kill even half that number each year, the problem is serious because they are stealing game from licensed sportsmen, robbing businesses and taxpayers of revenues generated by hunting and depriving us all of a valuable resource - our wildlife. And it's not just game animals that poachers steal, but also threatened, endangered and non-game species.
Rob Firth, chief of law enforcement for the Colorado Division of Wildlife (DOW), says most poachers are not poor people trying to feed their families. Some kill for the thrill of killing, others for trophies. Some kill for money - trophy heads, antlers and bear gall bladders can be worth thousands of dollars.
Poaching is the illegal taking or possession of any game, fish or non-game wildlife. Hunting out of season or out of the district for which you have a valid license, hunting at night with a spotlight or taking more than the legal limit all constitute poaching. A non-resident who buys a resident license can also be convicted for poaching.
Flock shooting big game is tantamount to poaching since it usually leaves multiple dead and wounded animals.
"Hunters who keep shooting into a herd of animals should realize that not every animal goes down right away when it is hit," said Firth. "Not only is it unethical hunting, it leads to a lot of game waste, which in itself is illegal."
Hunters who witness such violations should report them to wildlife officers or call Operation Game Thief, a DOW program that pays rewards to people whose tips lead to a conviction. The number to call is 1-877-265-6648, which also is printed on carcass tags. Tipsters can also contact the Division of Wildlife via e-mail at game.thief@state.co.us.
Rewards are paid for information which leads to an arrest or a citation being issued - $250 in cases involving big game or endangered species and $100 for information on other wildlife violations, although awards of up to $1,000 may be given in significant poaching cases.
"The DOW depends on concerned citizens to report poaching activity. We need the public's eyes and ears to help catch outlaws," Firth said.
Since 1981, Operation Game Thief has received more than 2,400 reports of poaching, resulting in more than 700 convictions. These convictions netted over $600,000 in fines, the seizure of more than 1,300 illegally taken animals and the payment of almost $130,000 in rewards. |