Overview
- Colorado Parks and Wildlife opened a criminal investigation after a Rocky Mountain bighorn ram was found poached on Nov. 11 off County Road 38FF in the Cabin Draw/Middle Creek area of GMU 681, about 200 yards from the road.
- District wildlife managers, aided by a CPW K-9, concluded the animal was shot that same day in the immediate area.
- The ram was shot in the abdomen and left to rot, which prevented any salvage or donation of meat.
- CPW notes only one ram license exists for units S-10 and S-55, the licensed hunter already filled the tag this year, and the season closed Oct. 2, indicating the kill was unlawful.
- Tips can be reported to District Wildlife Manager William Miedema or anonymously to Operation Game Thief, with a possible reward up to $1,000; the ram’s half-curl horns could trigger an additional $25,000 fine.