Wildlife officials on hunt for Falcon poacher

Wildlife officials say a poacher dumped the partial carcasses of three pronghorn antelope into a construction Dumpster near Torreys Peak Way in Falcon earlier this week.

In a Saturday news release, Colorado Parks and Wildlife officials said the discovery was made Oct. 9.

Parks and Wildlife spokesman Michael Seraphin said the carcasses were dumped with construction waste at a lot where a new home was being built north of the Antler Creek Golf Course.

“Portions of the animals were missing, but large amounts of meat were wasted,” officials said.

Seraphin said the poacher took horns from one antelope and meat from another.

He didn’t know what type of weapon was used to kill the animals nor other details of the case.

Poaching is a hard crime to pin down, because the illegal hunters operate in rural areas and generally cover their tracks.

“There’s no way of knowing how much poaching goes on,” Seraphin said. “But when we get something like this, and it’s three animals, we try to get it (information about the crime) out there.”

Wildlife agents are hoping tipsters can lead them to the poacher

“Anyone who saw any suspicious activity or has information should call Parks and Wildlife Officer Steve Cooley at 719-227-5284 or call a toll-free poaching tip line 1-877-265-6648,” officials said. “Verizon cell phone users can dial #OGT, or tips can be e-mailed to game.thief@state.co.us.”

Wildlife agents said information leading to the poacher can result in cash rewards or other perks, including free hunting licenses.