Colorado wildlife has once again fallen victim to wretched poachers.

The carcass of an elk was discovered this week on Colorado Highway 14 about three miles east of Rustic in Poudre Canyon.

The elk had been shot, the head removed, and the carcass left on the road. The poaching apparently took place between Sunday night and Monday morning.

Although it is elk season, it's illegal to hunt at night, and it is a felony to kill and abandon big game and to remove part of it and leave the body in the field.

Anyone who might have information about this poaching incident should contact Colorado's Operation Game Thief at 877-265-6648. A $500 reward is offered for information leading to an arrest in big game cases.

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