Colorado Parks and Wildlife officials are offering $1,000 for information on the slaying of two goats on a popular 14er.
Two male mountain goats, estimated at 1 to 2 years old, were “shot in the head with a pistol at close range” last week, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW).
The killing qualifies as illegal poaching under state law and carries a penalty in excess of $20,000 per animal. According to a CPW news release, poachers shot the goats about 2.8 miles up the Quandary Peak Trail around 3:30 p.m. on July 3.
$1,000 Reward for Poachers
Quandary Peak is one of the most popular 14ers in Colorado. It sees hundreds of summit hikers on average summer days. And many hikers look forward to encountering mountain goats among the spectacular vistas.
“We ask that anyone who was near the summit of Quandary Peak Tuesday help us locate those responsible for this egregious poaching,” said Tom Davies, district wildlife manager with CPW. “Killing a mountain goat in this manner is a felony, and these poachers can face jail time, license suspensions, and fines.”
Following the discovery, CPW officials posted a $1,000 bounty for information on the poachers. Davies said Quandary Peak is a popular 14er that sees especially heavy hiker traffic around the Fourth of July holiday.
As a result, CPW hopes anyone with information will contact Operation Game Thief by calling 1-877-COLO-OGT (877-265-6648) or emailing game.thief@state.co.us.
