Colorado wildlife officials are investigating the beheading of a big horn sheep carcass southwest of Kremmling.
The headless carcass was found Jan. 18 near Inspiration Point, along the Trough Road, according to a Colorado Parks and Wildlife media release.
Wildlife officers believe the animal died the previous weekend and the ram’s head was removed and taken from the scene.
Investigators have recovered evidence and will continue looking for additional clues. The CPW is also seeking tips from the public on who is in possession of the ram’s head.
It’s legal in Colorado to harvest meat from most road-killed wildlife if reported to CPW within 48 hours. The public can’t keep bighorn sheep or mountain goat horns, trophy-quality antlers from deer, elk, or moose, or hides and skulls from mountain lion or bears, the release said.
“We are working to fill in the gaps in the information we have and will continue to investigate the incident,” said CPW District Wildlife Manager Rachel Sralla in the release. “We just want to know what happened and ask anyone that has details to contact us right away.”
When people come across road kill or dead wildlife and hope to harvest it they should contact CPW officials to help “avoid potential legal” entanglements.
If wildlife officers determine that the ram’s head was taken illegally, Operation Game Thief has allotted a $1000 reward for information leading to a citation or an arrest.
Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call Sralla at 970-531-2445; or contact CPW’s Hot Sulphur Springs office at 970 725-6200. Anonymous tipsters can call Operation Game Thief at 1 877 265-6648.
Kieran Nicholson: 303-954-1822, knicholson@denverpost.com or @kierannicholson
