Saturday, December 01, 2018

Cirrus SR22 or Piper Cherokee: Aircraft used to harass elk in northwest Colorado; Rewards are available if the information leads to an arrest or citation

Wildlife officers say using an aircraft to harass wildlife or as an aid in hunting violates state and federal laws.



Colorado Parks and Wildlife officials are seeking information about a small aircraft that allegedly harassed a herd of elk near Craig.

Witnesses told wildlife officer Evan Jones that they saw a small, single-engine aircraft fly two low passes over a herd of elk on November 16th near Moffat County Road 18, causing the elk to scatter.

Using an aircraft to harass wildlife or as an aid in hunting violates Colorado's wildlife laws and federal regulations, said parks and wildlife spokesman Mike Porras.

Witnesses described the aircraft as a single-engine with a low-wing design, either white or yellow, and may have been a Cirrus SR22 or a Piper Cherokee.

"We don't know what the pilot was intending, if they were scouting for someone on the ground, but that's certainly something we would like to talk to the pilot about," Porras said.

In a statement, Jones said that the agency takes self-reporting into account when assessing penalties.

"The pilot still has the opportunity to do the right thing and contact us as soon as possible," Jones said.

Jones can be contacted at 970-878-6090 or information can be submitted anonymously through Operation Game Thief at 877-265-6648.

Original article ➤ https://www.oneidadispatch.com




CRAIG — Colorado Parks and Wildlife officers are looking for a pilot who flew an airplane low over a large herd of elk north of Craig.

CPW said in a release that several witnesses reported seeing a small, single-engine aircraft make two low passes over the elk on the afternoon of November 16. The maneuvers disturbed the elk and caused them to scatter. The aircraft is believed to have been a white or yellow Cirrus SR22 or Piper Cherokee.

Wildlife officers say using an aircraft to harass wildlife or as an aid in hunting is illegal.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call Wildlife Officer Evan Jones at 970-878-6090. 

If you want to remain anonymous, you can call Operation Game Thief at 877-265-6648. 

Rewards are available if the information leads to an arrest or citation.

Original article can be found here ➤ https://www.9news.com

7 comments:

  1. You are subject to arrest for "Elk Harassment"?

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  2. Possibly, 500 feet above any person, vessel, vehicle or structure.

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  3. Hummm... I'm wondering if Super Dell Schanze got a plane ... I know he "kicked some owl butt" in the paramotor.... He knows the Feds well.

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  4. Colorado does have the law on the books, but do the Elk have to testify or file a complaint?

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  5. Davey,
    Yes it is illegal to use any aircraft in most states to aid in hunting game animals . In Alaska in fact , if a hunter flys into a remote camp , he is not legal to hunt that day .

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  6. I admit once murdering a rather large red-juiced bug on the windshield at 6500 feet AGL over Farmville VA.

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