A poacher from Denver has been fined more than $11,000 after a tip led to his arrest for killing a trophy-quality bull elk in northwest Colorado last year.
Denver resident Agapito Alarid II, 42, admitted that he illegally shot the 6x6 bull in Game Management Unit 2, a highly coveted unit where it can take a hunter 20 years to draw a license, Colorado Parks and Wildlife said. Alarid didn’t have a hunting license for the unit, and bull elk were not in season in the unit.
In Moffat County Court on Monday, Alarid pleaded guilty to illegally possessing the elk. Although the typical fine is $1,000, he was received and additional fine of $10,000 under Colorado’s “Samson Law” because he poached an elk with at least 6 points on one antler beam. Pending a Parks and Wildlife review, he could be barred from hunting and fishing in Colorado and 43 other states for up to five years.
“Ethical hunters wait patiently for years just to qualify for the chance to hunt in a unit like this,” said assistant wildlife manager Mike Swaro, of Craig. “We are very grateful the person who witnessed this gave us the information we needed to convict this individual.”
Under Parks and Wildlife’s poachers program, the hunter who reported Alarid has earned a chance to draw a license in the same game management unit.
“Most poachers commit their crimes because they believe they can get away with it,” Swaro said. “But anyone that breaks the law should know that CPW officers get tips from concerned citizens every day, which is a great help. Even the most insignificant detail may be the information we need for a conviction, so please help us out and let us know if you think someone has committed a wildlife crime.”
Under Colorado’s TIP program, people who report big game or turkey poachers may be eligible for preference points or a license. Another program, Operation Game Thief, offers a monetary reward to people who provide information about wildlife crimes if the information leads to an arrest or citation.
To report a wildlife crime, call 877-265-6648, dial #OGT from a Verizon phone, or send an email to game.thief@state.co.us. Specify whether you are interested in OGT or TIP. Unlike OGT, a person providing information must be willing to testify in court under the TIP program.