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Poacher sentenced for illegal take of bull in Craig

Sky-Hi News Staff Report

Information provided by a concerned hunter led to a conviction and over $11,000 in fines imposed on a Front Range poacher for the illegal take of a trophy-quality 6×6 bull elk in November, 2015.

When confronted by a CPW officer, Denver resident Agapito Alarid II, 42, admitted that he illegally shot the bull in Game Management Unit 2, an highly coveted unit in Northwest Colorado where it can take a hunter over 20 years to draw a license. Alarid did not have a license to hunt in the unit and a bull elk season was not open in the unit at the time he shot the animal.

In Moffat County Court on Monday, Alarid agreed to plead guilty to illegal possession of the elk. The typical fine for the charge is $1,000; however, under the provisions of Colorado’s ‘Samson Law,’ Alarid received an additional $10,000 penalty because he poached an elk with at least six points on one antler beam. Pending a review by a CPW Hearings Officer, he could lose his privilege to hunt and fish in Colorado and 43 other Wildlife Violator Compact 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 Area Wildlife Manager Mike Swaro of Craig.

“Those that violate the law and take away an opportunity from conscientious hunters are a serious problem. We are very grateful the person who witnessed this gave us the information we needed to convict this individual.”



Under CPW’s ‘Turn In Poachers’ program, the hunter that reported Alarid has earned a chance to draw a license in the same game management unit where Alarid poached the elk.

Swaro says the public’s assistance helps solve many wildlife crimes, as it did in this case.

“Most poachers commit their crimes because they believe they can get away with it,” he 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.”


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