Elk NetworkThree Arrested in Suspected Central Colorado Poaching Ring

General , Poaching | October 21, 2022

Below is a news release from Colorado Parks and Wildlife. For 2022, Fiocchi partnered with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation to increase the visibility of poaching incidents in an effort to reduce poaching nationwide.

On Tuesday, in the course of a criminal investigation into poaching in Park County, Colorado, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) executed search warrants at two houses in Colorado Springs and one in Fremont County and made three arrests.

The warrants and arrests were part of an ongoing CPW investigation into a Park County poaching case. A vehicle, firearms and wildlife parts were seized as evidence in relation to the investigation.

David Schlitt, age 64, was arrested on suspicion of felony and misdemeanor charges including willful destruction of elk, failure to prepare game meat for human consumption, hunting without a proper and valid license, along with other related charges.

Robert Schlitt, age 36, was arrested on suspicion of felony and misdemeanor charges including willful destruction of elk and bear, failure to prepare game meat for human consumption, hunting without a proper and valid license, along with other related charges.

Richard Schlitt, age 33, was arrested on suspicion of felony and misdemeanor charges including willful destruction of elk and bear and failure to prepare game meat for human consumption.

“When you poach an animal, not only is it illegal, but you are stealing from the people of Colorado,” said Mark Lamb, CPW’s area wildlife manager for Park County. “We do not tolerate poaching and take these crimes very seriously.”

CPW wildlife officers, park rangers and the Colorado Springs Police Department participated in the searches.

“I would like to thank CSPD for their support and assistance in this investigation,” said Tim Kroening, CPW’s area wildlife manager for the Pikes Peak region.

The case remains under active investigation and CPW will make no further comment at this time.

(Photo credit: Colorado Parks and Wildlife)