Responding to reports on social media and anonymous tips of an alleged poaching incident, Colorado Parks and Wildlife officers Friday discovered three bears – a sow and two cubs – had been killed and dumped on state trust land southeast of Salida.

The CPW investigation led Wildlife Officers to obtain a search warrant on Saturday for a home near Howard where they found evidence the bears had been shot there early September 25.

CPW officers executed a search and arrest warrant and took into custody Paul Stromberg, 52, on assorted wildlife charges including a felony count of illegal destruction of wildlife and several misdemeanors including unlawful killing of wildlife without a license, unlawful possession and waste of game meat.

Stromberg was taken to Fremont County Jail. He was later released on $10,000 bond pending formal charges.

Because this is an ongoing investigation, CPW will have no further comment on this case.

Anyone illegally injuring or killing wildlife could face misdemeanor charges including harassment of wildlife, hunting big game without a license, illegal taking of wildlife and reckless endangerment among other charges.

Convictions could result in fines and surcharges ranging from $750 to $13,000 and up to 6 months in jail, depending on the charge.

Anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to contact CPW at its Salida office at 719-530-5520. 

To provide information anonymously about a wildlife violation, the public can contact Operation Game Thief at 877-265-6648, by dialing #OGT from a Verizon cellphone, or by email at game.thief@state.co.us. 

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