And here we thought wolves were the problem.
Three elk were illegally shot and killed north of Whitehall last week and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Game authorities are seeking information to help catch these poachers.
The elk – a cow, a spike bull and a bull calf – were found late last week in the Hay Canyon area Ratio Mountain north of Whitehall, according to Game Warden Justin Gibson. He reports that the animals were shot and left to rot, and no attempt was made to retrieve the carcasses.
The bodies were found close to one another about 50 yards from a road. Investigators don’t believe these are cases of hunters shooting and losing track of a wounded animal.
"This is just another senseless slaughter of our wildlife. I now know of at least ten elk that have been killed and purposely left to waste this year in my district alone,” Gibson said in a news release issued Friday morning. “Any outdoor enthusiast should be outraged hearing of cases like this.”
In another poaching incident reported in the Montana Standard earlier this week, investigators found a dead bull elk on the morning of Oct. 31 in the area of Olson Gulch near the Lowland Campground in Jefferson County, about 15 miles north of Butte. The animal had been shot and left to rot. Only the elk’s antlers were cut off separately just below the buttons near the animal’s skull.
Anyone with information pertaining to this case, or other cases in which fish and wildlife resources are being stolen from Montanans, is urged to call (800) TIP-MONT (or (800) 847-6668), and may be eligible for a reward. Individuals may also contact Warden Gibson at (406) 439-4017.
Three elk were illegally shot and killed north of Whitehall last week and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Game authorities are seeking information to help catch these poachers.
The elk – a cow, a spike bull and a bull calf – were found late last week in the Hay Canyon area Ratio Mountain north of Whitehall, according to Game Warden Justin Gibson. He reports that the animals were shot and left to rot, and no attempt was made to retrieve the carcasses.
The bodies were found close to one another about 50 yards from a road. Investigators don’t believe these are cases of hunters shooting and losing track of a wounded animal.
"This is just another senseless slaughter of our wildlife. I now know of at least ten elk that have been killed and purposely left to waste this year in my district alone,” Gibson said in a news release issued Friday morning. “Any outdoor enthusiast should be outraged hearing of cases like this.”
In another poaching incident reported in the Montana Standard earlier this week, investigators found a dead bull elk on the morning of Oct. 31 in the area of Olson Gulch near the Lowland Campground in Jefferson County, about 15 miles north of Butte. The animal had been shot and left to rot. Only the elk’s antlers were cut off separately just below the buttons near the animal’s skull.
Anyone with information pertaining to this case, or other cases in which fish and wildlife resources are being stolen from Montanans, is urged to call (800) TIP-MONT (or (800) 847-6668), and may be eligible for a reward. Individuals may also contact Warden Gibson at (406) 439-4017.
