F&G Seeks Information on Elk Poaching Incidents

Though legal elk hunting opportunities are still available in the Upper Snake Region, Idaho Fish and Game conservation officers are seeking help to solve two cases of elk poaching and leaving animals to waste. The first incident involved a bull elk being shot and left to waste on the night of October 25 outside of St. Anthony in unit 60A. The second incident occurred in unit 66 near Swan Valley the night of November 9 when two elk were shot. One elk was taken, the other left to waste. Any information pertaining to either of the incidents would be very helpful to officers working the cases. "The elk was shot alongside the Taylor Well Road east of Hamer," Senior Conservation Officer Lew Huddleston said. "The elk stumbled after 60 yards, having been shot through both lungs." The second incident occurred on private property, about two miles west of Swan Valley near the Papoose Creek drainage in unit 66. "The suspects drove through a closed ranch entrance gate onto private property after legal shooting hours," Senior Conservation Officer Shane Liss said. "Two elk were shot; only one was taken. Both elk were killed in grain stubble field that had been disked under." Evidence at the scene of the Swan Valley incident indicates that several individuals were involved and that an intentional decision was made to leave one animal behind. Because of the time frame involved, the elk could not be salvaged and distributed. Anyone with information concerning these incidents should call the Citizens Against Poaching (CAP) Hotline at 1-800-632-5999. Callers may remain anonymous and could be eligible for a reward.