Several more elk poached in southwest Wyo.

Sheila McGuire, Herald Reporter
Posted 10/31/17

Large game poached near Evanston

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Several more elk poached in southwest Wyo.

Posted

EVANSTON — The Wyoming Game and Fish Department is asking for the public’s assistance in several more poaching incidents in southwest Wyoming. 

According to a WGFD press release, two cow elk were shot and wasted Oct. 24-25, in Elk Hunt Area 100. The elk were discovered on Oct. 25, about a mile and a half northwest of Interstate 80 exit 136 along Black Butte Road.

Rock Springs Game Warden Andy Roosa said, “Both elk carcasses were less than 100 yards from the road. … Blood trails indicate the elk were very near, or even on the roadway, when they were shot…” 

Another case of elk over-limit and intentional waste has occurred in Elk Hunt Area 105. Two elk were killed on the west wide of Windy Point, in the Bridger Basin, probably on Oct. 21. One elk was taken and the other was left to waste.

According to the WGFD press release, game warden Neil Hymas said, “This appears to be intentional waste of one of the two elk, as the suspect drove up to both elk, but only took one and left the second elk to waste.” 

A large bull elk was also poached south of Rock Springs on Sage Creek. Lucy Diggins-Wold, Green River information and education specialist with WGFD, said, “Whether the elk poached is a cow or bull should not matter; however, anyone would be thrilled at the chance to harvest a bull elk of this quality and it was left to waste.” 

 Additionally, a cow and a branched antler bull elk were shot in Elk Hunt Area 104 northeast of Cokeville. The incident occurred on the evening of Oct. 25, one day after the antlered elk season closed in the area.

According to a WGFD press release, “A witness described two male suspects in a white pickup truck, possibly a Ford, with a four-wheeler in the back, loading the cow elk into the truck after dark at around 8 p.m. on Wednesday night.”

The bull elk that was shot and wasted was “[lying] in plain sight within 10 yards of the cow elk gut pile and was not salvaged or reported. It was apparent that the bull was intentionally abandoned and allowed to go to waste.” 

The number of elk confirmed shot and left to waste in the region is now at 11. 

Anyone with information on these or any other wildlife violations can call the Stop Poaching Hotline at 1-877-WGFD-TIP (1-877-943-3847). Tips can also be made online at wgfd.wyo.gov or by text message to TIP411 (847-411) using keyword WGFD. Callers can remain anonymous and cash rewards are provided to those who provide information leadings to arrest and conviction of poachers.