Wednesday, October 5, 2005

Bull elk found poached north of Ketchum

Fish and Game offers reward for information

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By MATT FURBER
Express Staff Writer

Idaho Department of Fish and Game Senior Conservation Officer Lee Garwood reported Tuesday that a large bull elk was shot and killed illegally near the Forest Service's Russian John cabin, about 18 miles north of Ketchum.

"Likely sometime this weekend a bull elk was shot and left to waste since it was killed (during) closed season near Russian John near Highway 75," Garwood said. "No meat was salvaged from the animal. Just the antlers were cut off. This sort of thing is just a theft from the legitimate sportsman."

Garwood explained that even with an appropriate hunting license, it is illegal to shoot a game animal while standing on a public roadway or from inside a vehicle. Hunters who do make successful kills are required to clean their animals and salvage all the meat, he added.

"There are 'Citizens Against Poaching' awards that lead to the arrest of persons that poach like this," he said. "You may remain anonymous. We just ask that anyone who might have any knowledge of this incident to call me at home at 788-2824."

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Anyone with information about the incident can also call the Idaho Department of Fish and Game at (208) 324-4359.

The reward for information leading to the arrest of elk poachers is $250.

"It is likely this was a chance encounter as (the bull elk) crossed the highway," Garwood said. "I suspect it was an opportunistic thing."