Wildlife officials in several states and Canada are seeking information to assist in elk poaching investigations.
Arizona
The Arizona Game and Fish Department is investigating the poaching of a bull elk which occurred the evening of Dec. 3 located north of Route 66 off Rain Valley Road on the east side of Flagstaff near Picture Canyon. The elk was shot and left to waste in Game Management Unit 11M, where no elk season was going on at the time. Investigating officers believe the elk was shot from a vehicle on Rain Valley Road. Call 800-352-0700 with information.
British Columbia
Conservation officers are seeking the perpetrator who shot, killed and left a bull elk to waste (see photo above) on November 25 north of Wormy Lake along the Sunshine Coast in southern British Columbia. They believe the suspect used a spotlight or headlines during the night. Call 1-877-952-7277 with info.
Nevada
Wardens are investigating the killing of a bull elk left to waste in the Delano Range north of Montello in northeast Nevada. They believe the same party shot and removed an additional bull just a few feet away from the poached elk. It happened between November 17 and November 19. Call 800-992-3030 with information.
Oregon
A judge in Oregon sentenced three residents of Elgin who pleaded guilty in a high-profile poaching case of two bull elk in the northeast part of the state. Nathan Couch, who fled to Nevada, will serve a two-month jail sentence, lose his license for eight years, pay $17,000 in fines and then serve three years on probation. Investigators also determined Couch illegally shot another bull elk a few years earlier. Dylan Crouch and Brianna Black will serve five days in jail, lose their hunting privileges until 2020 and then serve three years on probation. The three illegally spotlighted and shot the two animals before sunrise.
(Photo source: Conservation Officer Service)