Reward offered in poaching incidents

COEUR d'ALENE - The Humane Society of the United States is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction in two cow elk poaching cases in Idaho.

In the first case, a cow elk was shot and left on private land between Moscow and Troy. According to the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, evidence at the scene suggests the elk was dragged a short distance and then abandoned.

"Someone has information regarding this elk and I would be very interested in talking with them to help solve this crime," said Tony Imthurn, senior conservation officer. "The wasting of this elk was due to deliberate actions taken by the person involved."

The second case, which occurred near Orofino and Weippe, involved the poaching of four cow elk.

Two of the elk were found on Oct. 12 and, according to a Humane Society press release, were shot and "completely wasted."

On Oct. 14, two more elk were poached with one being found in Miles Creek near Weippe. Witnesses saw the other killed and taken away by the perpetrator.

"While parts of two elk were taken, most of the meat, including the entire animal in two other incidents, was left to rot," said John McLain, Orofino area conservation officer. "This is an alarming number of cow elk taken unlawfully in such a short period of time and in such a small area. Idaho's wildlife belongs to all of us. Every animal killed illegally is an animal that is stolen from the citizens of Idaho."

Anyone with information regarding either of these poaching cases is encouraged to contact Idaho Citizens Against Poaching at 1-800-632-5999.