TROUT CREEK – A calf elk and gut piles were discovered near Old Highway 200 in Trout Creek last week.

Following an investigation by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Game Warden for Sanders County Troy Hinck, the incident was deemed not to have been an occurrence of poaching, but rather a failed attempt to salvage meat after the elk was killed by a collision with a motor vehicle.

According to Hinck, the trouble was not that the animal or animals had been salvaged; the issue was that the carcasses had been improperly dumped and the party, which had salvaged the meat, had not properly complied with FWP regulations.   

The game warden said from information available at the scene it looked as if an attempt had been made to salvage the calf’s meat, but the meat had been deemed unsuitable for harvesting, by whatever party was involved with the incident.

Hinck stated if someone recovers animal meat they need to go on the FWP website and fill out a salvage permit, which helps to tell wildlife officials what animal was killed and where the incident occurred.

Hinck added there was nothing wrong with salvaging meat if it is done correctly and stressed it was important to not waste resources dedicated towards preventing poaching throughout northwest Montana.

“I am not here to get guys who are trying to do something right. I don’t want to waste my time investigating something that wasn’t poaching,” Hinck said.