Idaho Fish and Game officials are mystified why two cow elk were properly partly processed after being killed but then dumped about one mile north of Georgetown in Southeast Idaho.
A sportsman in the area recently discovered and reported the wasted meat to Fish and Game on Oct. 28.
Senior Conservation Officer Raliegh Scott of Fish and Game said the situation is hard to understand.
“The puzzling thing about this case is that the elk were properly taken care of prior to being dumped,” he said. “Each elk was skinned, cut into quarters, and appeared to be, at one time, properly tagged.”
Scott said he discovered fluorescent zip ties still attached to the hindquarters of both elk. That’s a possible indication that big game tags were formerly attached to both animals prior to being discarded.
“This area is known for sportsmen who take great pride in caring for meat so to see waste at this level is troubling,” he said.
Fish and Game is asking anyone with information about these two elk, or vehicles or people seen in the area from Oct. 25 through Oct. 27, to call or text Scott at 207-270-9923.
Those with information can also contact the Citizens Against Poaching hotline at 1-800-632-5999 or go to idfg.idaho.gov/poacher and fill out an online report.
People who provide information may remain anonymous. And those with information leading to an arrest are eligible for rewards, according to Fish and Game.
