Two elk—one a bull, the other a cow–were believed to have been shot from a vehicle on a freeway near Glendale, Oregon, and law enforcement has posted a $1,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest or citation.
Numerous drivers on Interstate 5 contacted authorities on the morning of Oct. 26 to report seeing elk carcasses within 100 yards of I-5, according to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.
When troopers arrived at the scene, they discovered the bull was left entirely to waste while poachers processed and removed meat from the cow, which would have taken considerable time by lantern or flashlight. Troopers managed to salvage the meat from the bull and donate it to charity.
“There is no excuse for this disgusting behavior,” said Brian Wolfer, ODFW Wildlife Division Deputy Administrator. “For many people it is a thrill just to see an elk and these people not only poached two elk but wasted one. It is also illegal and dangerous to shoot from a public road, let alone a highway. I hope someone out there can help bring them to justice.”
Law enforcement officials are looking for a person seen earlier in the day on Oct. 25 driving a silver-colored midsized pickup truck slowly in the southbound land and the person of interest had a rifle.
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“It is believed the subject(s) used a flashlight in the field between 7:00 p.m. October 25 and 7:00 a.m. October 26,” the Oregon State Police stated.
The elk were part of a herd of about 80, according to Central Oregon Daily News.
“When people poach, they steal natural resources from all of us,” said Yvonne Shaw, Stop Poaching Campaign coordinator for ODFW. “Oregonians value our wildlife, both for viewing and for legal hunting.”
Photos courtesy of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and Oregon State Police.
