Game wardens from the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) are seeking assistance from the public to solve two elk poaching cases near the Nevada-Utah border.
The first case involves a bull elk shot and killed in Lincoln County over Labor Day weekend. The animal was found with its head removed near Uvada, close to the Utah border along railroad tracks in Hunt Unit 242. It is believed the elk was shot on August 30 using a spotlight, possibly by someone residing in Utah. Although no open elk hunts were ongoing in that area, an archery bull elk hunt was active nearby in Utah. This region has been problematic during past Utah hunts.
In the second incident, another bull elk was shot and left between December 5 and December 6 near Reed Cabin Summit in Unit 231, Lincoln County, also close to the Utah border. Investigators believe this wasn’t a wounding loss as injuries suggest it died where it was shot. Its antlers were likely removed between December 6 and December 7.
The killing occurred after the closure of the Resident Antlered Elk Hunt and at the start of both Resident Antlerless Elk Hunt and rifle cow elk hunt for Indian Peaks unit in Utah.
“These crimes should upset everyone. It’s a waste of Nevada’s wildlife,” said John Anderson, Game Warden Lieutenant for NDOW. “Let’s be very clear, these were not legitimate hunters. In both cases these people blatantly stole a mature bull elk from the people of Nevada and then left it to waste.”
Anderson further explained that illegally killing big game without a valid tag is classified as a Class E felony. He noted that leads are scarce and public assistance is crucial for apprehending those responsible.
Wardens hope individuals may have witnessed something helpful for solving these cases. “Our hope is that someone will come forward with information that will help us solve this crime,” Anderson stated.
Wildlife crimes can be reported via OGT hotline at (800) 992-3030 or through NDOW Tip app, which allows anonymous tips submission including photos or videos to NDOW via text messaging. The app is available free on Google Play Store or iTunes App Store.
