(WWJ) “This is the worst year we’ve had as far as elk poaching."
Lt. Jim Gorno, with the Michigan Department of Natural Resource, says conservation officers in Gaylord are seeking tips from the public regarding three adult cow elk poached in Otsego County – the third elk poaching case in northern Michigan in roughly a month.
Area residents found the trio about 50 yards north of Hardwood Lake Road near Bobcat Trail, in the Pigeon River State Forest, east of Vanderbilt. Officers believe that the three elk were shot either Saturday or Sunday while they were bedded down near each other.
"This is a loss for everyone who appreciates our state’s natural resources. It’s a true shame,” said Gorno. “If you or anyone you know has information that can help us solve this crime, we want to hear from you.”
Area residents found the three elk about 50 yards north of Hardwood Lake Road near Bobcat Trail, in the Pigeon River State Forest, east of Vanderbilt. Officers believe that the elk were shot either Saturday or Sunday, while they were bedded down near each other.
This comes after two previous elk poaching cases in Michigan this year; one of which was solved.
Gorno said that the public tips about a large, 13-point bull elk poached in the Pigeon River State Forest in November helped investigators identify a suspect.
Anyone with information regarding this poaching incident can contact the DNR Customer Service Center in Gaylord at 989-732-3541 or call or text the 24-hour Report All Poaching (RAP) hotline at 800-292-7800. Poaching can also be reported via an online form at THIS LINK. Information can be left anonymously, and cash rewards are available for information that leads to the arrest of violators.
Hunters interested in elk should note that elk licenses are very limited in Michigan, and only available through a drawing. (Learn more at Michigan.gov/Elk.)