TWO ELK POACHED LAST WEEK IN IDAHO – Two elk were illegally harvested this last week in Idaho. One 6×6 trophy bull was taken on October 11, 2019, near Harpster, Idaho. The other spike bull was taken near Deary, Idaho, on October 18th. While the trophy bull was taken away in the middle of the night by the poachers for processing, the spike bull was left for waste. The young spike bull was left gutted, partially skinned, and with all the meat still intact before dumping it on the side of the road.
Poaching can ruin hunting for other law-abiding hunters. One example is the 6×6 trophy bull, as it was taken from private property. Hunting public land is more often available during the season, but convincing a landowner to let people hunt their land can take time. Landowners have to be able to trust all hunters to use their land appropriately when hunting. Poaching should never be the option when hunters want to harvest a bull elk to put meat in their freezer. Either wait for the elk to leave the private land or hunt somewhere else on public land.
Many times, hunters have to cross private land to access the public land on the other side. It is always recommended to ask permission before crossing the private land because not doing so can get you a hefty trespass fine. Idaho’s Department of Fish and Game has developed a program called “Access Yes!”, which partners up with private landowners. Access Yes! allows access to some private land and access to public land through private land. With almost 1 million acres available to hunters and anglers, there’s no reason to illegally cross land or poach animals situated on private land.
If you or anyone you know does know something about either bull poached, please contact the Citizens Against Poaching (CAP) hotline at 1-800-532-5999. IDFG senior conservation officer, Jim Roll, is assigned to the 6×6 trophy bull and can be reached at (208) 983-8843. IDFG senior conservation officer, Brian Perkes, is assigned to the spike bull and can be reached at (208) 959-1605.
Want to see how common poaching has become in other states? Check out our recent article on how 102 big game animals were poached in Utah since August 1st!
Let us know if you have ever had an experience with animals being poached in the comments below!
