![Carson City Weather Carson City Weather](https://carsonnow.org/sites/www.carsonnow.org/files/weather.jpg)
Nevada wildlife wardens say six elk illegally shot and left to rot
State wildlife officials want to find out who is responsible for illegally shooting six elk and leaving their carcasses to rot in two separate incidents in Lincoln County. Game wardens with the Nevada Department of Wildlife are seeking the public’s help to solve the illegal killing of four adult and two elk calves.
One group of elk was found on the west side of Mount Grafton and another group was discovered near Patterson Pass. Although the two different incidents were discovered near one another, game wardens do not think the cases are related.
“This level of senseless wildlife crime is unacceptable,” said Tyler Turnipseed, Chief Game Warden at NDOW. “People wait years for the opportunity to hunt and harvest an elk, and it is unconscionable that some thoughtless person would shoot so many of these animals and leave them to rot.”
The incident at Patterson Pass involved two cows and one calf. The Patterson crime scene was found on October, 5. The Mount Grafton crime scene was detected a few days later. This case also had two cows and one calf poached, with almost all of the meat left to rot.
Illegally killing a big game animal is a felony in Nevada with fines ranging from $250 to $30,000 and can also include one to four years in prison and additional civil penalties. Leaving the animals to waste is a separate crime on top of the killing, punishable by up to a year in jail and $500 fine.
“There were many people hunting in this area, so we think someone may have seen something that might help us catch these criminals,” said Turnipseed. “We depend on sportsmen to help us solve these kinds of crimes because we can’t be everywhere at all times. This kind of egregious act should prompt outrage from the hunting community.”
Contact the Reno Headquarters, (775) 688-1500. The Nevada Department of Wildlife protects, restores and manages fish and wildlife, and promotes fishing, hunting, and boating safety. NDOW’s wildlife and habitat conservation efforts are primarily funded by sportsmen’s license and conservation fees and a federal surcharge on hunting and fishing gear. Support wildlife and habitat conservation in Nevada by purchasing a hunting, fishing, or combination license.