Wisconsin Officials Need Help After Illegal Killing Of Bull Elk

A story broke this week in Wisconsin that is bound to rally the hunting community and all outdoor enthusiasts to help the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

Wisconsin has worked hard over the years to grow the state's elk population. According to the DNR, elk were eliminated from Wisconsin in the 1880s due to unregulated hunting and habitat loss.

However, after many years of effort, they once again live in Wisconsin's central and northern forest regions. From a population of 25 elk reintroduced in 1995, and with the help of the second reintroduction effort that started in 2015, the state's total elk population has now surpassed 400 animals.

However, a troubling discovery was recently made involving one of the primary breeding bulls for the Central Elk Herd, and now the Wisconsin DNR needs the public's help.

Illegal Killing Of Collared Bull Elk Prompts Action From The Wisconsin DNR

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has officially requested the public’s help to gather information on the illegal killing of a bull elk in Jackson County.

DNR staff received and responded to a report of a dead elk on the morning of Tuesday, March 18. The elk was located off East Snow Creek Road and on private property north of Black River Falls, where department staff were conducting elk capture efforts to radio-collar and relocate a small group of elk.

The bull, known as #244, was wearing a GPS radio collar, which, along with nearby cellular trail cameras, has provided investigators with detailed information related to the illegal shooting.

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A necropsy was performed to investigate the cause of death, and it was determined that the bull had died from injuries sustained from a gunshot wound.

The DNR notes that this bull was one of the last remaining elk originally brought from Kentucky in 2016 and has served as one of the primary breeding bulls for the Central Elk Herd.

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Christina Kizewski, central elk herd biologist, said, "Bull 244 was one of the largest and most photographed bulls in the state and has contributed to the successful growth of the newly established herd through his breeding efforts."

Kizewski added that the illegal shooting of bull 244 is 'a tremendous loss for the central elk herd and citizens of Wisconsin.' The killing will ultimately reduce opportunities for the hunting community and take a cherished elk away from outdoor enthusiasts hoping to see and photograph elk in Jackson County.

Now, Wisconsin officials are urging the public to share any information, no matter how small it may seem, with the DNR’s confidential Violation Hotline online or by calling 1-800-847-9367.

Even if you have nothing to share with the DNR, please share this information throughout your social media pages because it may reach someone who does have the information that leads to finding whoever is responsible for this illegal killing.

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