A bull elk was illegally killed on Sunday, Oct. 8 in Anderson County, Tennessee. Officers with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) investigating the incident located the entire carcass with a bolt wound, which is the type of arrow used with a crossbow, WATE 6 News reports.
“Poaching is a serious offense in Tennessee,” said Caleb Hardwick, TWRA officer. “The TWRA has been working diligently since 2000 to restore the elk population to a huntable size. Poaching is not only illegal, but it threatens restoration efforts that ensure Tennesseans have the opportunity to legally hunt these animals.”
TWRA officers collected the elk head for evidence while the rest of the carcass was processed and donated to the Hunters for the Hungry program.
Elk hunting is carefully regulated within the state based upon a quota permit system, according to the agency. In 2024, there will be 19 quota permits issued that are valid for designated elk hunt zones on North Cumberland Wildlife Management Area and on private lands in Anderson, Campbell, Claiborne, Morgan and Scott counties.
A $3,000 reward was offered by the Campbell Outdoor Recreation Association, the Tennessee Wildlife Federation and the National Wild Turkey Federation Pine Mountains Longbeards Chapter for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the poacher. Please contact the East Tennessee Regional Poaching Hotline at 1-800-831-1174.
