BLACK RIVER FALLS, Wis. (WFRV) – Authorities in Wisconsin are asking for the public’s help after the illegal killing of a bull elk in Jackson County.
According to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the incident was discovered on March 18 after the agency received a tip. The elk was found off East Snow Creek Road on private property north of Black River Falls, where DNR staff had been conducting elk capture efforts to radio-collar and relocate a small group of elk.
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A necropsy revealed that the elk died from injuries sustained from a gunshot wound.
The bull elk, known as #244, was equipped with a GPS radio collar that, along with nearby cellular trail cameras, has provided investigators with detailed information about the illegal shooting.
Bull 244 was one of the final remaining elk brought from Kentucky in 2016 and had served as a primary breeding bull for the Central Elk Herd.
“The illegal shooting of bull 244 is a tremendous loss for the central elk herd and citizens of Wisconsin,” said Christina Kizewski, central elk herd biologist. “The illegal harvest of a bull of this magnitude reduces opportunity to the hunting community and to recreationalists attempting to photograph or see elk within Jackson County. 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.”
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The DNR is asking anyone with information, no matter how small, to contact the confidential Violation Hotline online or by calling 1-800-847-9367.
No further information is available as the investigation continues.
