Poaching is always an egregious offense. In Virginia, it’s even worse because of the small herd size.
Wildlife officials are seeking information regarding the illegal killing of two mature bull elk—one in the Guest River section of Wise County, near Norton, and the other in the Warfork area of Buchanan County.
It was in April of 2014 that the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, its volunteers, the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (GIF) and other partners completed an effort to restore wild elk back on their native Virginia range. Wildlife officials released 75 animals onto the landscape.
The most recent population estimate of Virginia’s elk herd is approximately 160.
If you have any information about either poaching incident, call 1-800-237-5712 or send an email to wildcrime@dgif.virginia.gov.
(Photo source: Virginia Department of Game & Inland Fisheries)