Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Police are soliciting public assistance in a recent elk poaching incident along Highway 504 in Cowlitz County, where authorities discovered the animal’s antlers had been severed.
The illegal take occurred on either Saturday, October 3, or Sunday, October 4, around milepost 39 of the scenic route, officials said.
At 1:37 p.m. on Monday, October 5, officers were alerted to the discovery and reached the site later that day. During their inspection, they confirmed the elk’s antlers had been removed, likely on October 5 itself.
Investigators believe the antler removal and the initial poaching may be connected and are gathering leads on both aspects of the incident.
Members of the public with relevant information can reach out via phone at 877-933-9847, send an email to [email protected], or complete the department’s online reporting form. Text messages sent anonymously to 847411 are also accepted—just begin with “WDFWTIP,” followed by a space and the details.