Rangers Seek Public’s Assistance in Elk Poaching Case

Orick, Calif. – On the morning of Oct. 3, 2018, a park ranger with Redwood National and State Parks discovered a deceased bull elk in Elk Meadow near the intersection of Hwy. 101 and Davison Road. Elk Meadow is located within Redwood National and State Parks, where hunting of any kind is prohibited by federal and state law. Law enforcement officers from Redwood National and State Parks and California Department of Fish and Wildlife immediately began investigating the incident and determined the elk had been killed with arrows sometime earlier that morning. Nothing from the elk carcass was taken.

To assist with the on-going investigation, officers are looking for the public’s assistance, urging anyone with any information about this incident to call Ranger Pero at (707) 465-7761. Or, a report can be made anonymously by calling the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s CalTip at (888) 334-CalTIP (888- 334-2258) or by calling the Redwood National and State Parks anonymous crime tip line at +1 707 765-7353.

Redwood National and State Parks contains 133,000 acres of federal and state land in Humboldt and Del Norte Counties. Seven elk herds call Redwood National and State Parks home. The Roosevelt elk (Cervis elaphus roosevelti), is the largest of the six recognized subspecies of elk in North America; they once occurred from southern British Columbia south to Sonoma County, Calif. Today Roosevelt elk in California persist only in Humboldt and Del Norte Counties, and western Siskiyou County. Tourists from all over the world and Californians alike enjoy the opportunity to see Roosevelt Elk within their historical home range at Redwood National and State Parks. Park Rangers are committed to protecting these amazing animals and urge the public to help them in this effort.

For questions about the incident, please contact Ranger Pero at +1 707 465-7761.