DWR officials seek information in the illegal killing of a bull elk

VERNAL — Conservation officers with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources are seeking the public’s assistance in obtaining information regarding an bull elk that was illegally killed in Duchesne County.

The DWR says the incident occurred in the Spring Hollow Area south of Highway 191 sometime around Sept. 20.

Officers were called to the area and discovered the animal less than a mile from the nearest road. The DWR says those responsible took only the head, some of the back straps, a hind quarter and a portion of a second hind quarter. The rest of the animal was left to waste. Additionally, the DWR says the individual responsible also left their garbage at the scene.

Through their investigation, DWR officers were able to determine that the suspect used Havalon knifes to harvest some of the meat.

According to the DWR, it is illegal to let protected wildlife to go to waste, which can lead to a class B misdemeanor.

How you can help

If you have any information regarding this specific case, you are asked to contact the Vernal DWR office at 435-781-9453, or Sgt. Jake Greenwood at 435-322-0599. A reward may be available for information leading to the successful prosecution of those responsible. The DWR also says it will respect the wishes of those wishing to remain anonymous.

The DWR is encouraging anyone with information about this case or any other wildlife-related crimes to come forward. It has set up a variety of ways for wildlife-related crimes to be reported.

• The UTiP Hotline at 800-662-3337
• The UTDWR Law Enforcement App
• Send a text to 847411
• Through the DWR website (limited contact with a DWR officer with this option)

In 2022, the DWR reported 1,283 wild animals and fish were killed illegally, worth a value of $609,000.