The Idaho Department of Fish and Game is asking the public for help identifying the individual or individuals involved in the illegal shooting of a cow moose near the Idaho County town of Clearwater.
According to a news release, on Saturday, residents of the town of Clearwater notified conservation officers of two yearling moose calves frequenting pastureland just outside of a residential area. When officers arrived they discovered an adult cow moose alive, but debilitated by a gunshot wound.
Multiple attempts by the officers to provoke the cow to stand were unsuccessful. Evidence on the ground surrounding the cow indicated that she had been in that spot for multiple days, likely without adequate food or water.
Officers on scene made the difficult decision to euthanize the cow. Officers were able to confirm that the cow was no longer nursing her two calves, which drastically increases their chances of survival. All the meat from the moose was salvaged and donated to a local family.
Moose hunting in Idaho is an extremely limited activity, with once-in-a-lifetime harvest opportunities provided through a controlled hunt system. In this instance, the cow moose was located in Game Management Unit 15, an area of the state with low moose numbers and no available tags for moose hunting.
Unlawfully harvesting a cow moose in Idaho is a major crime, and anyone with information relating to the incident is encouraged to contact the Idaho Fish and Game – Clearwater Region Office at 208-799-5010, or the Citizens Against Poaching Hotline at 1-800-632-5999. Citizens Against Poaching has posted that it’s offering a $700 reward for information leading to the arrest of the individual or individuals responsible.
