Outdoors

Three moose poached near West Yellowstone

Posted: Oct 25, 2012 11:34 AM

WEST YELLOWSTONE - Three moose were shot and killed while feeding in a group of aspens in the Antelope Basin area near West Yellowstone this week.

Game Warden Jim Smolcynski called the incident "poaching at its worst."

The moose were shot on either Monday or Tuesday just 50 yards from the road. The cow moose, her bull calf and a young adult bull moose were then left to rot. The person or persons responsible made no effort to salvage the meat., according to Smolcynski.

"There is no way this is anything but a deliberate criminal act," said Smolcynski. "This person is not a sportsman or a hunter - this person is a criminal out to destroy Montana wildlife."

"This is not just a sad waste of these three animals - it's a blow to the population and its future," FWP biologist Julie Cunningham said.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to call Smolcynski at (406) 581-6231 or TIP MONT at (800) 847-6668. Individuals providing information that leads to the arrest and/or conviction of the person or persons involved are eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.