Wardens investigate deer, elk poaching outside of Whitefish

State game wardens investigating the illegal killing of a deer and a bull elk west of Whitefish are asking the public for help identifying the poachers.

Wardens with the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks responded Wednesday to a report that a white-tailed buck had been shot and killed in a field near the intersection of Twin Bridges Road and Lodgepole Road near the Stillwater River. The deer’s head had been removed but the remainder of the carcass was left in the field.

On Sept. 1, wardens responded after a report that a bull elk had been shot and killed on the north end of the Farm to Market Road near the intersection of Star Meadows Road. Some portions of the elk were taken but not the animal’s head.

FWP said it’s not yet clear whether the incidents are related.

“Game wardens have solved several large-scale poaching cases in the same general area in the past as a result of help from the public,” said Lee Anderson, FWP Region 1 warden captain.

FWP encourages anyone with information about these illegal kills to call 1-800-TIP-MONT. Callers can remain anonymous. If a caller’s information leads to an arrest, they could be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000.