Elk poaching reported at Rocky Mountain National Park

Park rangers are investigating two elk poaching incidents in Rocky Mountain National Park.

According to a release, yesterday morning park visitors reported a dead bull elk next to Trail Ridge Road. This is near the Ute Crossing Trail south of Forest Canyon Overlook.

Rangers said the elk was discovered poached during the night of Friday, September 21 or early morning Saturday, September 22.

Earlier in the week, rangers discovered another elk that had been poached on Trail Ridge Road near Milner Pass. The report describes the bull’s head had been severed and only the carcass was left behind.

Both cases are under investigation.

Rocky Mountain National Park rangers encourage anyone with helpful information to come forward. You can call or text their investigations line at: 888-653-0009 or 1-800-332-4155. If the information provided leads to an arrest, there’s a possibility for an award.

If you have any photos taken of bull elk near Milner Pass, you’re asked to email them to nps_isb@nps.gov.