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HARRISBURG – Pennsylvania Game Commission Executive Director Vern Ross today announced that several hunting organizations have raised $4,850 in reward monies for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for illegally killing an elk in Cameron County that was perhaps the largest bull elk in the state. On Oct. 16, a Game Commission employee discovered the elk dead in Grove Township along Route 120 on the Clinton/Cameron county line. "Pennsylvania hunters have been unanimous in their outrage over this senseless killing," Ross said. "They want to see the person or persons responsible for this malicious and cowardly act brought to justice. The killing of this elk isn’t just a slap in the face to hunters, though. It’s a crime against all Pennsylvanians who care about wildlife." Organizations contributing to the reward, and the amount that they are offering, are as follows: Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation volunteers, $1,000; Pennsylvania Deer Association, $500; Safari Club International, Blue Mountain Chapter, $500; Safari Club International, Delaware Valley Chapter, $500; Safari Club International, Lehigh Valley Chapter, $500; Safari Club International, Pittsburgh Chapter, $500; United Bowhunters of Pennsylvania, $500; Early Bird Sports Expo Association, Columbia County, $250; Safari Club International, Susquehannock Chapter, $250; Sinnemahoning Sportsmen’s Club, Cameron County, $250; and Bucktail Rod & Gun Club, Cameron County, $100. "This elk weighed more than 800 pounds and was especially impressive because of its massive non-typical antlers," said Rawley Cogan, Commission elk biologist. "For those who had the opportunity to see it, the thrill will last a long time. Unfortunately, no one else will have that opportunity again." With an outside antler spread of over six feet, this particular elk unofficially scored at 387 2/8 on the Boone & Crockett scale, and would have ranked in the top 100 for American elk in the non-typical antlers category. At 11 years of age, the elk was first captured and marked by the Game Commission in 1997, when the animal was eight years old. Its movements have been tracked over the past three years, and it was believed to be the largest bull elk in Pennsylvania’s herd. Generally a secretive and reclusive animal, it was seen mostly during the mating seasons, and was featured in the Game Commission’s award-winning elk video, "Pennsylvania Elk: Reclaiming the Alleghenies." "Our conservation officers are conducting an in-depth investigation into this crime," said Commission Northcentral Regional Director Barry R. Hambley. "We will leave no stone unturned in our efforts to bring to justice those responsible for this killing. "Based on a necropsy, we know that the elk was shot sometime during the weekend of Oct. 14-15. Our officers have collected evidence from the scene, but we need more. Anyone having information regarding this violation is asked to call." Hambley noted that anyone with information should call the Game Commission’s toll-free TIP Hotline at 1-888-PGC-8001, or the Northcentral Region Office toll-free at 1-877-877-7674. Any information received will be kept strictly confidential. Hambley also pointed out that the Game Commission recently solved a case involving the killing of an American bald eagle in Franklin County based on information provided by two confidential informants. In providing the critical link in solving the bald eagle case, the informants noted that they did not realize the significance of the information they had until they saw a television news report about the bald eagle that was killed. "With the thousands of visitors who are attracted to view Pennsylvania’s elk herd and other wildlife at this time of year, we believe that someone has information that may be the linch-pin to this case," Hambley said. "We just need to hear from them." Cameron County Wildlife Conservation Officer Wesley Stauffer is heading up the investigation. Based on recent trends, the Game Commission estimates the state’s current elk population to be 650 animals. The elk range includes all of Cameron and Elk counties and portions of Clinton, Clearfield and Potter counties.

Uploaded: 11/15/2000