Federal authorities are bringing charges against a North Carolina man in connection with the shooting of one of Great Smoky Mountains National Park's bull elk, an animal that was one of the largest bulls in the herd.
Park officials say rangers discovered the carcass of bull No. 21 on Friday lying along the edge of a pasture in the Cataloochee area of the park. The animal was believed to have been shot and was taken to the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine for a necropsy. The necropsy report has not yet been received.
An investigation involving park rangers as well as agents from the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission produced a vehicle description that lead them to a suspect from Granville County, North Carolina. On Saturday a Park Service special agent met with the suspect, who reportedly confessed, a park release said Monday.
The park is working with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to develop the case. The suspect’s name is not being released pending the filing of charges. Those convicted of poaching in a national park face up to six months in jail and/or a fine of up to $5,000. Offenders can also be forced to forfeit the weapon and the vehicle used in the crime.
“The suspect was quickly identified and a strong case developed because of the willingness of members of the community to come forward and talk to rangers and state wildlife officers. The many visitors and volunteers who come to Cataloochee expressly to watch the elk constitute a very effective surveillance network which has undoubtedly prevented elk poaching from occurring earlier," said Acting Chief Ranger Steve Kloster.
“While the loss of one bull elk may not jeopardize the success of the park’s Elk Program, we do see this as a very serious theft of the public’s enjoyment of their national park," he added. “Thousands of visitors come to see these elk each year, and many of them know each animal by sight. Number 21 was one of the largest and most majestic breeding bulls in the herd, so he will certainly be missed.”
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azborn2001, you sound like a good man regardless of whatever name label that you prefer. Just like a good farmer called a true hayseed...etc... Say, what does "mule skinner blues" mean? Is that southern jargon?
Well, you can learn something everyday in the oddest places.
As a member of the Elk Bugle Corp group of national park volunteers I can tell you there is no way to describe the outrage that we have that someone killed one of our "pets". Our group was disbanded for the season just 2 weeks prior to the poaching incident.
A Memorial Fund has been set up for bull elk 21(http://yoursmokies.blogspot.com/2009/11/memorial-fund-set-up-for-slain-b...) and the donations will be used to fund the Elk Bugle Corp which last year had a budget of $0. Donations of any size would be greatly appreciated. 100% of the donations go directly to our equipment needs and educational materials. Nothing goes to administration or any other overhead expense.
Elk Bugle Corp and Poaching Information: http://yoursmokies.blogspot.com/search?q=elk+bugle
Seriously! Why would someone do such a thing? Senseless, inhumane and for just the thrill of killing a poor, defenseless creature. It is one thing to hunt to eat; it is another to just shoot an animal that is clearly very domesticated and not at all afraid of humans. I have seen these beautiful creatures and shooting one of them is equivalent to pulling up to your neighbor's house and shooting their dog in the yard. This is not hunting, it is murder. I hope he should be prosecuted to the fullest extent!
This just goes to show the state that are country is in and are need to protect are resources
This sickens, and saddens, me so very much. I can't believe anybody would just go and kill something - anything just for the 'heck' of it. This beautiful animal had lived in a protected/wild environment all of his life and for the most part trusted humans. Anybody who considers this type of 'hunting' SPORT is a stupid fool. It really takes a high skill level to kill like this. If the guy was hungry I'm sure he could have found plenty of places to hunt legally, but apparently he thought it would be fun to go out and kill this gorgeous animal for no apparent reason other than stupidity. Thank God he was caught and will be prosected. Hopefully the powers that be will prosecute him to the highest degree possible.
I'm especially sad for all of the people who have volunteered their time and worked so hard to make the elk project work. I know you are saddened by this more than anyone. My heart goes out to you all.
Robin,
Please make no mistake here - Poaching is no form of hunting. Also, it is impossible to 'hunt' illegally, that would be 'Poaching'
I think the penalty should be atleast the cost to replace him with 2 or 3 bulls of like status. It is because of people like him the true hunters of n.c. will never get to hunt in n.c.. Throw the book at him.