FLAGSTAFF — The Arizona Game and Fish Department is seeking the public’s help in finding those responsible for the illegal killing of a yearling elk found in the Strawberry area on or about Sunday, May 22.

The elk was illegally taken out of season and was discovered along Highway 87 north of Strawberry in Game Management Unit 6A. In this case, some of the edible meat was left to waste and was dumped at a different location than where the poaching is suspected to have taken place.

The case remains ongoing, but investigators believe the poaching occurred on the National Forest  between Pine and Happy Jack. Evidence collected at the scene is currently being analyzed by the crime lab.

“Someone may have information about this case and we need them to come forward,” said Game and Fish said Wildlife Manager Garrett Fabian. “Sportsmen and women pay for licenses and tags and contribute to wildlife conservation and management, but poachers do not. Poaching isn’t hunting, it’s stealing Arizona’s valuable wildlife resources.”

Anyone with information about the cases can call the AZGFD’s Operation Game Thief Hotline toll free at (800) 352-0700 or use the online form at www.azgfd.gov/thief. Callers should provide case number 16-001353 when calling. Callers may remain confidential upon request.

A reward of up to $750 may be available for information leading to the arrest of the violator(s).