Wolf, elk killings probed

The Daily Inter Lake

State and federal officials are investigating the possible poaching of three wolves in Northwest Montana, along with illegal elk killings in the North and Middle Fork Flathead drainages.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officials are investigating the dead wolves, which are protected under the Endangered Species Act.

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks warden Matt Heaton received a report from hunters Nov. 11 that a male wolf was found dead in the Middle Fork drainage.

On Nov. 16, wildlife officers with the Confederated Salish-Kootenai Tribes and the Fish and Wildlife Service collected the carcass of a radio-collared female wolf belonging to the Hog Heaven Pack, which roams north and west of Plains.

Officials also are investigating a report of a dead, wolf-like animal in the interior of the Bob Marshall Wilderness at a location that is now inaccessible because of snow.

Meanwhile, state warden Perry Brown is seeking information on several elk poaching incidents.

One involves the Nov. 22 discovery of four skinned elk quarters along U.S. 2 near Marias Pass.

On a handicapped access road off the Canyon Creek Road, a spike bull elk was found dead on Thanksgiving, apparently from a gunshot wound. Hunters cannot legally kill spike bulls in Northwest Montana hunting districts.

Another bull elk was found, with head and antlers missing, in the West Glacier area near the base of Desert Mountain.

People with information on any of the dead animals are asked to call the law enforcement office at Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks headquarters in Kalispell, 752-5501.

Anonymous calls may be directed to 1-800-TIPMONT.

Rewards may be available for information leading to a conviction in any of the cases.