Cut off antlers?

[Dawgs]

LAST EDITED ON Aug-01-13 AT 00:46AM (MST)[p]I came across a bull elk carcass last weekend with sawed-off antlers. Why would this happen? I talked to a ranch youngster who lives in the area who said he found a couple like that in another part of the same area. Explanations?

 

[fatrooster]

Antler poachers. Or somebody had a tag and took only the antlers which is also illegal. fatrooster.

 

[NVBirdnBig]

Definitely poachers

 

[Dawgs]

South of Ely a ways. Why would you poach it and just take some cut-off antlers? They would look dumb and suspicious to the rest of the world. I guess they might fit in your truck better, but a cut off antler just seems not worth much. Wonder if they would sell that to an antler buyer? If so, you'd hope the buyer might ask a few questions.

 

[Vegas_Hunter]

You need to report it to NDOW.

 

[Vegas_Hunter]

Operation Game Thief, 1-800-992-3030. By using the Operation Game Thief hotline, callers may remain anonymous and may even receive a reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in a wildlife crime.

 

[Z]

You're not talking about the one in area 231, are you?

 

[MarshallBill5]

I came across something similar several years ago (10+) on our ranch in Northern Nevada. We called the Fish and Game and were told that they were the ones that cut the horns off. They said the bull was a six point and they figured that somebody hit it high and it got away from them. It died in one of our fields not 100 yards from where a hunter had got one the week before.

 

[NVPete]

Not sure if would be poachers. To my knowledge, when elk or deer carcasses are reported, the meat is spoiled by the time investigators arrive. I believe they will harvest the antlers, especially if it is a larger bull or buck. I assisted a biologist once in removal of antlers from a dead bull elk.

 

[Nvdeerslayer]

Or it could have been a mt lion kill that someone came across and decided to cut the antlers off. (A buck that is.... dont think lions are taking down bulls).