CLEARWATER, ID — Idaho Fish and Game is seeking information about the unlawful shooting of a cow moose near the community of Clearwater along the South Fork of the Clearwater River.
On October 18, residents reported seeing two yearling moose calves lingering near pastureland outside a residential area. Conservation officers responding to the call soon found the reason for their behavior — an adult cow moose nearby suffering from a gunshot wound.
Officers attempted to encourage the injured moose to stand but determined she had likely been immobile for several days without food or water. The decision was made to humanely euthanize the animal. Officers confirmed the cow was no longer nursing, giving her two calves a better chance at survival. All meat from the animal was salvaged and donated to a local family.
According to Fish and Game, moose hunting in Idaho is a highly restricted, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity under a controlled hunt system. The animal was found in Game Management Unit 16, where no moose hunting tags are issued due to low population numbers.
Killing a cow moose without authorization is considered a major crime. Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact the Idaho Fish and Game Clearwater Region Office at 208-799-5010 or call the Citizens Against Poaching Hotline at 1-800-632-5999. A $700 reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest.
