Three area men were arrested and are being investigated by the Conservation Officer Service (COS) for suspected unlawful elk poaching.

Conservation officers, with the assistance of Sunshine Coast RCMP arrested two men from the Pender Harbour area and one man from Powell River in the late hours of Feb. 20 after the men were found unlawfully in possession of three female Roosevelt elk.

According to conservation officer Sgt. Murray Smith, the elk were shot in the vicinity of Highway 101, in the Pender Harbour area.
“The COS is presently continuing its investigation into this unlawful and dangerous hunting occurrence,” said Smith. “No charges have been laid yet.”

According to Smith Roosevelt elk were re-established on the Sunshine Coast in the late 1980’s. The population has grown steadily, resulting in limited hunting opportunities authorized for this carefully managed species.

“Hunting activities are primarily conducted in wilderness locations, away from populated areas, and at times designed to ensure impacts to the population are minimized,” said Smith. “The hunting of Roosevelt elk, at this time of year, was unlawful.”

Anyone with information about this or any other violations are asked to contact the COS report line (R.A.P.P.) at 1-877-952-7277.