The poached elk | MDC
In yet another unfortunate and shocking act of shameless poaching, an adult bull elk was illegally shot and left to waste at Peck Ranch Conservation Area in southern Missouri. The Missouri Department of Conservation has labeled the incident as an "intentional and brazen" killing, and is now ponying up a substantial $15,000 reward through its Operation Game Thief program for information leading to the conviction of those responsible.
The poaching occurred on the night of November 25th when visitors to the conservation area discovered the elk's carcass the following morning lying in an open field approximately 40 yards off a gravel trail. A necropsy conducted by Conservation Agent Brad Hadley revealed devastating injuries: the bullet shattered the elk's left front shoulder and two ribs, penetrated the ribcage, and ruptured the lower third of its heart.
If the illegal killing wasn’t enough, the shooter(s?) ensured that no meat, antlers, or other parts were taken and abandoned the entire animal, adding further insult to injury given the egregious and wasteful nature of the crime. According to MDC, the initial investigation revealed tire tracks at the scene, indicating a vehicle had driven into the field, circled the elk, and then sped away aggressively.
Following a December 1st social media post by MDC officials regarding the incident, photos were soon submitted by visitors, helping to narrow the timeline for investigating officers. One image captured the majestic bull elk peacefully grazing at 5:15 p.m. on November 25, while another showed it dead by 8:05 a.m. the next day.
“This was an intentional, brazen, and totally irresponsible act committed by someone with no respect for our wildlife or other people,” said Agent Hadley. “We are committed to thoroughly investigating wildlife crimes so that those responsible can be held accountable. The wildlife and people we serve deserve nothing less.”
This incident casts a dark shadow over what ought to be a shining beacon of conservation success. Missouri’s elk were reintroduced to the state in 2011 with assistance from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, after being extirpated over a century ago. Peck Ranch serves as a key refuge for the herd, which has grown and become a draw for visitors and wildlife enthusiasts alike.
As of right now, the investigation remains ongoing with no arrests reported. Authorities are urging anyone who visited Peck Ranch between the evening of November 25 and the morning of November 26, or anyone else with relevant information, to come forward.
Tips can be submitted anonymously to the Operation Game Thief hotline at 800-392-1111. Past cases, including a 2025 Shannon County poaching that led to convictions of three men, demonstrate that public tips often prove crucial in solving these crimes.
“Poaching is stealing valued wildlife resources from all Missourians, and must be stopped,” said OGT Board Chair Jim Kent. “We are offering this reward with the intent of finding those responsible and holding them accountable.”
