WYOMING — The Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) is seeking information from the public regarding two separate poaching incidents in Fremont County earlier this month.
The most recent occurrence involved an adult cow moose that was shot and left to waste off Union Pass Road near Dubois. WGFD said in a press release that GPS collar data from the moose indicates it likely died around 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 17. Based on movement, the moose could have been wounded as early as Thursday, Oct. 15.
The moose had been fitted with a GPS tracking collar in February 2025 in the Gros Ventre drainage as part of a multiyear research initiative. That initiative is led by Jackson Wildlife Biologist Aly Courtemanch and the University of Wyoming.
“The loss of this animal represents not only an illegal waste of Wyoming’s wildlife, but also a needless impact to the Jackson Moose Herd, which has been struggling for decades,” Courtemanch said. “The loss of a prime-age cow moose isn’t just the loss of one individual but all of the future calves she would have contributed to the herd as well.”
The second incident of poaching involved a calf elk that was illegally shot and left to waste outside of Lander. A member of the public reported the carcass on Sunday, Oct. 4, and the initial investigation confirmed that the calf was shot earlier that day.
“Poaching is a crime against every sportsperson and wildlife enthusiast in Wyoming,” said Lander Game Warden Rob Shipe. “The areas where these animals were killed see regular hunting and recreational traffic this time of year. It is possible that someone nearby may have seen something that will help us solve this crime. We rely heavily on sportsmen and local residents to report suspicious vehicles, unusual activity, or gunfire heard outside typical legal hours.”
Anyone with information regarding either incident is urged to call Wyoming’s Stop Poaching Hotline at 1-877-WGFD-TIP (1-877-943-3847) or submit a tip online here. Reporters can remain anonymous and are eligible for a cash reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction.
