Wardens found the carcass on public land near Small Horn Canyon after a tip on Oct. 26 that the elk died and was left to waste as a result of a herd shooting incident. Game wardens are seeking information on who may have been involved.

Hunters are prohibited from wasting any part of a game animal that is defined as suitable for food, which, for most game animals, includes the four quarters above the hock, the loins and the backstraps.

Anyone with possible information about this incident is encouraged to visit tipmont.mt.gov to get in touch with a local game warden. You may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000.

Game wardens in the Dillon area have received additional reports lately of similar incidents that resulted in injured and wasted elk.

“This is a reminder of one of the basic rules of firearm safety: Always be sure of your target and beyond,” said FWP game warden Cameron Wischhusen. “Shooting into a herd of animals is never a good idea and often results in wounded animals and wasted meat.”