Elk poached along Spirit Lake Memorial Highway in Cowlitz County

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Police are investigating an illegal elk poaching that occurred on Saturday, Oct. 3, or Sunday, Oct. 4, near mile marker 39 on state Route 504, also known as the Spirit Lake Highway, in Cowlitz County.

WDFW Police received a report of the elk poaching at 1:37 p.m. on Oct. 5 and arrived at the scene later that afternoon.

Once at the scene, WDFW Police confirmed someone had cut the antlers off the animal sometime on Oct. 5.

The department asks anyone with information on the poaching of this elk, and the removal of the antlers, to make a report to WDFW by calling 877-933-9847, emailing WDFW's poaching tip email at reportpoaching@dfw.wa.gov or sending a text tip to 847411.

The public can also report online at https://wdfw.wa.gov/about/enforcement/report. Tips can be provided anonymously.