Several citations issued during cow elk hunts for shooting misidentified animals, too many animals

Salt Lake City — Hunting cow elk can be a thrilling experience that puts fresh, delicious meat in your freezer. But, if you shoot more than one cow elk or shoot a bull instead of a cow — or a moose instead of an elk — it can result in a poaching charge.

Every year, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources conservation officers investigate cases where someone shoots more than one cow elk, shoots the wrong sex or even the wrong species. Some hunters get so excited to see an animal that they make poor shooting decisions, firing at multiple elk or failing to properly identify their target.

Utah's antlerless elk hunts opened in August, and some of the later hunts run until Jan. 31 in various parts of the state. During the 2022–23 antlerless elk hunts, conservation officers have investigated several cases, including:

• Weber County: A man shot a moose instead of an elk during his hunt.
• Emery County: A hunter shot a branch antlered bull elk, thinking it was a spike elk. Then he also shot a spike elk, thinking it was the same elk. He was charged with a misdemeanor.
• Sevier County: Officers investigated two cases where a hunter shot too many elk. Misdemeanor citations were issued in both cases.
• Iron County: Officers investigated a case where a hunter shot a cow elk in the wrong area. A misdemeanor citation was issued.
• Northeastern Utah: Officers investigated two cases where a hunter killed too many elk, five cases where a bull elk was killed instead of a cow elk, two cases where a moose was shot instead of an elk and one case where a hunter harvested an elk in the wrong hunting unit. Citations were issued in each of the cases.

Here are some tips to help you not make these same mistakes:

Don't shoot blindly

Cow elk often live in herds that include several cows and calves. Finding a herd of elk can get your heart pumping and your adrenaline flowing. However, you need to make sure you remain calm and know your target — don't just shoot blindly into the herd. Doing so greatly increases the chance that you hit more than one animal.

Get close for a good shot

Cow elk are big, hardy animals. To harvest one, you have to get close enough to make an effective, clean shot. Make sure you know the distance at which you can make that shot, given your shooting abilities and the firearm you are using.

Track the cow

After being hit by a bullet, cow elk don't always go down immediately. Unless it's hit in a vital organ, the animal will often remain standing where it is or it will run off. After taking a shot, first watch to see what the animal does. If the animal doesn't go down and you can clearly see the animal you shot at, take another shot if the opportunity is clear and ethical. If the animal runs off, don't turn your gun on another cow elk thinking you missed the first one. Go to the location the animal was when the shot was taken and start looking for a blood trail. The animal will usually die within a reasonable distance of its initial location from a well-placed shot.

Focus on one animal

Bull elk have antlers that make it easier to tell them apart. Cow elk, on the other hand, look very much alike, and they're usually found in herds that include several cows. After shooting at a cow elk, stay focused on the animal you shot at. If it doesn't go down and doesn't run off, shoot at that same cow again. Don't become confused and shoot at a different cow, thinking you're shooting at the first animal you shot at — you may not be. Stay focused.

"We have seen instances where someone took a shot and thought they missed, so they fired at another animal in the group. By the time they are done shooting, there will be five elk that are dead," DWR Capt. Chad Bettridge said. "It's really important to be educated about these animals and what you are doing before you go out into the field."

Know your hunt boundary

Before you shoot at a cow elk, make sure you and your target animal are within the boundaries your permit allows you to hunt. For example, if you have an antlerless elk-control permit, you can take a cow elk only in the same unit where you have an antlered big game hunting permit. Antlerless elk-control permits are not valid statewide. Be sure to verify all hunt boundaries before heading into the field. You may hunt antlerless elk only during the season dates — and with the same weapon — listed on your buck, bull or once-in-a-lifetime permit.

Know your target — make sure you can correctly identify the animal before you shoot

Don't mistake a cow moose for a cow elk. The animals are very easy to tell apart. But, every year, hunters — caught up in the excitement of seeing a large wild animal — are charged with poaching after shooting a moose that they thought was an elk. There are typically instances each year of people shooting a bull or spike elk instead of a cow elk, as well.

"If you make a mistake while hunting or fishing, we highly recommend that you contact DWR law enforcement," Bettridge said. "When someone self reports, that reduces the likelihood that your license will be suspended. We understand that people get scared or embarrassed, but it shows a lot of goodwill and says a lot about you if you will take responsibility for your actions. Learn from your mistakes and comply with the law."

If you ever suspect illegal activity involving wildlife, please report it to a DWR conservation officer using one of the following methods:

• Call the Utah Turn-in-a-Poacher hotline at 1-800-662-3337. (The UTiP hotline is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week and is the quickest way to report a wildlife violation. The number is also printed on your hunting and fishing licenses.)
• Use the UTDWR Law Enforcement app.
• Text officers at 847411.
• Report online through the DWR website.