It looked like a poaching case so Montana, Fish Wildlife and Parks (FWP) reached out to the public to ask for help. The tips started rolling in which allowed officials to figure out what really happened.
According to KXLF-TV, here’s what happened. A decapitated elk carcass found on the side of a road near the town of Shepherd was originally struck by a passing vehicle. A passerby euthanized it to put it out of its misery. Then a man and a boy removed its head.
FWP Game Warden Matt Ladd told KXLF-TV no charges were filed because the man and boy did not kill the elk and the meat was not fit for consumption.
(Photo source: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks)