Musselshell County Investigating Four Dead Elk

A fourth dead elk has been found in the southwest part of Musselshell County.

Musselshell County Sheriff Shawn Lesnik posted to Facebook on August 18 that a mature, six point bull elk was found dead from a single gunshot in a field east of Roundup.

Then, a second mature bull elk was located close to where the first one was found and the county Dispatch Center received a call about a third dead elk.

A fourth was reported later this week 25 miles away from where the others were found.

Sherrif Lesnik says the landowner believes the fourth bull was killed either late Monday night or early Tuesday morning. A Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks warden has gone to the site to process the scene for evidence.

All were shot and left to rot, intact, in a field with antlers still attached.

Sheriff Lesnik called it a horrendous crime and his office would “dearly love to make the acquaintance of the individual that shot these elk because it’s so unthinkable and so ridiculous.”

The Musselshell County Sheriff’s Office and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks are investigating.

Anyone with information on the shooting of these elk are urged to call the Musselshell County Sheriff’s Office or TIP-MONT toll-free hotline. Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward.