CASCADE, Idaho (AP) - Three bull moose were illegally shot and killed in Valley County in west-central Idaho, Idaho officials say, and a fourth bull moose was shot at but apparently not injured.
The Idaho Department of Fish and Game this week said a large bull moose was killed west of Smiths Ferry sometime between Oct. 10 and Saturday.
Officials are investigating and offering a reward.
Officials said two other moose were shot and killed by hunters on Friday who said they mistook them for elk, then reported the mistake to authorities.
The region “has a low density of moose,” said Hollie Miyasaki, a moose biologist with Fish and Game. “Illegally killing three moose in an area where we don’t have a large enough population to have a hunt could have a negative impact on this population of moose.”
On Saturday north of Payette Lake, officers responded after witnesses reported two hunters shooting at a moose. The hunters said they thought it was an elk. Wildlife officials say they believe the moose wasn’t hit.
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