The Arizona Game and Fish Department is asking for the public's help in finding a poacher who killed two elk just south of Mormon Lake, which is southeast of Flagstaff, sometime between November 13 and 17, 2005.

The elk were shot in Game Management Unit 5B South, near a meadow off the Lake Mary Road and Forest Service Road 124 intersection, approximately three miles south of Mormon Lake. Reports say the poacher took one of the elk out of the field whole and left part of the carcass and legs of the other elk in the field. When the poaching occurred, no elk season was taking place in that unit.

"This is a blatant example of poachers' disrespect for wildlife and the laws and seasons that are established to protect our wildlife resources," says Wildlife Manager Garrett Fabian. "We need help from the public in catching the poacher. If you were in the area at that time, please think back about anything you might have seen or heard or any conversations you might have had. Maybe someone doesn't realize he or she has the key to solving this case."

The poached animals are considered a major loss for the residents of Arizona and our wildlife resources.

Anyone with information about this poaching can call the department's Operation Game Thief hotline toll-free at (800) 352-0700. A quick report of any poaching case to the department is important, in order to preserve any evidence. Callers may be eligible for a reward in this case. All calls may remain confidential upon request.