Jasper park wardens are investigating an attempted poaching of a bull elk on Sunday, Sept. 20.

The bull elk was spotted near the start of Snaring Rd. near the Palisades on both sides of Highway 16 with two arrows pierced almost right through its lower neck and upper back.

According to park warden Jim Mammalis, the elk was running around, chasing after cows and getting into fights with other bulls.

“We watched him for a while, to see how he was moving, whether he was really injured or not, he seemed to be moving okay. It didn’t seem at the time that he was going to succumb to his injuries. Because of these other bulls in the area, he was quite agitated, and by that time it was getting fairly close to dark, we decided not to tranquilize him, and just watched him until dark,” Mammalis said.

Wardens came back the next day in the hopes of finding him, and if it appeared that the arrows were bothering him, tranquilize him, remove them and treat the wounds, but they haven’t seen him again.

Mammalis said the arrows weren’t affecting him at the time, but it is possible that the wounds will get infected and there is a possibility he could die.

By summary conviction, the maximum fine for hunting a bull elk in the park is $50,000, and $100,000 by indictment. According to Mammalis, there could be potential jail time if the judge grants it, with up to six months in jail by summary, and five years by indictment.

Wardens are still investigating and will speak to people in the hunting community, and Fish and Wildlife officers. If anyone was in the area of Snaring Rd. or the Palisades Sunday between 4pm and 7pm and saw anything suspicious, they are asked to call Jasper dispatch at 780-852-6155.