One of Wisconsin’s Most Photographed Bull Elk Illegally Slain

Earlier this spring, Wisconsin wildlife officials received terrible news about their Elk reintroduction efforts. Bull #244, one of the most iconic and important elk in the state, was found dead on private land in Jackson County.

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According to a press release from the Wisconsin DNR, the discovery was made on the morning of March 18th near East Snow Creek Road, just north of Black River Falls. DNR staff had been in the area working to capture and collar elk when they came across the body. A necropsy confirmed the bull had died from a gunshot wound. His GPS collar, along with nearby trail cameras, is now helping investigators piece together what happened.

This wasn’t just any elk. Bull #244 was one of the original elk relocated from Kentucky in 2016 to help establish Wisconsin’s Central Elk Herd. He was known for his impressive size and impact on herd growth through the breeding program. This made him one of the most photographed elk in the state.

“The illegal shooting of bull 244 is a tremendous loss for the central elk herd and citizens of Wisconsin. The illegal harvest of a bull of this magnitude reduces opportunity to the hunting community and to recreationalists attempting to photograph or see elk within Jackson County. Bull 244 was one of the largest and most photographed bulls in the state and has contributed to the successful growth of the newly established herd through his breeding efforts."

-Christina Kizewski, central elk herd biologist

Elk once roamed freely across Wisconsin, but by the late 1800s, they had disappeared due to habitat loss and unregulated hunting. In 1995, the state began reintroducing elk to the north, followed by a second reintroduction to the central region in 2015. Today, thanks to partnerships and public support, the population has grown to over 400 animals. Bull 244 symbolized the success of years of DNR effort, and his death is a reminder of how difficult recovery can be.

During my trip to Rocky Mountain National Park, seeing the elk herds graze and run was amazing. It's great to see the elk returning to Wisconsin and growing, despite this major setback in population growth. In response to the elk's death, the Wisconsin DNR is asking for the public’s help. Anyone with information is urged to call the confidential Violation Hotline at 1-800-847-9367 or make a report online.