PHOENIX - The Arizona Game and Fish Department is asking for the public's help in finding a poacher or poachers who killed three elk in the Coyote Springs area northeast of Prescott Valley, in Game Management Unit 19A.

Two dead elk calves were found about two weeks ago. A cow elk was found this past week within a mile of where the calves were killed. The cow elk had been killed with a high-powered rifle.

All of the elk were left out in the field to waste. At the time of the poachings, no elk hunting season was taking place in that unit.

“This is a blatant example of poachers’ disrespect for wildlife and the laws that are established to protect our wildlife resources,” says Wildlife Manager Scott Poppenberger. “We need help from the public in catching the poacher. If you were in the area recently, 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.”

Anyone with information about these poachings can call the department's Operation Game Thief hotline toll-free at (800) 352-0700. Callers may be eligible for a reward up to $1,000 in these cases. All calls may remain confidential upon request.