Wisconsin Elk Hunter Cited for Illegally Shooting Bull Elk During Wisconsin’s Inaugural Elk Hunt
OutdoorHub Reporters 11.02.18
A Wisconsin elk hunter has been charged for illegally killing the first bull elk taken by a state-licensed hunter during Wisconsin’s inaugural elk hunt.
Joe Wiltzius, 73, was cited by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources for shooting a 5-by-5 bull on October 15 while standing on Forest Road 174.
The state unequivocally prohibits the discharge of a firearm from across a roadway.
And because Wiltzius was standing so close to the road when he fired his .300 Winchester Magnum rifle, he will also be charged with hunting within 50 feet of the center line of a roadway.
Additionally, he faces another $2,000 wild animal surcharge if a judge sees fit, DNR warden supervisor Dave Zebro said.
Zebro also added that Wiltzius was hunting with a friend and a guide when he shot the animal. At this time, the friend and guide aren’t expected to face any criminal charges, however, it’s very likely the guide loses his guiding license.
DNR officials seized the antlers and hide, and will also store the meat until the case is adjudicated. The venison will likely be donated to a food pantry, Zebro continued saying.
Wiltzius was the holder of one of only five elk tags offered to non-tribal members. According to Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, five permits were meant for Wisconsin residents and five were earmarked for American Indian tribes. Four of the five resident permits were drawn from a pool of 38,000 resident applications. The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation raffled off one last coveted permit, which unfortunately was awarded to Wiltzius.
When other hunters heard about Wiltzius’ actions, you can pretty much imagine their disgusted reactions.
However, the DNR remains amendment that the ugliness of one man’s decision does not represent the actions of other hunters nor belittle the success of Wisconsin’s elk program – which raised almost $400,000 for elk management in the state.
The elk season opened October 13 and runs through November 11, then pauses for gun deer season, and reopens from December 13-21.
