FOSSTON - The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking information on the illegal killing of a moose shot during the Minnesota deer season on a federal waterfowl production area near Fosston.
In a news release, the service said the moose was shot and left to lie “a few miles” south of Fosston. Chuck Melvin, a federal wildlife officer for the service in Detroit Lakes, said the agency is investigating the shooting instead of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources because the moose was killed on federal lands.
He said the service is working closely with DNR conservation officers in investigating the shooting but declined to give specifics on the moose’s size, age or gender, saying he didn’t want to give out any information that potentially could jeopardize the case.
Minnesota moose numbers are on the decline, and the population in the northwest stands at about 100 animals, estimates show.
Anyone with information on the moose killing should call the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Detroit Lakes at (218) 844-3423. The state Turn in Poachers hotline number is (800) 652-9093.
