'Largest and most photographed' elk in Wisconsin found shot dead near Black River Falls

Yahoo! News - Apr 21st, 2025
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A bull elk known as #244 was found shot dead in Jackson County, Wisconsin, marking a significant loss to local wildlife conservation efforts. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is investigating the illegal killing and has requested assistance from the public to identify the responsible party. The elk was discovered on March 18 by DNR staff during a relocation effort. This particular bull was a vital contributor to the central elk herd, which had been reintroduced from Kentucky to replenish the depleted population in the area. Elk reintroduction efforts have been underway in Wisconsin since 1995, and the loss of bull #244 is seen as a setback to these conservation initiatives.

The reintroduction program has seen some success, with the Clam Lake herd growing to approximately 355 elk and the Jackson County herd reaching around 160 as of July 2023. However, illegal killings remain a concern, with 17 elk deaths attributed to such actions since the program's inception. The penalties for hunting elk without a license in Wisconsin are severe, including fines and potential imprisonment. The DNR emphasizes the importance of this conservation effort and is actively seeking tips through its Violation Hotline to prevent further illegal activities that threaten the elk population's growth and stability.

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RATING

8.2
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The news story is a well-rounded piece of journalism that effectively communicates the facts surrounding the illegal shooting of an elk in Wisconsin. It scores highly in accuracy and clarity, providing detailed and verifiable information that aligns with official reports. The article is timely and relevant, addressing an issue of public interest with potential implications for wildlife conservation efforts. While the story maintains a balanced perspective, it could benefit from including a wider range of viewpoints and enhancing transparency regarding the journalist's methodology. Overall, the article succeeds in informing readers about a significant environmental issue, with opportunities for further engagement and impact through additional context and interactive elements.

RATING DETAILS

9
Accuracy

The story presents a high level of factual accuracy and verifiability. It correctly identifies the location, date, and circumstances surrounding the discovery of the elk, as corroborated by multiple sources. The details about the elk's identity, its role in the herd, and the cause of death are precise and align with official reports from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The article accurately describes the historical context of elk reintroduction efforts in Wisconsin, including specific numbers and timelines, which are supported by DNR data. However, while the story is comprehensive, it would benefit from direct quotes or references to official documents to bolster its verifiability further.

8
Balance

The article maintains a balanced perspective by focusing on the facts surrounding the illegal shooting of the elk without veering into subjective commentary. The story includes statements from Christina Kizewski, a central elk herd biologist, providing an expert viewpoint on the incident's impact. However, the article could enhance its balance by including perspectives from other stakeholders, such as local hunters or conservation groups, to provide a broader view of the issue. While it effectively highlights the loss to the elk population and the community, it primarily presents the DNR's perspective without exploring potential counterarguments or differing opinions.

9
Clarity

The article is well-written, with clear and concise language that effectively communicates the key facts and context of the story. It follows a logical structure, beginning with the discovery of the elk and progressing through the implications and historical context. The use of direct quotes enhances the narrative, providing authoritative voices to support the claims made. The tone is neutral and factual, making the content accessible and easy to understand for a general audience.

8
Source quality

The primary source of information in the article is the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, a credible and authoritative entity on wildlife management. The inclusion of direct quotes from a DNR biologist adds to the article's reliability. The story could improve by incorporating additional sources, such as interviews with local residents or wildlife experts, to provide a more rounded perspective. While the reliance on a single primary source is justified given the nature of the event, diversifying the sources would enhance the article's depth and credibility.

7
Transparency

The article is transparent about the origin of its information, clearly attributing quotes and data to the Wisconsin DNR. However, it lacks explicit disclosure of the methods used to gather information, such as whether the journalist conducted interviews or relied solely on press releases. There is no mention of potential conflicts of interest, which suggests impartiality but could be more explicitly stated. Providing more context about the journalist's process or potential biases would increase the article's transparency.

Sources

  1. https://bringmethenews.com/wisconsin-news/wisconsin-dnr-seeks-hunter-who-illegally-killed-prominent-breeding-elk
  2. https://www.wpr.org/news/illegal-elk-killing-central-wisconsin
  3. https://fox11online.com/sports/outdoors/bull-elk-illegally-shot-poaching-jackson-county-central-herd-244-department-natural-resources-investigation-kentucky-import-2016
  4. https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/bull-elk-illegally-killed-wisconsin-dnr-investigation/
  5. https://vernonreporter.com/dnr-seeking-tips-on-illegal-elk-shooting/