On September 20th at about 6:30pm, two subjects overheard a single rifle shot originate off of Yachats River Road near milepost 5.5. A spike bull elk was located deceased on the ODFW Tami Wagner Wildlife Area. A separate subject contacted Oregon State Police Dispatch at 7:00pm to report the bull elk had been shot with a rifle and there were multiple subjects observed in the area processing the bull elk.
A Lincoln County Sheriff's Deputy arrived on scene and met five subjects actively processing the bull elk. Shortly later, an OSP Patrol Trooper and Fish and Wildlife Trooper arrived on scene. The five subjects were interviewed and the elk carcass examined.
The spike bull elk had been shot once with a firearm then shot once it was deceased with an arrow. Evidence from the scene was processed and three subjects were cited. 57-year old Michael F. Cox was cited for Tampering with Physical Evidence, Aiding/Counseling in a Wildlife Offense, and Take/Possession of Bull Elk.
30-year old Kevin Lee Hanel Jr. of Albany and 48-year old Heather L. Som of Scio were cited for Aiding/Counseling in a Wildlife Offense . The spike bull elk head and antlers, a compound bow and the elk meat was seized as evidence. The elk meat will be processed then later donated to charity.