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Additional Resources • ISDA report This is the official Idaho State Deparment of Agriculture report on the elk carcasses dumped outside Rulon Jones' ranch Photos Available There are 9 photos for this article. CLICK HERE to view.  12/4/2006 The Rulon Jones domestic elk shooting operation in southeast Idaho had been dumping unprocessed elk carcasses just outside its fences on Idaho Department of Lands property. A total of ten elk carcasses was discovered by a hunter in mid-October and reported to the Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG). On Oct. 22, two IDFG personnel and the person who reported the animals inspected the remains of the elk that, according to IDFG personnel, had been at that location for at least two weeks. The antlers had been removed and several had apparently been caped (the hide from the head and neck to the shoulders for mounting purposes) but, in the estimation of the IDFG personnel, little else. “It was very obvious that these were dumped, nearly full bodied and wasted.” said Tom Lucia, IDFG. “Large sections of flesh still on the front quarters, ribs and some rear quarters had a lot of meat on them still.” Lucia estimates that, when the elk were dumped, the local scavengers, coyotes and bears had a feast, but plenty of examples of rotted flesh and hide remained to deduct that the elk were, “probably pretty much whole, save for the antlers, ivory and some capes.” Some of the bones and carcass parts were scattered by other animals but, as evidenced by pictures provided to Wild Idaho News, many were still piled within feet of the Jones property fence. The elk were obviously domestic according to Lucia, a veteran conservation officer with the IDFG office in Pocatello. “The hoofs we found clearly show that these elk were domestic.” Lucia said. The hoofs of domestic elk are generally much longer and less worn from lack of movement, unlike wild elk which may move several miles a day in mountainous terrain. Because the elk were believed to be domestic, no violation for waste of game could be assessed by the IDFG. Lucia then contacted the Idaho State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) on Oct. 25 to report a possible violation of state code for improper disposal of dead domestic cervidae. State law requires that all domestic cervidae remains must be buried with at least two feet of overburden, or soil, within 72 hours. Lucia stated that it was apparent that no attempt was made to bury the carcasses. Attempts to get to the site by ISDA livestock inspectors on Oct. 27 were thwarted by bad roads due to recent rain and snow. On Oct. 27 permission was given to the ISDA personnel to cross the Jones property. When Jones asked why the need to cross his property, ISDA investigator Kelly Mortenson explained the need for the investigation. Jones claimed he instructed his ranch helpers to bury all remains but one of the helpers had asked about using the remains for bear bait. Jones asked about the dead cervidae rules and Mortenson said he would mail a copy of the rules to Jones. ISDA field inspectors arrived at the Jones property to inspect the remains on Oct. 31. The ISDA field report states the carcasses were completely gone - save for some elk hair. According to the ISDA field report, the case is closed and no further action or follow-up is needed by the ISDA. ISDA Deputy Administrator John Chatburn said although the report says the case is closed the case is still being reviewed for possible action. In public testimony at the Bingham County Planning and Zoning hearing in September for a special use permit for Jones’s shooting operation, Jones testified he was fully aware of all the requirements and rules to run the operation as per state law. He was specifically asked about similar violations of unburied carcasses inside his Utah shooting pen. Jones responded at that time he would comply as best he could. Jones began shooting elk at the property prior to obtaining a special use permit from Bingham County and has continued shooting operations even though the permit was denied. Repeated calls from WIN to Jones requesting more information and comments went unreturned. |
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