The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) is offering a cash reward for information leading to the conviction of a hunter who illegally shot an elk in our area.

Authorities say they received reports that the elk had been shot on private property in the Sumner City Road area on Evansville Mountain, close to the border of Bledsoe County and Rhea County.

It was killed in the afternoon hours on Tuesday, November 28.

Rhea County Sheriff Mike Neal is matching the TWRA's $1,000 reward for a total of $2,000 for information about the poaching.

"After personally seeing the elk firsthand, I share the same outrage as everyone,” said Sheriff Neal. “There is no excuse for the extreme selfishness to eliminate such a rare animal and leave it to waste. Even the smallest detail may help. We are com

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