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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

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Hunters investigated for using aircraft to spot, hunt elk near Chewelah

A bull elk tries to get the attention of a cow elk in this file photo from 2012. (Larry Beckner / AP)
A bull elk tries to get the attention of a cow elk in this file photo from 2012. (Larry Beckner / AP)

HUNTING -- Two men are being investigated after witnesses reported them last fall for using a low-flying airplane to spot elk in the Chewelah area and relaying the information so hunters could zero in on the location and shoot at the animals.

The Spokesman-Review isn't publishing the names of the suspects at this early stage of the investigation, but the men won't be hunting in the state for awhile if charges are filed and they are found guilty.

It’s illegal to use an aircraft to “spot, locate or report the location of wildlife for the purpose of hunting” under Washington law.

Here's a story on the status of the case by S-R reporter Eli Francovich:



Rich Landers
Rich Landers joined The Spokesman-Review in 1977. He is the Outdoors editor for the Sports Department writing and photographing stories about hiking, hunting, fishing, boating, conservation, nature and wildlife and related topics.

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