Conservation Officers with the Ministry of Natural Resources are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying those responsible for shooting two bull elk in the vicinity of Mayo Lake Road, McArthurs Mills, approximately twenty minutes east of Bancroft.
On September 22, 2025, a hunter reported finding a deceased spike bull elk on a private property off Mayo Lake Road. A game camera previously sighted this same elk on September 13, 2025 (prior to the elk season opening) with part of an arrow in its right hind quarter. In addition, at a later time, a second larger bull elk was sighted running east across Mayo Lake Road with an arrow in its left hind quarter.
Investigating officers believe that both elk were shot with either a compound or cross bow prior to the open elk season in the vicinity of Mayo Lake Road, from an individual(s) without a 2025 elk tag.
This is a serious offence, and the ministry is committed to holding those responsible accountable.
If you have any information that could assist with the investigation, please contact the ministry’s TIPS line toll-free at 1-877-847-7667, or reach out to your local ministry office. You can also report anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS. For more information about unsolved cases, please visit ontario.ca/mnrftips.
