Below is a Facebook post from the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. Fiocchi partnered with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation in 2026 to spread the word to try to stop poaching.
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) is offering a reward for information leading to the conviction of the person(s) responsible for illegally shooting an elk.
Authorities received reports regarding an elk that is believed to have been shot on private property in the Summer City Road area on Evansville Mountain in the afternoon hours of Nov. 18, 2025. The area is in the western portion of Bledsoe County near the Rhea County line.
Rhea County Sheriff Mike Neal is personally matching a $1,000 reward offered by TWRA for a total $2,000 reward for information leading to the conviction of responsible parties.
“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 committed to finding who did this and holding them accountable.”
Anyone with information should contact the TWRA Region III office at 931-484-9571. No further information is available at this time.
(Photo credit: Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency)