SIOUX FALLS S.D. (KELO) — A string of recent shootings of domestic elk at ranch in Crandell, South Dakota, has left the family that owns the ranch devastated.
The first bull elk was found Wednesday, Nov. 13, and with information provided from the public, the second bull elk was found dead on the evening of Thursday, Nov. 14. between the hours of 6 p.m. and Friday morning. The third elk that was shot was on the 21st of November and the third captive elk shot in three weeks.
Manager of Oak Gulch Elk Patrick Murphy said their is a lot of family history in the elk ranch.
“My father-in-law Barry Imsland was the one that started it, he started the Elk ranch, he got his first permit from the state in 1998, 22 years ago he was killed in a car accident,” Murphy said. “I took over, I wanted it to keep going for a remembrance of him.
Murphy said he works with the daughters of Imsland to help carry on his legacy.
“Its a tough time for us and our family,” he said. “He’s got three girls, they are pretty emotional right now, its their dad’s legacy basically, It’s just tough.”
Murphy said they have been working closely with the Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) and the Clark County Sheriffs Office.
“You know, we’ve, done everything to this point that I think we could possibly do to catch them, a lot of the local people are very upset about this because they go there all the time,” Murphy added.
The elk move freely about the ranch.
“Right away when this happened we thought that we should gate everything, but then I told them that’s not the reason he started this,” Murphy said.
Murphy said they are hopeful that they will eventually catch the shooter.
“We’re just kind of hoping justice will prevail and somebody will get turned in, that’s kind of why we raised the amount hoping that that might be an incentive for somebody,” Murphy said. “When people do stuff like this, they are gunna talk eventually, might not be now, might not be this year, but eventually they are gunna say something.”
Acording to the Clark County Sheriffs Office, the first elk was a breeding bull worth $7,500, the second elk that was shot was worth $4,500 and the young elk calf that was shot on the 21st was worth $1,800.
Murphy said they have received a lot of support from the community and hopes this is resolved soon.
“We’re just hoping it stops for sure,” Murphy said. “We’ve had so many people reach out with phone calls, texts, and stopping at the farm. They are just sickened by it, its a sad deal. Hopefully we can get it resolved soon, I can’t believe they just keep coming back.”
