Two men have been arrested on firearms charges after allegedly shooting a bull elk on a logging road in a remote area of Vancouver Island.
Nootka Sound RCMP say officers were responding to a report of an elk having been shot and killed near Gold River just after 8:30 a.m. Monday
Witness information led them to pull over a suspect vehicle seen leaving the area where the elk had been shot.
Two men, both residents of the Island, were taken into custody and held for a bail hearing.
Police announced Wednesday that Xiao Wu, 34, and Song Zhang, 51, have been charged with possession of a loaded restricted firearm, unauthorized possession or a restricted firearm and restricted ammunition as well as four counts of careless use of a firearm.
The elk was shot in an archery hunting-only region and both men could face additional charges under B.C.’s Wildlife Act if it’s determined they are responsible, according to RCMP.
They were both released from custody on strict conditions and will make their next court appearance Jan. 15, 2016.
RCMP reminded anyone who sees illegal hunting to call local police or the B.C. Conservation Officer Service hotline at 1-877-952-7277.
