ELY, Nev. (AP) — State game wardens are investigating the illegal killing of a bull elk in eastern Nevada.

The Nevada Department of Wildlife said Monday the elk was shot in White Pine County earlier this month along U.S. Highway 50 about 40 miles east of Ely near the turnoff for Mt. Hamilton and the Illipah campground.

Game wardens believe the animal was killed sometime between the afternoon of Oct. 5 and the morning of Oct. 6.

Chief Game Warden Tyler Turnipseed says illegally killing of a big game animal without a valid tag is a Class E felony.

He says they have very few leads in the case and are asking for the public's help to track down the criminal responsible.

Anyone with information should call Operation Game Thief at 800-992-3030.