Hunter Charged With Illegal Kill of Popular Ellensburg Elk

SEATTLE (AP) — A Lewis County hunter is accused of illegally killing a bull elk known as "Bullwinkle." The elk had become a local celebrity in the Ellensburg area.

The Seattle Times reports 76-year-old entrepreneur Tod Reichert of Salkum faces criminal charges of unlawful hunting of big game in the second degree.

He is accused of shooting the elk known as Bullwinkle in a field where elk hunting is not allowed.

Fish & Wildlife officials say elk can't be hunted in that area because it's mostly private land and there were few bull elk there besides Bullwinkle and his buddies.

Reichert did not return a phone or email message. His Spokane attorney, Stephen Hormel, said he had no comment, other than his client has pleaded not guilty.