Yakima County Man Sentenced For Elk Trafficking

A Yakima County man has been found guilty of illegal elk trafficking.  Back in in 2020, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife officials received a tip about a man who was trafficking a large number of elk.

Braden F. Tahkeal, 52, allegedly trafficked as many as 42 elk, selling the animals in the Portland-Vancouver area via online chat groups.  Investigators say black market prices for elk can range from $800 to $1,000, with large bull elk with trophy antlers selling for much more.

Tahkeal was sentenced last week in Kittitas County Superior Court.  He was sentenced to 14 days in jail with an option for home confinement, and is required to pay a fine of $2,000 to the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation as well as $5,000 fine to WDFW.

“Unregulated economic markets for game and non-game wildlife have lasting negative impacts, as traffickers target specific types of wildlife at times when they are most vulnerable,” said WDFW Police Captain Brad Rhoden. “We appreciate the hard work and dedication of the Kittitas County Prosecutor’s Office on this and other fish and wildlife cases.” 

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