Image: elk_tag_sheriff

Minnesota DNR is suing a sheriff claiming he fabricated an “elk possession tag” for a farmer who illegally shot an elk. (Photo by Canvan-Images)

Minnesota conservation officials have sued a northwestern Minnesota sheriff on allegations that he fabricated an “elk possession tag” for a farmer who killed the animal near his house. The sheriff also faces possible charges.

The Star Tribune reports that the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) claims that Kittson County Sheriff Matt Vig not only concocted the document but told Carl Christopherson — who killed the elk days before getting the tag — that he would not be charged for illegally taking the animal.

The suit is requesting that the court bar Vig or anyone else with the Sheriff’s Office from issuing these permits. It says only the DNR can legally grant the right to hunt and possess wild animals in Minnesota.

In addition, the state Bureau of Criminal Apprehension said after investigating Vig and the farmer, it turned over its findings to the Kittson County Attorney’s Office for consideration of charges. According to court records, neither of the men have yet been charged.

Elk are scarce in Minnesota, so winning a DNR license to hunt elk through a lottery is a coveted prize and can only be granted once in a hunter’s lifetime.

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According to the DNR’s latest count, there are 233 elk concentrated in three herds in northern Minnesota, including animals that roam back and forth into Manitoba. Between 5 and 20 elk are killed by hunters each season.

In the suit, the DNR said it learned in early April about the elk being shot and the sheriff “was issuing permits to take or possess elk.”

After being contacted by a conservation officer, Vig then wrote a detailed report and provided it to DNR.

According to the report, obtained Friday by the Minnesota Star Tribune:

On Jan. 10, Vig received a complaint from Christopherson about elk coming on his farmland east of Lancaster and eating his hay, beet pulp and seed crops. Christopherson said he’s been constantly chasing the elk off his land, but they’ve been returning for years.

The farmer said he was forced to grow his alfalfa crop several miles away because of the elk problem.

“I informed Carl that he should have the right to protect his property from animals,” Vig wrote. “I told Carl that shooting an elk may be an option to protect his property from damages.”

On Jan. 31, Christopherson informed Vig that he shot and killed one of about 15 elk that were in his yard eating beet pulp meant for his cattle. The farmer said another 40 elk were munching on hay bales.

“Carl said he was frustrated and upset,” Vig wrote. “He grabbed his .223 rifle, opened up his kitchen window and shot one of several elk that were walking by his house. He shot the elk in the head, which died on impact.”

Vig wrote that he told Christopherson he could keep the elk and process it without being charged with a crime.

According to his report, Vig gave Christopherson what he labeled an “elk possession tag” allowing him to keep the venison. Full-grown elk in Minnesota can reach weights nearing a half-ton.

According to the suit, the DNR is turning to the court for a resolution because of ongoing tension between the DNR and Vig “on the question of whether [Vig and the Sheriff’s Office] possess the authority to issue permits for the taking or possession of elk and other wild animals.”

Under Minnesota law, the Department of Agriculture can provide financial compensation to farmers for crop or fence damage caused by wild elk.