Officers with the NC Wildlife Resources Commission are still seeking information from the public about the gunshot deaths of three elk.

A bull elk and a cow were found dead near Mount Sterling Road in Haywood County, just outside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park around May 18. About two weeks later, they found a pregnant cow elk about 150 yards away.

Forensic tests show the bull elk was mortally wounded by a .22 caliber firearm, the cow elk was shot in the neck with birdshot from a shotgun and an undetermined gunshot led to the death of the pregnant cow elk.

Sgt. Andrew Helton said several people living in the area spoke of seeing the three elk traveling together, leading him to believe they were all shot at the same time. He said the pregnant cow was able to travel a little further ...