Utah wildlife officials are investigating the killing of elk by bowhunting at Park City Mountain

A bowhunter killed an elk on Park City Mountain in late September, state wildlife officials said, indicating Tuesday that the investigation is ongoing.

A spokesman for the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, Faith Heaton Jolley, said conservation officials were notified on Sept. 26 of a moose carcass at the resort. A department officer went to Park City Mountain the next day and found the carcass.

Jolley said the moose's head had been removed when the officer arrived and “all of the meat was harvested and not wasted.”

She said the Park City Mountain area is within an area designated as a unit for extensive bowhunting for elk. The elk was killed within the extended archery season, she said.

However, Park City Mountain is private property, she noted.

The resort outlined a ban on hunting on the property in a prepared statement.

“Park City Mountain is located on private property and hunting is prohibited at the resort year-round. This is prohibited for the protection of our guests and employees and is also consistent with Park City Township ordinances that apply throughout the property,” the statement said.

Park City Mountain also said, “Prohibition notices are posted at key entrances to the property, including access points along Mid Mountain Trail, King Road, Willow Draw, Jupiter Peak and Pinecone Ridge.”

An initial report to Park City police said the carcass was found along the route of the Silverlode Express lift, which is located in the mid-mountain area of ​​the resort.

The police department occasionally receives reports of hunters on mountain resort property or in community open spaces. There has long been concern about the possibility of an accidental shootout between a hunter and people in the countryside.

Jolley said the Division of Wildlife Resources recommends wearing orange or other fluorescent colors when mountain biking or hiking in places with active hunting activities.