ST. GEORGE – A poaching incident on the Arizona Strip last month has the Arizona Game and Fish Department asking the public for help in finding the perpetrator.
The incident is believed by investigators to have occurred between July 22-25 and involved the illegal taking of a mule deer buck out of season, according to a press release.
The buck’s carcass was found about 20 miles south of St. George, in an area known as Low Mountain.
Authorities believe the deer was shot from Bureau of Land Management Road 1022. After shooting the deer, the party responsible left the carcass to waste.
“Poaching is a serious crime that impacts every sportsman and woman within the state of Arizona,” said Luke Thompson, AZGFD Region 2 field supervisor. “Poaching robs all Arizonans of their valuable wildlife resources. This is not the act of a hunter. It’s a crime that can likely be solved with one tip that can help us bring those responsible to justice.”
The carcass was found 4 miles from where a mule deer doe was also found poached in May. Investigators do not yet know if the incidents are related, according to the press release.
The doe was also illegally taken out of season in the area of Low Mountain. Investigators believe the doe was killed in a remote area accessible from a gypsum mine located off Interstate 15.
While some meat was removed from the animal, much of the carcass was left to waste.
Anyone with information about the case can call the AZGFD’s Operation Game Thief Hotline toll free at 800-352-0700 or use the online form at www.azgfd.gov/thief.
Callers may remain confidential upon request. Callers are asked to provide case no. 16-002521 when calling.
A reward of up to $1,000 may be available for information leading to the arrest of the poaching party.
Recently a Cedar City man was arrested in connection with a poaching incident out of Lincoln County, Nevada.
The alleged poacher killed a bull elk near Pioche, Nevada, in 2015. In that case the poacher took the head of the elk and left the rest to rot.
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @MoriKessler
Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2016, all rights reserved.
Wildlife is always endangered by the act of some pathetic Real Low Life
Poachers are the lowest of low. You are a close second. Get off the dope son, it’s done made you stupid.
You’re a close first. !!!!! Ha ha ha ha ha now that’s funny stuff right there
GO RAIDERS !!! GO LADYBUG !!! ♡♡♡