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SANPETE COUNTY — Division of Wildlife Resources officials are asking for the public’s help in identifying the poacher who killed a buck one day before the general rifle deer hunt.
DWR officials received a tip about the illegal killing of a 3 by 3 buck deer on Oct. 17, the night prior to the opening day of the hunt, according to a news release. Conservation officers responded to the area and located a deer carcass. Officers determined the deer had been killed with a high-power rifle, likely from the road, the news release said.
The head had been removed and the body had been left along the C Canyon Ridge Road on North Skyline Drive.
DWR officials received another tip on Oct. 19 after a citizen found the head of the 3 by 3 buck in the same area. The head was wrapped in a game bag and was located by conservation officers a short distance from where the carcass had been found.
The poaching of the 3 by 3 buck was the eighth animal illegally killed and reported by DWR since Oct. 1. However, DWR Capt. Rick Olsen said the number of illegal animal killings have not necessarily increased since 2013, but more are being reported to the public. Olsen said DWR officers have received more tips from the public in connection with poaching cases.
Anyone with information about the poaching can contact the UTIP hotline at 1-800-662-3337. Rewards are available to anyone who provides information leading to the apprehension and successful prosecution of those responsible. The rewards funds come from violator-paid restitution money.
