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Editor's Note: Some photos in the gallery may be considered graphic to some viewers.SANPETE COUNTY — Division of Wildlife Resources officers are asking for the public's help in locating the poachers responsible for illegally killing a doe and buck deer during September.
The first poaching occurred during the first week of September on private property near Sterling, Sanpete County, according to DWR. The landowner contacted DWR conservation officers after discovering a buck deer had been illegally killed and left to waste on his farm. The poachers had illegally trespassed on the farmer's property and driven a vehicle over his cut and harvested hay, damaging the crop, DWR said.
The investigating officer discovered the buck had been illegally shot and killed with a rifle before Labor Day, during the general archery season. The poacher only took the antlers and left the meat to waste.
"Illegally killing the deer and wasting the carcass robbed the archery hunters of an opportunity to legally harvest this deer and keep the meat," DWR said.
The second poaching occurred between Sept. 10 and 11 on Gentry Mountain in Emery County, DWR said. A doe mule deer was discovered near a horse corral in the McCadden Hollow area. Conservation officers discovered it had been shot with a broadhead-tipped arrow and was killed during the end of the general-season archery buck hunt, when it is only legal to kill buck deer.
DWR Captain Mitch Lane said conservation officers are spread quite thin throughout the state and often need help from the public in identifying and locating poachers.
"We need your help," Lane said. "We need you to keep your eyes and ears open while you're enjoying time in the outdoors. If you see something that doesn't seem right, please let us know."
"Even if what you saw doesn't look like a big deal to you, let us know about it," DWR Captain Rick Olson said. "Some of our most significant cases started when someone called us with a small tip that led us to more information."
Olson said if you see something suspicious, you shouldn't confront the person who might be committing a violation. Instead, get their description, a license plate number and GPS coordinates if possible and contact DWR immediately. People can either call the hotline number at 1-800-662-3337 or email the information to turninapoacher@utah.gov.
Rewards are available for information leading to the successful prosecution of wildlife crimes and tipsters can remain anonymous.
Contributing: Jed Boal
