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SANPETE COUNTY — The Division of Wildlife Resources is seeking the public's help in identifying and locating those responsible for illegally killing six deer including a trophy buck and some fawns.
The first poaching incident occurred on the night of Nov. 10 in Kane Valley near Ephraim, adjacent to the Black Hill Wildlife Management Area, DWR said. A total of four does and fawns were discovered lying in a farmer's field on Nov. 11 and the property owner contacted DWR.
Conservation officers investigated and determined that several of the deer had been shot in the head with a .22-caliber rifle, likely while they were looking into a spotlight or headlights. The animals were all left to waste in the field.
The second poaching incident occurred during the week of Thanksgiving on the South Hollow Wildlife Management Area near Mayfield, DWR said. A 24.5-inch four point buck was shot and left to waste.
"This trophy buck was shot during the rut, a time when deer are most vulnerable to poachers, in an area where many deer are visible from the roads and ATV trails," DWR said. "This very buck was counted by the local conservation officer during a post-season deer classification the week before it was illegally shot and killed."
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Number of animals illegally killed in Utah increases for 2nd consecutive year
For the second year in a row, the number of wildlife illegally killed in Utah has increased, causing the state to lose thousands of dollars in revenue.The last poaching incident also occurred during the week of Thanksgiving. Another buck was shot and left to waste north of Manti, DWR said. Investigators reported that the deer had been shot through the stomach with a high-powered rifle, then wandered into a farmer's field where it died as a result of the gunshot wound.
"All of these deer were illegally shot and left to waste during a time of year when they are struggling to survive the harsh winter months," DWR said. "Each of these deer were shot on or near wintering areas which are critical for big game during this time of year. These areas provide excellent wildlife viewing opportunities for sportsmen and wildlife viewers alike; however, they also provide easy opportunities for those people who illegally rob the citizens of our state through poaching activities."
Thursday, DWR announced that conservation officers will begin conducting massive patrols on winter ranges to help protect the deer during their vulnerable season. The patrols will continue until the deer shed their antlers in the spring.
For the second year in a row, the number of wildlife illegally killed in Utah has increased, causing the state to lose thousands of dollars in revenue, according to DWR.
Anyone with information about any of these poaching incidents can call the UTIP hotline at 1-800-662-3337 or email the information to toturninapoacher@utah.gov. Rewards are often available for information leading to the successful prosecution of wildlife crimes and tipsters can remain anonymous.
