THIRD WINTER RANGE MULE DEER POACHED IN WESTERN WYOMING; G&F ASKS PUBLIC FOR HELP

PINEDALE – At least three mule deer bucks have been illegally killed in the last month on western Wyoming winter range with the discovery of a carcass Dec. 21 on the north end of the “Mesa,” southwest of Pinedale.

The Game and Fish Department discovered the mature buck with its antlers sawed off.

On Dec. 10, another mature mule deer buck -- minus antlers -- was discovered in Wildcat Canyon north of LaBarge. The third deer was a 4-by-4 buck with a 24-inch spread discovered Nov. 22 in Brodie Draw west of Daniel.

“Obviously, we end our hunting seasons when we do to protect these animals during the winter months when they are more vulnerable,” says the G&F’s Jackson/Pinedale Warden Coordinator Scott Edberg. “People should be outraged by this blatant disregard for our wildlife.”

Thousands of mule deer from the Sublette and Wyoming Range deer herds endure winter in the Pinedale-Big Piney-LaBarge area. Deep snows force big game animals to lower elevations making them more vulnerable, not just to poachers, but also to vehicle collisions and harassment by winter recreationists.

In recent years, the G&F has focused more attention on mule deer winter ranges, but public help is always needed. “Obviously, we do not have the personnel to be everywhere, all the time, so we rely on reports from people who are out there,” says Edberg. “There are actually quite a few people out there watching the deer and their reports of suspicious activity can really help us.”

Edberg encourages citizens to be on the lookout for the following poacher profiles:

-- Out of state vehicles with evidence of travel in the countryside – often sport utility vehicles or pickups with toppers. Violators frequently stay in motels.

-- Presence of camping, hunting or outdoor equipment.

-- Firearms, spotlights, scanners or night vision equipment.

-- Folks claiming to be in the area to hunt coyotes or photograph deer.

-- Vehicles traveling in rural areas during the early morning, evening or late at night.

-- Blood or hair on tailgates, doors, clothes.

Anyone with information about these crimes or any wildlife violation, should call the Stop Poaching hotline at (800) 442-4331. Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward if the information leads to a conviction. Up to $1,000 is being offered for information on these winter range crimes.

-WGFD-
 

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