Mule Deer Poached; Information Sought

Editor's note: the electronic version of this release is accompanied by photos of the poached mule deer. Fish and Game is seeking help from the public to bring a mule deer poacher to justice. Late Thursday evening (December 19) or Friday morning, a person or persons shot and wounded a three by four mule deer buck on the east side of Lake Lowell. "The bullet hit the buck just forward of the pelvis," Fish and Game conservation officer Dave Saindon noted. Mortally wounded, the deer struggled into a residential backyard off of Greenhurst Road where it died late Friday morning. By the time it was discovered, the meat had spoiled. "The poacher not only stole a nice mule deer buck from the public, but he or she also wasted it," Saindon said. Evidence was collected at the scene, but Saindon would like to visit with anyone who might have knowledge of the poaching incident. "That area receives a great deal of vehicle traffic and I'm hopeful that someone witnessed this poaching incident," Saindon said. "We have some excellent evidence, but any additional information would certainly help with this case." Citizens Against Poaching (CAP) is offering a reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the poacher. Persons with information regarding this case or any wildlife violation are encouraged to call the CAP Hotline toll free at 1-800-632-5999 or Fish and Game's Southwest Region office in Nampa at 465-8465. All calls are confidential and callers can remain anonymous.