Nine illegally killed mule deer have been recovered in the state of Nevada since September and state wildlife officials are reaching out to the public for help. The nine deer were killed in two separate instances and as of now, officials do not believe the two incidents are related.
Over a three week period in September, eight mule deer were illegally killed and found by game wardens in the western slope of Nevada’s Spring Mountains. The animals were left to rot -some missing antlers and small portions of meat- but most were left intact, violating the state’s laws against wasteful hunting.
The Department immediately offered a $3,000 reward through its Operation Game Thief program and has since, unfortunately, had to add another reward after another carcass was uncovered about three weeks ago.
Marking the ninth mule deer left to waste in 2016, game wardens uncovered another animal, this time with the head partially removed, just east of the Rose Valley on November 28.
“We’ve had far too many animals left to rot this year,” said Tyler Turnipseed, chief game warden with NDOW. “As with the last case, we’ve found no leads to the shooter, and we need the public’s help if we’re going to put a stop to this senseless waste. This is a big, beautiful buck that any legal hunter would be proud to tag during a legal season.”
Big game poaching in the state of Nevada is a felony and the department expects the most recent kill to carry much higher civil penalties given the trophy-nature of the buck killed.
To report wildlife crime, sportsmen and members of the public can call OGT at (800) 992-3030. Follow Turnipseed on Twitter for the most up to date information on investigations @Chief_GW_NV.