An angler in the Kanab Creek area by the east fork of the Sevier River discovered the dead deer and did a little investigative police work himself after stumbling across the submerged animal. Noticing the animals prominent antlers, which are still in development this time of year, the angler was curious to determine if there was some sort of odd cause of death to this potential bruiser.
What he found was a gunshot wound above the buck’s shoulder from what looked to be a small caliber firearm. The fisherman alerted the authorities after suspecting foul play, given the fact that the state’s archery season doesn’t get underway until the middle of August.
Utah officials descended on the scene of the crime, spurring a full investigation into the now confirmed case of poaching. It is believed that the deer was killed somewhere between June 10 and June 16 but it remains unclear if the animal was shot nearby or hurried down the river by way of the strong current.
”The deer was still growing its antlers at the time it was killed, and it had the potential to become a trophy buck deer. Illegal activities like this rob hunters and other wildlife enthusiasts of the opportunity to enjoy this deer,” DWR conservation officer Wyatt Mecham said in a statement.
In a state that saw an 11% increase in poaching cases last year, you can bet officials are hot on the trail of the potential poachers. Utah officials are asking the public for any information that could assist in the ongoing investigation.
