IRON COUNTY – The suspicious death of a deer found in the Shurtz Canyon area of Iron County has the Utah Division of Wildlife Services asking the public for any information they may have concerning the incident.
According to a news release issued by Utah DWR Wednesday, between Dec. 6 and Dec. 10, the injured deer was spotted by residents in the Shurtz Canyon area and appeared to have been shot in the abdomen. The deer was found dead on Dec. 11 and DWR was contacted.
“UDWR Officer Josh Carver investigated the buck and didn’t find any evidence of injuries consistent with rut wounds caused by another buck,” DWR officials said in the release.
“Residents in the area said they’d seen someone trespassing and spotlighting in the area late one night,” officials said, “and believe the deer may have been shot at that time.”
Due to the circumstances surrounding the incident, UDWR is asking anyone who may have anyone information regarding the incident to contact them at telephone 800-662-3337.
A reward may be available to those who provide information resulting in the apprehension of those responsible for the incident.
The Utah DWR is currently engaged in a massive patrol effort across the state to help guard herds of mule deer that congregate in certain ranges during the winter from poachers. These patrols will continue through the winter and end once the deer shed their antlers in the spring.
So far, 208 mule deer in Utah have been poached this year, according to DWR.
“The UDWR is thankful to all who are vigilant in watching out for Utah’s wildlife and who aid in the apprehension of wildlife violators,” officials said in the news release. “Without their help, officers in the state could not be as effective as they are.”
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