Date and location of photo unspecified | Photo by Brent Stettler, courtesy of Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, St. George News

ST. GEORGE – A poaching incident in Kane County has wildlife officials asking the public for help.

Nearly two weeks ago the sighting of a dead deer along the side of state Route 9 that looked suspicious was reported to officials with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources.

“The deer was a 3×4 buck. A thorough examination of the deer revealed that it had been shot through the spine,” DWR officials said in a press release Thursday. “This is believed to have occurred on the second day of the general season rifle hunt, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016.”

Based on findings from their investigation, DWR officials believe the buck was shot and killed on the East Zion Cooperative Wildlife Management Unit.

“Investigators believe the deer was shot from or near Highway 9 and that whoever shot the deer then realized it was on a CWMU, and left without approaching the buck,” officials said.

Anyone with information about this case is encouraged to call the Utah Turn in a Poacher hotline at 800-662-3337.

A reward may be available for information leading to the identification and successful prosecution of those involved with the poaching of this deer.

Prior to the general rifle buck deer hunt in Utah that ran Oct 22-30, DWR officials asked the public for aid in keeping an eye out for anything that looks amiss.

“We need your help,” said DWR Capt. Mitch Lane. “We need you to keep your eyes and ears open while you’re enjoying time in the outdoors. If you see something that doesn’t seem right, please let us know.”

Some of the DWR’s most significant cases have started because someone supplied a tip of possible violations, said Rick Olson, DWR’s law enforcement section chief.

If hunters see a clear violation of the law, incidents of poaching or something that just doesn’t seem right, they are advised to contact DWR. Confronting the parties involved in the intentional violation is not encouraged.

DWR offers the following ways people can report violations:

• If you see a wildlife violation occur, calling Utah’s Turn in a Poacher (UTiP) hotline is the best way to get an officer to the scene.
• The hotline – 1-800-662-DEER (3337) – is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
• If you can’t remember the UTiP number but you’re hunting or fishing at the time the violation occurs, pull out your Utah hunting or fishing license or permit. The number is written on the license or permit.
• If you can’t remember the UTiP number, and you don’t have a hunting or fishing license or permit with you at the time the violation occurs, you can also call the nearest police department or sheriff’s office. The office will send a DWR officer or another law enforcement officer to the scene.
• Hunters can also send information via email to [email protected].
• Supplying the GPS coordinates of the area where the incident occurred is also advised.

In Southern Utah, poaching incidents were recently reported in Iron and Beaver counties. Similar incidents were reported on the Arizona Strip in May and August.

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @MoriKessler

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