GAME WARDENS REPORT SHARP INCREASE IN WASTED GAME ANIMALS

Contact: Lucy Diggins-Wold 307-875-3223, Nick Roberts 307-789-3285        November 12, 2014

 

GAME WARDENS REPORT SHARP INCREASE IN WASTED GAME ANIMALS

 

EVANSTON—Game Wardens with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department documented a sharp increase in the number of wasted or abandoned game animals in the Evanston area this past hunting season. In the Evanston area alone, some nine buck mule deer and one doe pronghorn antelope were abandoned and or wasted between October 3 and October 22. The trend is both disappointing and unethical and game wardens are asking for your help in solving these poaching cases.

            Evanston Game Warden Nick Roberts, Green River Game Warden Dillon Herman, Mountain View Game Warden Allen Deru and game warden Andy Countryman spent most of the mule deer hunting season following up on multiple STOP Poaching reports in southwest Wyoming, many of which remain unsolved. The nine mule deer and doe pronghorn antelope were poached on the Bear River and Medicine Butte Hunter Management Areas, Crompton Reservoir, Carter Creek Gas Plant, and the Amoco Sulphur Haul road. Anyone hunting in these areas in October who thinks they might have seen suspicious activity is encouraged to call the STOP Poaching number or their local game warden.

            “Overall, we saw very good compliance with the new three-point or better antler restriction taking effect this season with only a few observed or reported violations,” warden Nick Roberts said. “However, it is believed that several of these deer were knowingly abandoned because they did not meet the three-point restriction. Some of the deer would have met the antler point restriction, but were not recovered. These deer appeared to have been shot with a well-placed shot and would most likely not have gone far before dying. Every hunter is responsible for making a reasonable effort to recover any game animal they take or attempt to take. Some hunters are not following up on their shots and some are taking long-range shots they should not be taking. Hunters are strongly encouraged to follow up every shot and not assume they missed if the animal does not immediately drop.”

            The mule deer and pronghorn antelope were all left in various stages of decomposition. Some of the animals were shot in vital areas, which were lethal shots, but the animal was never field dressed. Some animals were partially field dressed and only the back straps, tenderloins and or heads taken. The pronghorn was field dressed and hung in a tree near the Amoco Sulphur Haul Road, but none of the meat was ever taken. The game might have been left because it was a two-point buck deer killed in a three-point only hunting area, the shooter did not follow up his or her shot, the shooter did not put enough effort into recovering the game they shot at, or the shooter wanted a larger animal.

            “Wyoming statute states that no person shall take and leave, abandon or allow any game animal, or edible portion, to intentionally or needlessly go to waste,” Roberts said. “The waste of these animals represents the loss of a valuable public resource that could have fed many families throughout the area. We understand that every hunter can make a mistake and are willing to work with those that take responsibility for their mistake. However, when a hunter chooses to allow an animal to needlessly spoil to avoid taking responsibility for a violation, they show a gross negligence for the public’s wildlife.”

          Anyone with information on these or any wildlife violation may also call the Stop Poaching Hotline at 1-877-WGFD-TIP (1-877-943-3847). Tips may be reported to Evanston Game Warden Nick Roberts 307-789-3285 or online at wgfd.wyo.gov Tips may also be reported to the Green River Game and Fish Office at-1-307-875-3223. Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $5,000 if the information leads to a conviction.

~WGFD~

Photos available upon request. Please contact Game Warden Nick Roberts 307-789-3285