UTAH—Every year in Utah, a surprising amount of animals are hunted out of season. Last year alone, 1,238 animals were poached and now, the Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) in Utah needs help tracking down a poacher this year.

The Utah DWR received a tip from Kane County about a dead deer in a creek. This wouldn’t seem like something too strange, but, after further investigation, DWR officers found a bullet wound on the animal, behind the left shoulder, from what appeared to be a small caliber round.

Still in good shape, officers believed the kill to be fairly recent and that it probably occurred south of the location where it was found. “The deer was still growing its antlers at the time it was killed and it had the potential to become a trophy buck deer,” DWR Officer Wyatt Mecham said. “Illegal activities like this rob hunters and other wildlife enthusiasts of the opportunity to enjoy this deer.” 

Not only was this animal cut down before its time, but out of season and unauthorized hunting (poaching) like this has potentially dire consequences. Deer numbers and hunting permits are carefully regulated by the DWR so that those hunting for sport don’t throw off the delicate ecological balance in nature as has been done so many times before.

Though the carcass was found in Kane County, the poacher could have been from anywhere and the Department of Wildlife Resources needs the help of residents all over the state to track down the poacher:

Anyone with information regarding the illegal killing of this deer, or any other wildlife-related crimes in Utah, is encouraged to report it to DWR conservation officers in one of the following ways:

• By calling the UTiP Hotline at 800-662-3337

• The UTDWR Law Enforcement app

• By texting 847411

• Online through the DWR website; however, contact with an officer may be limited with this option

If you have information about this specific case, you can also contact Mecham directly at 801-386-1363. A reward may be available for information leading to the successful prosecution of those responsible and requests for confidentiality are respected.