On July 6, 2013, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Officer Josh Carver received information about a poached deer near the town of Alton, Utah. The large 27-inch mule deer was killed sometime around July 4 and was reported on July 6. No meat or antlers were removed from the large mule deer buck. While investigating the poached buck deer, Officer Carver found a second 29-inch mule deer killed within the same timeframe. The suspects cut the head off and hung it in a tree — no meat was taken.
It was determined that both trophy mule deer were shot and left to waste. The deer were killed sometime between July 4–5. Both deer are considered trophy status and were shot within 800 yards of each other. These shootings occurred on the Paunsaugunt limited-entry deer unit.
The poached bucks’ antlers were in velvet and measured over seven inches at the base. The large mule deer were not done growing, and the antlers had just started to branch. Evidence was collected at the scene.
Information leading to the successful prosecution for Wanton Destruction of Protected Wildlife in this case would qualify for a Poaching Reported Reward permit on the Paunsaugunt limited-entry deer unit. In addition, Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife has offered a reward of up to $5,000 to anyone with information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the individual(s) responsible.
Anyone with information related to the illegal killing of these animals, or any other, is encouraged to contact the UTiP Hotline at 1-800-662-3337. Rewards are available and requests for confidentiality are respected.