Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is seeking information on four separate poaching cases across the state where game animals were shot and left to waste in the past weeks.
On Monday, agency officials reported a mule deer doe was shot and left to waste on state land southwest of Augusta.
Hunters found the doe during the weekend near Elk Creek Road and reported it to the local FWP warden, who determined it had been shot and killed where it was found.
“It’s clear that this deer was not shot by a legal hunter trying to lawfully fill their freezer,” FWP warden Per Wolfisberg said. “Instead, this is an intentional act of killing and wasting a game animal, and the person who committed this crime needs to be caught and held accountable.”
Last week, FWP officials in Region 1 announced a bighorn sheep ram was shot and left to waste near Highway 200 east of Thompson Falls.
The ram was party of a small, highly visible herd that residents and visitors to Thompson Falls have been watching throughout the season, FWP officials said in a press release. The ram was discovered on Nov. 10, and no meat or horns were taken from the animal.
Earlier this month, FWP put out additional press releases related to suspected poaching cases east of the Continental Divide.
On Nov. 11, a hunter spotted a dead elk on the Sun River Wildlife Management Area near Augusta. Wardens with FWP found a cow elk and two elk calves that had been shot and left to waste.
A special license is required to hunt antlerless elk on the Sun River WMA.
“These Sun River elk represent a unique and historical migratory elk herd in Montana,” FWP game warden Wolfisberg said. “Shooting and deliberately wasting three of them is disrespectful to not only the animals, but also to the citizens and hunters of Montana. We are asking anyone who may have seen or heard anything unusual in that area to contact us and help us catch the people who committed this crime.”
FWP wardens are also seeking information on a mule deer buck that was shot and left to waste in Black Eagle Park in Great Falls on Nov. 9. The investigation by wildlife officials determined the animal was likely shot in the upper part of the park near the pavilion, and died on the lower level near the baseball fields.
“This incident is especially concerning because it occurred in a public park where families frequently gather,” said FWP game warden Mike Tucker. “We take these crimes seriously and are asking anyone who may have seen or heard anything unusual that evening to contact us.”
Poaching cases are most often resolved following tips from the public. Anyone with information about any poaching cases is encouraged to visit tipmont.mt.gov, or call their local game warden. Informants may remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.
