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FWP official discusses Whitefish deer poaching cases

Posted: Nov 1, 2012 10:28 AM by Tara Oster - KAJ News
Updated: Nov 1, 2012 10:18 AM


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WHITEFISH- Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks officials are still looking for information on an extensive poaching case in the Whitefish area where, in the past two years, at least 19 deer have been killed in the same fashion.

Deer killed by a poacher, or poachers, have all been shot late at night on some back country roads.

"We just have not been able to get good information on the person or persons that are doing this. They're obviously shooting whitetail deer and leaving them to waste," FWP's John Fraley explained.

Many of the deer that were poached were killed off Twin Bridges Road and Farm to Market Road near Whitefish. In many of these cases the deer were simply killed and just left to rot.

FWP officials say they aren't sure if each of the 19 instances are related, but they've all occurred under similar circumstances.

"And it's in that same area, those different rural roads. So there could be a connection; maybe, maybe not; but we're hoping someone will find it in their hearts to tell us if they know anything about it," Fraley said

Antlers were taken in some cases, and Fraley says the incidents are more than simply killing a deer.

"It's just the kind of thing that makes sportsmen and sportswomen really angry because the animal is going to waste, and it's not taken legally, and it just seems to be spiteful. There doesn't seem to be any explanation for it so that's why we're hoping we can solve this."

Fraley added that poaching essentially is stealing wildlife from the public.

A significant reward of $4,450 is being offered for tips that help authorities solve the riddle. Anyone with information can call 1.800.TIP.MONT.

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