Buck deer poached on the Henry Mountains

The buck was probably a trophy-class animal

HANKSVILLE — The Division of Wildlife Resources is seeking information about the illegal killing of a large buck deer.

A large poached buck was found beneath a pile of branches, which were used by the perpetrator to conceal the crime.

The buck was shot and left to waste on the Henry Mountains in southeastern Utah sometime in late November or early December 2007. The mountains are one of two premium limited entry deer hunting units in Utah.

DWR officers found the buck's carcass in the Coyote Benches-Mud Springs area of the Henry Mountains. Whoever shot the buck took its antlers and skull plate. The rest of the buck was left to waste.

After taking the antlers and skull plate, the poacher or poachers covered the carcass with branches to try and hide it.

Officers don't know how big the buck's antlers were, but analysis of the deer's teeth places the age of the buck at about 7 years. A deer that old is a prime-age, trophy-class animal.

DWR officers say poaching is a crime that robs everyone in Utah, including hunters, those who enjoy watching wildlife and those who enjoy taking photographs of it. "Law-abiding sportsmen wait years to draw a permit to hunt on the Henry Mountains," says Casey Mickelsen, the DWR conservation officer in charge of the investigation. "Now they've lost the opportunity to hunt this fine animal during a future hunting season.

"And people aren't the only ones who lose. The deer herd has also been robbed of the fawns that this prime-age male might have sired."

A bison hunt was taking place on the Henry Mountains at the time the buck was poached. The DWR urges anyone with information about this incident to call the Utah Turn-in-a-Poacher Hotline at 1-800-662-DEER (3337). You can also call Mickelsen directly at (435) 820-6010.

A reward of $1,000 is being offered for information leading to the arrest and successful prosecution of the person or persons responsible for this crime.

If you provide information, your identity will be kept strictly confidential.