GREAT FALLS — Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks is investigating the discovery of a mule deer buck that was shot and beheaded.
According to a news release from FWP, the deer was shot and its head was cut off the night of November 11. The carcass was found along Highway 89 about five miles north of Bynum in Teton County.
FWP is asking anyone with information about the incident to call 1-800-TIPMONT. Callers are kept confidential and a reward is possible.
FWP says that wildlife crimes like this one are often solved because of leads provided by the public.
The FWP website provides the following information about poaching:
Poaching is the illegal killing of fish or wildlife. It can include illegal killing of fish or wildlife:
- for commercial trade
- for ego gratification
- in closed areas, during closed times, or taking more than the law allows
Poachers:
- reduce recreational opportunities for law abiding anglers, hunters, wildlife watchers, and other outdoor enthusiasts
- kill and waste Montana game animals, threatened and endangered species, and even nongame animals
- target Montana’s fish and wildlife resource for personal profit
- Poaching robs law abiding hunters of game and fish, businesses and taxpayers of revenues generated by hunting, fishing, and wildlife viewing recreation, and it denies many other Montanans the ability to enjoy seeing healthy, mature fish and wildlife populations.