The Idaho Department of Fish and Game is investigating the wasting of a mule deer in the Slate Creek area of the Salmon River.
According to a news release, on the weekend of November 8th and 9th, a person or persons entered private property on the west-side of the Salmon River near Slate Creek without permission in order to kill a mature mule deer. Only the head, cape, and back straps were retrieved leaving the majority of the animal to waste.
Wasted Mule Deer (Photo Courtesy IDFG)
The location of the kill indicates that the shooter or shooters located the deer across the Salmon River from the Slate Creek Ranger Station and used a boat to retrieve their illegal parts. Several boats and steelhead fishermen were in the vicinity that weekend and Fish and Game is asking anyone who may have seen anything to contact them. It’s also possible that a taxidermist received the cape and head for taxidermy work, more than likely with a Unit 18 tag attached.
Citizens Against Poaching is offering a reward for information leading to the arrest of those responsible. Anyone having information about this poaching incident or others is encouraged to call the CAP hotline at 1 (800) 632-5999 or the IDFG Clearwater Region Office at (208) 799-5010. Anyone providing information can remain anonymous.
