Arizona Game and Fish Investigating Poached Mule Deer

A mule deer was poached near Bagdad and the Arizona Game and Fish Department needs your help. According to AZGFD:

“The carcass, believed to be a buck in which only the hide and head were taken, was found March 21 in the Kitty Litter Mine area, about one mile from the Sycamore Trailer Park on Camp Wood Road near Bagdad.

“Evidence was collected at the scene, but help from the public will play a critical role in finding those responsible,” said Justin Espino, wildlife manager. “This is not the act of a hunter. Poaching is a crime. It is stealing wildlife from the citizens of Arizona. It is important for anyone with information to come forward and help Game and Fish bring those responsible to justice.”

Espino estimates the animal was shot by an undetermined method between March 14 and March 18.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call the department’s Operation Game Thief hotline at (800) 352-0700, or visit https://www.azgfd.com/ogt/, and refer to case #19-000601. Callers can remain anonymous upon request and may be eligible for a reward up to $1,500 for information that leads to an arrest in this case through the Operation Game Thief program.”