Montana game wardens are investigating several cases of poached animals found discarded, highlighting a troubling end to the hunting season. Among the incidents, four whitetail bucks were discovered abandoned on Bureau of Land Management land between Bridger and Belfry, with only their heads removed. This illegal activity has prompted concerns from Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP).
State law prohibits wasting any animal parts suitable for food and dumping animal remains. Nearby, three turkey carcasses were also discovered. These deer, located in the Cub Creek area on Dec. 6, were believed to be killed at the close of the hunting season.
In Region 1, FWP wardens are probing the shooting of a white-tailed deer along Eastside Road near Troy, Lincoln County. This animal is thought to have been shot on Dec. 5, post-season. Furthermore, in Region 3 near Toston, an investigation is underway into a bull elk shot on Nov. 30.
“Game wardens are looking for information about a hunting party who harvested and removed a bull elk on Sunday, Nov. 30, which was the last day of the general season,” an FWP press release said. “In the same area, wardens found an untouched carcass of a second bull elk. FWP game wardens believe the hunting party that harvested and removed the elk on Nov. 30 may have information related to the unclaimed elk.”
The unclaimed elk was located near Bonneville Power Administration transmission lines, close to the Bureau of Land Management access road known as Dandy Road, between Johnny’s Gulch Road and North Fork of Lone Mountain Road.
For those with tips on poaching incidents, contact a local game warden, details available at tipmont.mt.gov.
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