Wednesday, December 18, 2024

DWR Conservation Officers Seek Information After 2 Buck Deer Illegally Killed in Iron County

Utah Division of Wildlife Resources conservation officers are seeking information from the public after two buck deer were illegally shot and killed in Iron County last month.

DWR conservation officers received a report about the first deer on Nov. 26. The deer had been shot by a rifle and left to waste in Parowan. It was a 22-inch, 3x3 buck deer, and investigators believe it was killed sometime between the evening of Nov. 24 and the morning of Nov. 25.

The report of the second deer was received on Dec. 1. When officers responded, they discovered a 23-inch, 3x3 buck deer that had been shot and killed south of Summit, an unincorporated community in east-central Iron County. This deer had also been killed with a rifle and left to waste. Investigators believe this deer was killed sometime between the evening of Nov. 29 and the morning of Nov. 30.

No deer hunts were taking place in either area at the time the animals were killed. The individuals involved in killing these deer could face a third-degree felony charge of wanton destruction of protected wildlife and waste of protected wildlife.

Anyone with information regarding the illegal killing of these two deer or any other wildlife is encouraged to report it to the DWR in one of the following ways:

Anyone with any information regarding the first case can also contact Sgt. Kody Jones at 435-691-3232. Anyone with information about the second case can contact Sgt. Josh Carver at 435-691-4167. A reward may be available for information leading to the successful prosecution of those responsible. Requests for confidentiality are respected.