Public involvement critical in solving wildlife thrill killings

Last week, three deer were found shot and left to rot on private land near Grangeville, all within sight of a major road, according to a release from Idaho Department of Fish and Game.

The landowner discovered the deer early Thursday morning in the same pasture that held a hundred head of cattle. Since he checked his cattle before dark the night before, the deer were likely killed at night and probably with the use of a spotlight or vehicle headlights. Luckily, none of the cattle appear to have been injured.

This is just one of many recent cases that conservation officers for the Idaho Department of Fish and Game refer to as drive by thrill killings. The suspects were not sportsmen and they were not hunters. Besides breaking several laws, the individuals involved showed a total disregard for ethics, respect for wildlife and the landowner. The suspects are exactly the type of people who can give all hunters a bad name.

Increasing numbers of deer, elk, moose and bear have been shot and left to rot this fall.

"This is the worst year for waste cases I have seen in my 17 years as a conservation officer," says Roy Kinner, Sr. Conservation Officer from Grangeville. "Many hunters often complain about poachers who shoot and leave the meat of animals but many won't turn in the violators if some meat was taken. This is not hunting - it's just plain breaking the law."

In a separate incident on Nut Basin Road in Idaho County, Fish and Game officers recently found two mule deer does and one white-tailed doe shot and left to waste along a one mile stretch of road. No attempts were made to field dress or salvage any meat. Eleven spent brass cartridges of .30-06 and .22-250 caliber were found in the roadway at one of the sites.

On Nov. 3, Fish and Game officers discovered a doe and yearling whitetail deer shot and left to waste 40 yards from the Webb Ridge Road 10 miles south of Lewiston. Neither animal was field dressed and no meat was taken.

Wildlife officials from several states have found these types of killings often involve a competition between groups of kids for bragging rights. One case in Wisconsin involved as many as 34 deer shot and left to rot in one night. Many of the thrill killers have also been found to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs while engaging in these illegal activities.

Fish and Game depends on the eyes and the ears of honest and concerned citizens to report these types of illegal activities. Phone calls to the Citizens Against Poaching hotline (1-800-632-5999) or contact with a local conservation officer or sheriff's office are among the department's most effective enforcement tools. Witnesses are encouraged to report their observations as quickly as possible and write down as much detailed information as possible, such as vehicle license numbers and physical descriptions of the violators. All information is kept confidential and substantial awards are available if citations are issued.

"It's time that hunters stand up for what is right," said Kinner. "True, ethical hunters need to become part of the solution, not part of the problem."

Photo: Idaho Fish and Game Conservation Officer, Mark Hill, uses a metal detector to locate bullets from a doe and yearling white-tailed deer shot and left to waste near Webb Ridge Road south of Lewiston. Fish and Game has responded to a significant increase in the number of big game animals shot and left to waste this fall. (Photo by Mike Demick - IDFG)

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