Another buck deer poached on the Henry Mountains

Buck covered with branches to try and hide it

HANKSVILLE — Wildlife officers are looking for information about the poaching of another buck deer on the Henry Mountains in southeastern Utah.

Whoever killed the buck covered it with a pile of juniper boughs to try and hide it.

Photo by Paul Washburn

Less than two weeks ago, the Division of Wildlife Resources asked for the public's help in locating the person who killed a deer in the Coyote Benches-Mud Springs area of the Henry Mountains. Officers believe that buck was shot in late November.

Now another dead buck has been found near the Coyote Benches road. Just like the first deer, whoever killed this buck covered it with branches. The poacher removed the animal's skull plate and antlers. Then he or she left the rest of the animal to rot.

DWR conservation officer Paul Washburn believes this second buck was shot less than a week ago.

The Henry Mountains is one of only two premium limited entry deer units in Utah. Very few permits are issued to hunt this area. Those who draw a permit can hunt a trophy animal. But poachers are taking that opportunity away from legitimate sportsmen.

A reward is being offered for the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the poaching. The DWR is offering either $1,000 or a permit to hunt on the Henry Mountains this fall. An additional $5,000 is being offered by the sportsman's group Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife.

If you have information about this case, please call officer Paul Washburn at (435) 820-6016 or the Utah Turn-in-a-Poacher Hotline at 1-800-662-DEER (3337).

If you request it, your identity will be kept strictly confidential.