According to a recent press release by the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW), game wardens arrested two men on June 1, in the Pinyon-Sulphur Spring mountain range between Eureka and Carlin for illegally killing a mule deer and possession of a stolen firearm.
With the assistance of the Eureka County sheriff's office, NDOW game wardens arrested Ricky Lee Linderman, 41, and Scott Andrew Griffith, 43, both of Bakersfield, Calif.
Game wardens discovered the carcass of a small buck deer with the hindquarters removed and the rest of the carcass left to waste.
Through a series of investigations, the game wardens were able to link the poached deer to Linderman and Griffith.
"This is the kind of crime that outrages sportsmen and non-sportsmen alike," said Rob Buonamici, chief game warden at the Nevada Department of Wildlife. "To kill an animal and deprive the sporting public of this animal is bad enough, but just leaving it to rot makes this type of poaching all that more outrageous."
Linderman was charged with killing or possessing a big game animal without a valid tag, wanton waste, hunting without license, and possession of wildlife during a closed season.
Bail was set at $7660.00.
Griffith was charged with killing or possessing big game without a valid tag, wanton waste, possession of stolen property, and being an ex-felon in possession of firearm.
His bail was set at $12,528.00.
Game wardens also seized Ford pickup truck, three rifles and five handguns as part of the investigation.
"Anytime a person illegally takes a big game animal, it leaves one fewer animal for honest sportsmen statewide," said Jerry Smith, game warden supervisor in Elko. Sportsmen who witness any wildlife crime should report it to Operation Game Thief by calling 1-800-992-3030.
Callers can remain anonymous and receive rewards.
