Game wardens seek information on poaching

Game wardens from the Nevada Department of Wildlife are looking for information on two animals found shot and left to waste a couple miles from each other near Cold Springs in the last two weeks.

"There are some very odd similarities between these two crimes, and we think they may be related," said NDOW Chief Game Warden Rob Buonamici. "This is the kind of case where just one tip could help us apprehend those responsible and put a stop to this senseless waste of Nevada's big game."

A mature mule deer buck was found Sunday by local residents who reported it to game wardens. The animal was completely gutted, skinned and the antlers taken, but all the meat was left to waste. It was found just off the Cold Springs exit, about a half mile east of Highway 395.

The antelope was found a few weeks earlier on Sept. 27. It was a mature buck antelope that was shot and left. The back straps and hind quarters were taken from this animal and the rest was left to rot on a ridge in Cold Springs near lower Red Rock Road. Game wardens suspect the animal was illegally killed, because the nearest legal open antelope season was at least two hours' drive away.

Both animals were found very shortly after being killed or dumped, so game wardens suspect someone locally may have something to do with the crime or have some knowledge of the two cases.

The investigation has not yielded enough information to determine if these cases are related, so Operation Game Thief is offering a $1,000 reward for information on each animal which leads to an arrest and conviction of those responsible. Call 1-800-992-3030 to report a wildlife violation.