Reward offered for Petrolia deer poaching information

BILLINGS — Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is offering a reward for information about 14 mule deer that were shot illegally east of Petrolia Lake in Petroleum County over this past weekend.

FWP Warden Lee Burroughs of Lavina said someone shot the bucks, does and fawns from the county road late Saturday night or early Sunday morning. Twelve deer apparently died immediately. One fawn was unable to stand up, but lived for nearly 24 hours before it died. One doe was crippled by gunfire, but managed to run away.

All 13 dead deer were left in a field next to the county road, Burroughs said.

Under Montana law, it is illegal to shoot from a roadway, kill deer outside of published seasons, shoot on private property without landowner permission or waste any part of a game animal that is defined as “suitable for food.”

Anyone who has any knowledge of these unlawful acts is asked to contact Burroughs at 406-636-4963, the Petroleum County sheriff’s office in Winnett at 406-429-6551, or call 1-800-TIP-MONT (1-800-847-6668).

1-800-TIP-MONT is a toll-free number where people can report violations of fish, wildlife or park regulations. Callers may remain anonymous. It is similar to the well-known Crimestoppers program and offers rewards for information resulting in apprehension of persons who abuse Montana’s natural, historic or cultural resources.

 

-FWP-