Enforcement - Region 5

Tuesday, November 26, 2019

BILLINGS – The Colstrip Sportsmen’s Club has added $700 to the reward offered for information leading to a conviction in a case where four mule deer bucks were illegally killed and left to waste in October. The new money brings the total reward to $1,700.

The four dead deer were found on private property near the Sarpy Creek Mine in Big Horn County. FWP game wardens believe two perpetrators drove a silver or gray Ford Excursion SUV from the early to mid-2000s.

The poachers remove the head from one deer and left all four to waste. The crimes happened two days before the general rifle season opened.

FWP is offering a reward of as much as $1,000, in addition to money put up by the Colstrip organization, for information leading to a conviction in the crimes. Anyone with information may call FWP game warden Jake Barzen at 406-860-7796 or anonymously report to FWP’s 24-hour crime-reporting line at 1-800-TIP-MONT (800-847-6668).

The 1-800-TIP-MONT program 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 conviction of persons who abuse Montana's natural, historic or cultural resources.

-FWP-