The BC Conservation Service confirms they have several leads in their investigation of the illegal poaching of a well-known mule deer buck that took place within Kimberley city limits.
The animal is a large, striking 5-by-5 buck with a drop tine sa国际传媒 an antler point that grows straight down from the main beam on the antlers of a mature deer sa国际传媒 who was affectionately known in the community by the nickname Droptine.
Reiker Krenz with the B.C. Conservation Officer Service, told the Bulletin that Droptine was shot on Sunday, Nov. 15 between 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. and left on the roadside.
sa国际传媒淗e was shot off the St. Marysa国际传媒檚 Lake Road between the Purcell Golf Course and the Kimberley Riverside Campground on the north side of the hill,sa国际传媒 Krenz said.
Krenz said theysa国际传媒檝e had reports of a suspicious vehicle, but said that his office didnsa国际传媒檛 put out vehicle details.
sa国际传媒淲e didnsa国际传媒檛 put out vehicle details because people focus on one vehicle and kind of not look for other things we might be looking for, so I like to leave out vehicle details on this aspect,sa国际传媒 he explained.
However, if you did see a suspicious person walking with a gun or a vehicle parked in the area, or especially if you heard a gunshot and can remember the time and location, you should contact the BC Conservation Officer Service Report All Poachers and Polluters (RAPP) line at 1-877-952-7277.
sa国际传媒淲esa国际传媒檙e looking for any further information in regards to this incident,sa国际传媒 Krenz said. sa国际传媒淲e do have several leads, however we are requesting the publicsa国际传媒檚 assistance, or if anyone involved would like to come forward.sa国际传媒
Droptine isnsa国际传媒檛 the first animal poached in the East Kootenay this year.
sa国际传媒淚n the East Kootenay wesa国际传媒檝e had several poached animals, including mule deer, whitetail, elk, however this is a specific incident as it is inside Kimberley city limits where this one was shot.sa国际传媒
Additionally, regardless of where the animal was shot, it also was killed after mule deer hunting season, which closed on Nov. 10.
The investigation remains active.
paul.rodgers@kimberleybulletin
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