Post by Woody Williams on Feb 18, 2008 19:52:42 GMT -5
Authorities investigating grisly cases of poaching
By Daily World staff report
Monday, February 18, 2008 10:47 AM PST
Local wildlife authorities believe several suspects have been poaching near Ocean Shores by running deer down with cars and then slitting their throats.
Sgt. Brad Rhoden, with the state Department of Fish and Wildlife, said a search warrant executed Wednesday turned up the remains of about four deer taken out of season without a license.
“They just didn’t care,” Rhoden said of the suspected poachers.
Ocean Shores police officers worked with the wildlife department to get the search warrant following a tip leading to the home, he said.
The search found deer meat and hides, Rhoden said. The department will use DNA samples to determine how many deer were taken.
He said they believe poachers have been hitting the relatively tame deer in the area since at least October, using vehicles to chase the animals.
“They would actually hit the deer and knock it down,” he said. Then they would jump out and cut the deer’s throat.
A resident of the home and three others from Bellingham are believed to be the poachers, he said. No arrests have been made as authorities continue to investigate.
“This isn’t the first time we’ve had poaching out in the Ocean Shores area,” Rhoden said. “The deer are pretty used to people and they’re pretty tame.”
By Daily World staff report
Monday, February 18, 2008 10:47 AM PST
Local wildlife authorities believe several suspects have been poaching near Ocean Shores by running deer down with cars and then slitting their throats.
Sgt. Brad Rhoden, with the state Department of Fish and Wildlife, said a search warrant executed Wednesday turned up the remains of about four deer taken out of season without a license.
“They just didn’t care,” Rhoden said of the suspected poachers.
Ocean Shores police officers worked with the wildlife department to get the search warrant following a tip leading to the home, he said.
The search found deer meat and hides, Rhoden said. The department will use DNA samples to determine how many deer were taken.
He said they believe poachers have been hitting the relatively tame deer in the area since at least October, using vehicles to chase the animals.
“They would actually hit the deer and knock it down,” he said. Then they would jump out and cut the deer’s throat.
A resident of the home and three others from Bellingham are believed to be the poachers, he said. No arrests have been made as authorities continue to investigate.
“This isn’t the first time we’ve had poaching out in the Ocean Shores area,” Rhoden said. “The deer are pretty used to people and they’re pretty tame.”
