BIGHORN POACHING IN BUCKEYE ARIZONA – Poaching incidents happen on a regular basis, and they are becoming more and more regular. Recently, there was a poaching reported in Buckeye Arizona where a bighorn sheep was poached.
Bighorn Poaching in Arizona
The Arizona Game and Fish Department are currently looking for any information on a poaching of a bighorn sheep. The bighorn was a mature ram that was poached on July 10th in the Game Management Unit 39. Unit 39 is near Buckeye, and the poaching occurred in the Buckeye Hills at Gillespie Dam.
The Arizona Game and Fish Department shared the following regarding possible leads as to who poached the bighorn.
AZGFD officials have reason to believe a group of five Asian males seen leaving the scene at approximately 8:30 p.m. in a gray sedan and a black sport utility vehicle may be involved in this incident.
If anyone has information about the case or may possibily know the men leaving the scene, they can call the AZGFD. The AZGFD has a special hotline for poaching called the Operation Game Thief hotline. The number is 800-352-0700 and refer to the case # 21-002114.
“We rely heavily on the assistance of the public in coming forward with information, and we are hopeful that a tip could lead us to those responsible for this heinous criminal act,” said Ryan Randall, wildlife manager. “This is a horrible waste of the state’s most precious resource, its wildlife.”
Benefits of Reporting a Poaching
It can be difficult to report a poaching incident. Hunters especially do not want their name out there as someone reporting poaching incidents. The AZGFD allows individuals to remain anonymous with their reporting. Reporters also may be eligible for an award of up to $1,500 for information that leads to the arrest of the individuals that poached the bighorn. The Arizona Desert Bighorn Sheep Society is also offering an award. Again, if an individual provides information that leads to the arrest, they will pay an additional $1,000.
