By the Nevada Department of Wildlife
Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) game wardens are seeking the public’s help to solve a criminal case of several deer shot and left to waste in Voltaire Canyon near Carson City.
Game wardens discovered one dead buck Jan. 12, and tracked the trails of at least seven other injured deer in the Voltaire Canyon area.
Because of timing, conditions and terrain, game wardens were not able to track the fate of the other deer, but it’s clear from the evidence at the scene that many more were shot.
“We’re looking for one good tip to help us catch the person who did this,” said Rob Buonamici, chief game warden at NDOW. “These animals belong to everyone, and the public should be outraged at the needless waste of resources. In a case like this, some member of the public who maybe doesn’t even realize they have the right piece of information we need.”
A game warden was on routine patrol in early January when he discovered the first buck, shot and left to waste. Upon further investigation, the game warden discovered the trail of at least seven other deer that were shot.
Due to timing and rough terrain, the game warden was unable to find the other carcasses, but investigators spent five days covering the shooting area of more than four square miles.
The evidence indicated that the deer were likely shot by the same person from the same location.
There were also several deer found shot in the vicinity last year.
Concerned people with information can contact Operation Game Thief at (800) 992-3030. Callers can remain anonymous and rewards are paid for information that leads to the conviction of those responsible wildlife crime.
