By Ryan Lewallen, County 17
An investigation into four pronghorn that were recently shot and left in the Weston Hills Recreation Area north of Gillette is underway, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department said.
On Oct. 20, North Gillette Game Warden Becca Lutz responded to a report of two pronghorn does that were allegedly shot and left within 40 yards of each other on a section of Wyoming state land west of North Highway 59 mile marker 143, per WGFD.
A third pronghorn doe was found approximately 200 yards away from the others following an additional search of the immediate area.
While on the way to the scene, WGFD says, Lutz was approached by another hunter who reported finding a fourth pronghorn, a buck, that had been shot and left approximately 1 mile south of the doe carcasses.
No edible portions were removed from three of the animals, though the fourth may have had a small portion of meat removed, per WGFD, which adds that scavenging on the carcass made it difficult to say for sure.
Lutz estimates, based on the condition of the carcasses, that the animals were shot on or around the weekend of Oct. 15-16.
“Over that weekend, large herds of antelope could be seen in the Weston Hills Recreation Area off Highway 59,” Lutz said in a statement. “There were many hunters accessing the area that weekend and it is possible someone saw something that may help provide answers in these cases.”
The WGFD urges anyone with information regarding this incident to contact the department using the STOP POACHING hotline at 1-877-943-3847 or by submitting information online at the WGFD website.
Residents may also text information by texting the keyword WGFD and message to 847-411.
Anyone who reports a tip can remain anonymous and any information leading to a conviction can be eligible for a monetary reward of up to $5,000 from the Wyoming Wildlife Protector’s Association.
