Tag Archives: Operation Game Theft

AZGFD is asking for public’s help in identifying persons involved in deer poaching case

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SUPERIOR — The Arizona Game and Fish Department is hoping someone will be able to identify two “persons of interest” in a possible deer poaching case.

A concerned citizen took a photo of a man and woman with a white-tailed deer draped across the hood of a Jeep Wrangler and forwarded it to the Department’s Operation Game Thief. The photo was taken during the morning of Nov. 27 near Oak Flat (Game Unit 24B), east of Superior, Ariz., and investigators are looking for anyone who can identify the people in the photo.

“If you recognize either of these individuals, or have seen anything suspicious on social media that may help us solve this case, we want to talk to you,” said Joshua Hurst, AZGFD Operation Game Thief Program Manager. “Poachers are not hunters. They are thieves stealing wildlife from the citizens of Arizona. Please call our Operation Game Thief Hotline.”

Arizona hunters and back-country recreationists are often the best sources of leads for catching wildlife violators. If you have any information about this incident, contact Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Operation Game Thief Hotline at 1-800-352-0700, 24-hours-a-day, seven days a week, or on the web at www.azgfd.gov/ogt.shtml. Please reference case #16-004087.

“If you know the people in this picture, we hope you will reach out to us,” said Hurst. “Your information could help catch a criminal.”

The Department may pay cash rewards to individuals whose reports lead to the arrest of poachers and other criminals in Arizona. Under law, callers may remain anonymous and their confidentiality is protected. Money for rewards comes from criminal poaching fines, civil restitution by those who commit wildlife crimes, and donations.

Three bull elk poached near Joseph City

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operation_game_thief_footerPINETOP — The Arizona Game and Fish Department is asking for the public’s help in finding those responsible for the illegal killing of a three bull elk on the morning of November 7. The bull elk were killed in an agriculture field located south of I-40 off Hunt Road. This is just east of Joseph City.

All three bull elk were untouched and were left to waste.

“The poacher left these animals to waste, and we need assistance from the public to find the individual(s) responsible. This is a senseless act and not the actions of a hunter,” said Officer Ken Clay, an AZGFD wildlife manager. “What makes this act so appalling is this particular area is open to elk hunting year round to anyone who purchases a non-permit elk tag over the counter at one of our offices.”

Anyone with information about this case can call the Department’s Operation Game Thief hotline at (800) 352-0700 or visit www.azgfd.gov/thief and refer to case #16-003848. Callers who have information leading to the arrest of the suspect(s) will be eligible for a $2,500.00 reward in this case. All calls may remain confidential upon request.

$750 reward offered for information in illegal killing of a mule deer buck

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operation_game_thief_footer The Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Operation Game Thief program is offering up to a $750 reward for information leading to an arrest in connection with the illegal poaching of a mule deer buck. The deer’s remains were discovered near Happy Valley Rd. and the AZ-303 loop in Peoria.

Game and Fish investigators believe the buck was killed during the Father’s Day weekend. It appears to have been poached close to the Valley, transported and dumped at the location.

“Poachers are not hunters. They are thieves stealing wildlife from the citizens of Arizona,” said Joshua Hurst, AZGFD’s Operation Game Thief Program Manager. “If you saw something—even if you think you saw—something suspicious or learned about the crime through social media, please call our Operation Game Thief Hotline. Do the right thing and call today.”

The Department relies on the citizens of Arizona to assist in the reduction of wildlife violations. If you have any information or knowledge of this incident, please contact Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Operation Game Thief hotline at 1-800-352-0700, 24-hours-a-day, seven days a week, or on the web at www.azgfd.gov/ogt.shtml.

Every year, the Department pays cash rewards to individuals who report wildlife crimes in Arizona. Under law, callers can remain anonymous and their confidentiality is protected. Money for rewards comes from criminal poaching fines, civil restitution by violators who commit wildlife crimes, and donations.