Arizona Game and Fish Department officials are seeking information that will lead to the arrest of the individual who shot and field-dressed a 32-inch spread, heavy antlered mule deer, then left it to rot near Main Street Valley in Unit 13B on Friday, November 2 — the opening day of the deer hunt in this unit. This area is on the Arizona Strip.

The deer was discovered by an Arizona hunting guide. Thinking the hunter would be back to retrieve this huge animal, the guide left a note with the deer, telling the hunter he had video of the buck taken earlier in the year, and offered a copy of the video to the hunter. The guide revisited the site two days later and found the deer still there, with the meat completely wasted.

Game and Fish officers went to the site Tuesday, November 6, and started an investigation after learning of the situation from the guide. Tracks at the site and other information indicate that the poacher was riding an ATV.

Game and Fish Department field supervisor Bob Price said, "I can't understand why anyone would kill such an incredible trophy buck and leave it to waste. This is the most heinous of all wildlife crimes." The Arizona Strip is nationally known for its large, trophy-quality mule deer.

Anyone having information about this incident is asked to contact the Arizona Game and Fish Department toll-free Operation Game Thief Hotline at 1-800-352-0700 or the Flagstaff Region II Office at (928) 774-5045. A reward is offered for information leading to the arrest of the person responsible for this act.