Maine game wardens are asking for the public's help as they investigate the death of a large male whitetail deer in the Kennebec County town of Mount Vernon in late October during archery season. Officials say it's likely the animal was killed illegally and left to waste. Maine Warden Service Cpl. John MacDonald says the animal was probably killed at night.
"We don't know that for sure, but we just kind of run into some dead ends," MacDonald says, "and hoping that whoever might be responsible may, in fact, have told a person or two and maybe they could give us a call and give us a tip."
MacDonald says the animal was shot in an open area near a road and that the person responsible might have gotten scared and fled. He says he doesn't think it was a hunter, but rather someone possibly out for a joy ride.
"You know, it's too bad," he says. "This animal is, we feel, shot illegally just because of the circumstances, and it's a substantial deer - lot of meat loss, and it's just too bad.
Maine Operation Game Thief has offered up to $1,000 for information leading to a conviction in the case.
