Whitefish area whitetail poachers charged

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks game wardens have charged four individuals with numerous counts of wildlife violations related to whitetail deer poaching in 2012.

The poaching mainly occurred near Whitefish in the Farm to Market Road, Dillon Road and Voerman Road areas.

The charges filed Sept. 27 included, but are not limited to, waste of game, using artificial light to hunt big game, unlawful possession of big game animals, and hunting during a closed season. The four individuals whose names have not been released have pleaded not guilty.

Game wardens are also seeking information about a 5-by-6 whitetail buck that was shot and left near Dillon Road, between Columbia Falls and Whitefish, on Tuesday, Nov. 5, around 5:30 p.m.

The shooter left the scene before officers could arrive and left the deer in the field. The suspect was seen driving a dark colored pickup truck with large tires, a brush guard and a top bar.

Game wardens urge anyone with information on this incident to call 1-800-TIPMONT (1-800-847-6668). Anyone providing information that leads to a conviction may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.