The Humane Society of the United States and The Humane Society Wildlife Land Trust are offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the conviction of the person or persons responsible for illegally killing five mule deer near Homedale and $2,000 for information regarding the illegal shooting of two deer on private property north of Tupper Grade. These rewards are in addition to rewards offered by Citizen's Against Poaching for arrests in these cases.

The hides, heads and carcasses of five mule deer bucks were found near the Homedale Airport on October 17 along a rural road near the Snake River. The antlers had been removed from most of the skulls and the poachers took only the prime cuts, leaving at least half of the meat required to be salvaged by Idaho law to waste.

Fish and Game is also investigating a separate incident involving the shooting of a buck and a doe on private property north of Tupper Grade, between Billingsly Creek and 1050 East, on October 29. Evidence indicates the animals were killed and left on the property around 8 am.

"Although Fish and Game has philosophical differences with HSUS, we share a strong desire to bring those who illegally exploit Idaho's wildlife to justice," said IDFG Assistant Chief of Law Enforcement Chris Wright. "We hope their offer of additional reward money will help us solve these serious crimes."

Lisa Kauffman, Idaho state director for The HSUS, said, "Poachers take a heavy toll on wildlife, undermine the important and difficult work of Idaho Fish and Game officers, and steal cherished natural resources from the people of Idaho. We urge anyone with information about these wasteful crimes to come forward, and we are so thankful for the work of Idaho Fish and Game to bring these criminals to justice."

Anyone with information regarding these cases is asked to call Citizens Against Poaching (CAP) at 1-800-632-5999 twenty four hours a day. Callers may remain anonymous.