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FWP Seeks Info On Moose Poached Near Bigfork

According to Montana FWP, someone killed a moose near Bigfork and took the two hind quarters and the head, abandoning the rest.
(PD)
According to Montana FWP, someone killed a moose near Bigfork and took the two hind quarters and the head, abandoning the rest.

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is seeking information about a moose poaching found over the weekend near Bigfork.

FWP spokesperson John Fraley says someone killed a moose and took the two hind quarters and the head, abandoning the rest.

"Not very often do we see this blatant form of poaching," Fraley says.

Poaching is a serious offense in Montana. This particular case also constitutes game wasting, because so much of the animal was left behind. Together, the two charges can result in potential fines, loss of hunting privileges and even jail time.

FWP annually awards 114 moose tags in Region 1 through a lottery, and those tags are in high demand. Fraley says the population is too small to sustain any extra losses.

"One illegally harvested moose is a blow to the population. They're not like deer, where there's thousands of deer on the landscape ... and so every one we lose is important," says Fraley.

FWP relies heavily on tips from the public in finding poachers, and offers rewards. Anyone with information can learn how to report it anonymously by calling FWP Warden Chuck Bartos at 233-2934; or 1-800-TIP-MONT.

Nicky is MTPR's Flathead-area reporter.
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