Game warden seeks help with poached, wasted deer

Libby Game Warden Tamie Laverdure needs some help. Several whitetail and mule deer have been found shot with only their backstraps removed in the Powerline and Ziegler Mountain areas.

“Other game wardens have told me there is a legacy of ‘camp meat’ or ‘party meat’ in these areas,” Laverdure said, referencing practices where hunters simply take the meat they need for a day and leave the rest.  

Laverdure is looking for any information that may lead to a conviction for the hunting malpractice. Tipsters wishing to remain anonymous may call 1-800-TIP-MONT. Laverdure may be reached at 291-1954.

Laverdure recently came across a cow elk in the Lawrence Mountain area that was shot by an apparently high-caliber weapon.

“This cow elk was just shot and left,” Laverdure said. “That has a big impact on the population. By this time of year it was likely bred.”

The cow elk was found around 200 yards from a fully harvested bull elk. Laverdure believes the two were shot near the same time, somewhere between Saturday and Monday.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks offers a $1,000 reward to anyone who provides information that leads to a conviction.

“I would really like to speak with someone who shot a bull elk in the Lawrence Mountain area this weekend,” Laverdure said.