The Arizona Game and Fish Department is investigating the poaching of a mule deer buck that occurred in late December on the Kaibab National Forest, 10 miles south of Williams in Game Management Unit 8.

The deer was found off Forest Service Road 354, about one mile from the Perkinsville Highway.

Officials investigating this case found the deer carcass with a bullet wound in the neck and the antlers removed. Officers have limited evidence and are requesting the public's help in solving this poaching case.

"Poaching is not hunting; it's stealing Arizona's valuable wildlife resources," said AZGFD Wildlife Manager Mike Rice. "Without help from the public, we have little information or evidence to go on."

Rice added, "It's probable that the deer was shot from the road. This was a blatant violation of laws in place to protect Arizona's wildlife."

Anyone with information regarding this case can call the department's Operation Game Thief Hotline toll free at (800) 352-0700 or use the online form at http://www.azgfd.gov/thief. Callers should provide case number 14-003912. All calls may remain confidential upon request. A reward of up to $500 may be available for information leading to the arrest of the violator(s).

To learn more about Operation Game Thief, visit http://www.azgfd.gov/thief.