CIBOLA COUNTY, N.M. - The day before muzzleloader season opened, a hunter scouting for mule deer made a stunning discovery through his spotting scope. He observed the buck of a lifetime and then moments later, its illegal harvest. He captured the entire incident on video as the deer was shot with a rifle on public land. He immediately reported it to New Mexico State Police Dispatch, who relayed the information to a New Mexico Conservation officer. Within minutes, that officer had both the footage and a clear view of the poacher responsible.
What followed was a thorough investigation backed by warrants and DNA evidence, which tied a portion of the carcass found in the field to a suspect. The officer discovered that an archery deer tag in the suspect's girlfriend's name had been put forward as cover for a supposed legal harvest taken just days before the search warrant was executed. She couldn't recall killing a deer, and the blood evidence from the carcass tag, and the suspect's truck told a different story, linking directly to the poached animal. Investigators ultimately recovered and seized the head and antlers of the 190 7/8' buck, which had still been in velvet when it was killed.
This case was cracked because a hunter in the field had the presence of mind to watch, record, and report. If you witness illegal or suspicious hunting activity, call Operation Game Thief or New Mexico State Police Dispatch right away. Save the OGT number in your phone now, 1-800-4324263, before you ever need it.