ROME, Maine (WABI) – The Maine Warden Service and Maine Operation Game Thief are asking for the public\u2019s help to identify those responsible for a recent deer poaching incident in Rome.<\/p>\n
The incident occurred in the early morning hours of Monday, August 24, between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m.<\/p>\n
According to Sgt. Josh Beal of the Maine Warden Service and Operation Game Thief, the crime took place in a privately-owned field at the intersection of North Pond Road and Rome Road.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe received a complaint early morning of Monday of August 24, just a complaint that there\u2019s a dead deer in the field,\u201d Beal said. \u201cAfter responding and looking into it, we found that the deer had been shot and killed and left.\u201d<\/p>\n
Game wardens emphasize that poaching is not just a criminal violation of state hunting laws, but a direct threat to local wildlife populations and conservation efforts.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe natural resources in our state, they\u2019re all a perishable resource,\u201d Beal explained. \u201cAs game wardens, we work for those which don\u2019t have a voice. The animals of the state can\u2019t call and complain and tell us what is going on and where it\u2019s happening.\u201d<\/p>\n
Investigators suspect this crime is not an isolated incident. Evidence points to a potential connection with a poaching case that occurred late July in Mercer, just one town over.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are a lot of similarities between the two situations,\u201d Beal said. \u201cBoth were doe deer, both were killed at night, both were killed with a rifle, and both were just shot and left… left behind.\u201d<\/p>\n
With leads limited, authorities are turning to local communities for information.<\/p>\n
Maine Operation Game Thief (OGT) is offering a $3,000 reward for any tips that lead to the arrest and apprehension of those responsible.<\/p>\n