Texas Game Wardens request public’s help in pronghorn poaching case

Story from TPWD

Operation Game Thief is offering a $1000 reward for information leading to the poacher’s arrest and conviction.

Five pronghorn carcasses with the skulls and horns missing were found one mile north of Interstate Highway 40, just east of Adrian, on private land. Texas Game Wardens are requesting the public’s help to identify individuals responsible for killing the pronghorn. The believe the animals were killed between Sept. 24 and Sept. 26.

“This is a considerably egregious crime, not just in the manner in which it was committed but also due to the significance of the animal that was harmed,” said Oldham County Game Warden Wesley Driskill, who is overseeing the investigation. “The pronghorn is one of the few big game species native to our state. Its habitat is limited to west Texas and the panhandle which is why their hunting season is shorter than most and hunting permits are highly regulated.  A crime of this magnitude impacts everyone working to conserve pronghorn for future generations.”

Texas Game Wardens believe this was an act of irresponsible trophy hunting. They encourage anyone with information about  the individuals responsible to call the Operation Game Thief Hotline at 1-800-792-GAME (4263). Relevant information may include anything out of the ordinary like strange gunshots, unfamiliar vehicles in the area, headlights in a field on those nights or observing a truck with a bloody tailgate. Information leading to the arrest and conviction of the persons responsible will be eligible for a $1,000 reward.