WINCHESTER, ID – Idaho Fish and Game conservation officers are asking for the public’s help after a white-tailed buck was illegally shot and left to waste near Winchester Lake State Park.

Officials say the deer was killed around 8 p.m. on September 6 along Woodside Road. Investigators believe the animal was shot at night with a spotlight and a high-caliber rifle. No attempt was made to recover the meat.

The case remains under investigation, and Citizens Against Poaching (CAP) is offering a $400 reward for information that leads to a conviction. CAP operates a 24-hour hotline at 1-800-632-5999, and callers may remain anonymous.

According to Idaho Fish and Game, wildlife crimes such as this deprive Idahoans of valuable resources and undermine the state’s hunting and fishing traditions. With just 78 conservation officers covering more than 83,000 square miles, the agency emphasizes the importance of public assistance in reporting suspicious activity.

CAP is a nonprofit group that partners with Fish and Game, taking about 1,400 calls annually and helping uncover roughly 250 violations. The group distributes about $31,000 each year in rewards to citizens, hunters, and anglers who report wildlife crimes.

For more information about CAP, visit citizensagainstpoaching.org.