Deer Hunting

Help Wisconsin DNR catch deer-torturing snowmobilers

From WRFV Green Bay ...

WAUPACA (WFRV/AP) - A Waupaca County Sheriff's detective says the herding and killing of some deer by a group of snowmobiles may have occurred much earlier than first thought.

Capt. Don Conat said Tuesday that some snowmobilers are reporting that they saw an injured deer lying along the trail about five miles south of Waupaca about 9:30pm on Friday.

A state Department of Natural Resources warden on Monday said investigators believed the carnage occurred between 2am and 4am on Saturday. Some witnesses reported hearing snowmobiles in the area about 3:30am.

Five deer died in what Conat calls a "thrill killing" of deer by running over them with snowmobiles.

Investigators also say they've found snowmobile parts near the scene. They're hoping those parts yield fingerprints or identifying information on at least one of the sleds.

Conat says snowmobile clubs have offered a combined $9,000 in rewards for information leading to arrests. Waupaca County Crime Stoppers has offered another $1,000.

The Waupaca County Snowmobile Association and Waupaca County Line Trailblazers Snowmobile Club have set up a reward fund for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those who tortured and killed the deer.

Anyone wishing to contribute to the fund should send their donation to:

First State Bank
P.O. Box 549
Waupaca, WI 54981

Checks should be made payable to: 'Waupaca County Line Reward Fund'

If you have information about this animal cruelty case, call the Waupaca County Sheriff's Department at 1-715-258-4466, or Waupaca County Crime Stoppers at 1-888-258-9955, of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Hotline at 1-800-TIP-WDNR.