The Maine Warden Service is investigating the killing of this buck and another deer found shot last fall on Mount Desert Island, where hunting is banned. These recent deer deaths are not connected to the case of an MDI man now serving jail time for committing dozens of hunting violations in and around MDI in 2020. Credit: Courtesy of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife

Operation Game Thief in cooperation with the  Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is offering a $4,000 reward for information on deer that were illegally shot on Mount Desert Island.

The first deer was shot sometime between the evening of Oct. 5 and the morning of Oct. 6, according to MDIF&W spokesperson Mark Latti. The large buck’s body was found in Mount Desert, and reported to state wardens on Oct. 6.

A second buck was found in Tremont, also on Mount Desert Island, after being shot sometime in the morning hours of Nov. 6, according to Latti.

The deer’s head was cut off, with the rest of the body left where the animal was shot.

The DIF&W believes that both deer were shot at night, which is a violation of state hunting laws. Hunting is also prohibited on Mount Desert Island.

The agency is offering a $2,000 reward for information on each of the deer shot on the island, or a $4,000 reward for information on both deer.

Anyone with information can contact Maine Operation Game Thief at 1-800-253-7887.

Leela Stockley is an alumna of the University of Maine. She lives in northern Maine with her two pugs and a cat. Send videos and photo submissions to lstockley@bangordailynews.com.

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