A poacher killed a doe and left her to rot in a field in Rome last week.
The deer was likely shot with a small-caliber rifle between 2 and 3 a.m. on Aug. 24 and left to rot in a field off Route 225, according to the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.
Game wardens believe that this killing may be connected to the slaying of another doe that was left to rot in an apple orchard off West Sandy River Road in the neighboring town of Mercer on the night of July 26.
There is a $3,000 reward for any information leading to the arrest or conviction of those responsible for the killings.
Anyone with information can file a confidential report with Maine Operation Game Thief online at maineogt.org or by calling 1-800-ALERT-US or the Augusta Regional Communications Center at 207-624-7076.