Moose Illegally Shot Dead and Left to Rot in Maine, $1000 Fine With Jail Time Awaits Shooter

Two moose that were shot illegally and left to rot were reported by officials. The gunman will be subject to jail time and fines of $1,000.

Two Moose Illegally Shot Then Left to Rot

The Maine Warden Service is investigating two separate illegal moose killings in Washington and Aroostook counties last week, confirmed by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. Lt. Aaron Cross highlighted the severity: moose were unlawfully hunted out of season, in restricted zones, and abandoned, amplifying public concern.

These actions, leaving the moose to waste, disturb those who wait a lifetime for a moose permit, recognizing the sustenance one legally harvested moose could provide to families. One moose, shot between 8 AM and 11:45 AM near Baileyville's Grand Falls Road, and another discovered a day earlier on County Road 15 in Aroostook County, prompted investigations. Game wardens, in preliminary stages, aim to resolve these distressing incidents.

Poaching Across the State

The warden service annually investigates several cases of illegally killed moose or deer left to decay, a challenging task due to limited evidence, as noted by Cross. Public dissemination of such incidents seeks tips, aided significantly by Operation Game Thief, a nonprofit collaborating with the Warden Service and Maine Marine Patrol.

Established in 1989, this program gathers information on illegal poaching, offering rewards for leads resulting in arrests and convictions, often declined by 80% of informants. With approximately 120 game wardens statewide, Greg Sirpis, Operation Game Thief's board chair, stresses the public's role as their eyes and ears. Reports on poaching, including overfishing and introducing fish unnaturally, are received weekly.

Sirpis believes poaching is more extensive due to its clandestine nature, hindering accurate wildlife management crucial for sustaining resources across generations. He compares poaching to stealing food, emphasizing its detrimental impact on natural resources and the ecosystem.

$1000 Fine and Jail Time

Cross emphasized that gathering adequate evidence for convictions might take years, yet the department remains resolute in holding accountable those who unlawfully kill animals. The recent moose killings could result in a Class D crime charge, carrying a $1,000 fine and three days in jail per violation. Operation Game Thief offers a $3,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the culprits, with tips accepted through Maine State Police or their "Tips 411" app and website.

David Trahan, Executive Director of the Sportsman's Alliance of Maine (SAM), expressed incredulity and condemnation, deeming such acts unethical and leaving a stain on the state's reputation. He highlighted the significance of moose in Maine's allure, attracting visitors nationwide. Trahan denounced the senseless killing and abandonment of a moose as a grievous waste.

Despite his lack of understanding, Trahan speculated that the thrill of hunting might motivate such actions. Having experienced the privilege of legally hunting a moose himself, Trahan termed it a once-in-a-lifetime event. SAM collaborates with Operation Game Thief, and Trahan urges the Maine Warden Service to identify and prosecute those responsible for the moose killings.