Calls are coming in fast and furious about who the man might be who shot and killed a rare pinto deer, leaving it to die near Fort Langley on Oct. 2.
Conservation Officer Jack Trudgian said the deer was shot by someone who didn’t even get out of his pickup truck. And it was shot in broad daylight, at 4:45 p.m. in a residential area of 232 Street, near 80 Avenue.
The newer model Toyota Tundra or Tacoma was travelling northbound on 232 Street, near where the road turns into Rawlison Crescent.
“A witness saw him park on the east side of the highway, at the first curve, and shoot across the road, killing the deer,” said Trudgian. “It was really stupid and reckless, not to mention so senseless.”
In all his years as a CO, Trudgian had never seen a pinto deer himself until he came to take away the dead blacktail deer.
“This guy broke all sorts of laws, including careless use of a firearm,” he said.
Because of the area where the deer was shot, it probably was a local resident who did it, and Trudgian is hoping he bragged to someone. Alternatively, he hopes someone will come forward and say who did this.
He should turn himself in to the Langley RCMP detachment or call the CO line. Police are involved in the investigation.
The deer was shot in the head.
“That tells me he knows what he is doing,” said Trudgian.
Calls came in all weekend, after the conservation officer service released information late last week about the poaching incident and a photo of the dead deer. Some of the tips involved a possible suspect, and other important tips were passed on.
“We take every call seriously and will look into every tip,” he said.
The beloved deer, which had become well-known in the neighbourhood, was found lying in someone’s field.
Conservation officers are looking for a newer model silver Toyota pickup truck, with a silver canopy and black roof racks.
If anyone has any information, they are asked to contact RAPP (Report All Poachers and Polluters) at 1-877-7277.
