Poached and wasted

Ken Johnston

Sadly, poaching is alive and well in the Rainy River area.
Last Saturday the Ministry of Natural Resources Moose Watch line received a disturbing call. The caller reported that several animals had been dumped over the embankment at the end of Launthier Road, about three miles north west of Rainy River.
Conservation Officers were dispatched on Monday and discovered the remains of five deer and a cow moose. “It is the most severe waste of the resource I have seen in my 15 years on the job,” said C.O. Mark Gadawski Monday after visiting the scene.
Gadawski said that the animals have not been there long, speculating that they were likely dumped on Friday. “They were not not very long. The birds haven’t even found them yet.”
Of the five deer, one was totally skinned out with the head cut off and only the back straps of meat and the hind roasts were taken. Of the other four there were two does, a buck and a fawn. All of which only the back straps and hind roasts were taken. None of the animals were tagged.
From the cow moose only the head and hide were left. “None of that meat was wasted,” said Gadawski, “but it was not tagged.”
Gadawski, obviously appalled by what he saw on Monday, echoed how bad the waste was when he said, “They did not even take the tenderloins.”
The penalties for the crimes committed will depend upon the courts’ decision, but being that the crime is so severe Gadawski anticipates they will be stiff.
The incident is still under investigation and Gadawski encourages anyone with information about the crime to call either him at 274-8630, Moose Watch (you can remain anonymous) at 1-866-346-6673 or Crime Stoppers (you can remain anonymous) at 1-800-222-8477.