ROCK SPRINGS--New information provided to the Wyoming Game and Fish Department indicates that one of the popular buck mule deer frequenting the area surrounding Western Wyoming Community College in Rock Springs was not poached, but rather, hit by a vehicle and later died.

Rock Springs Game Warden Dave Hays said a worker with Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) found the deer after it had been hit by a vehicle on Interstate 80. The deer was too heavy for the worker to load in the truck, so it was left for animal control to remove. While the mystery has been solved, Hays said it is still illegal for anyone to remove the antlers from a deer that they did not legally shoot.

"The fact that the antlers had been removed from the deer only added to the suspicion that it had been poached," Hays said. "We can certainly work on our communication efforts with WYDOT on future wildlife road-kill casualties. While we still lost a healthy deer and someone's vehicle was damaged, we are very thankful for the support of the community in their efforts to determine the cause of the deer's death. We are also very grateful to the Muley Fanatics Foundation for their generous offer to match the STOP Poaching reward."

Anyone with information on this or any wildlife violation may call the Stop Poaching Hotline at 1-877-WGFD-TIP. Tips may be reported online at wgfd.wyo.gov Tips may also be reported to the Green River Game and Fish Office at-1-307-875-3223. Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $5,000 if the information leads to a conviction.