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Show As many as 50 of Utah deer are killed by poachers P Experts estimate that as many as SO percent of the deer killed in Utah are killed by poachers, r - . ' .", At a recent roadblock on die Wyoming border, officials confiscated con-fiscated a large refrigerated truck that was nearly filled with deer and elk that had been illegally killed. Alan Hash, Davis County conservation con-servation officer, said he was aware of one "instance where a group of hunters was stopped, and each of them had killed four or five deer. He said that anyone who breaks die law in an attempt to obtain wild game is considered a poacher. "Many times there is very little evidence; of poaching," he said. "The officers win find a gut pile and know an animal has been taken, but it is difficult to find the hunter." According to Hash, occasionally they will find a large group of deer, including does and fawns, that have been shot by someone and left in the canyon. "They just use the animals for target practice," he ""' said. "" '" - - " ; : ' ; , He also pointed out that several new regulations will help cut down on poaching. This year, licenses will not be sold after midnight the day before the hunt "This will ehminate the hunter who finds a herd of deer, kills, several of them, and men runs down the canyon to get other family members or friends to buy a license so that the deer can be tagged," Hash said. It is also unlawful to kill a deer for any person in the hunting party, with the exception of a blind person.' per-son.' A new law makes it possible for a certified, legally blind person, to buy a hunting license. "their companion hunters will be held responsible for all rules and laws pertaining to the hunt The blind person will not be allowed to take the game animals at any time during the course of me hunting activity," ac-tivity," Hash explained. Hunters may not donate any portion por-tion of their animal to another person per-son while they are in the field. The entire deer must be brought out intact in-tact by the licensed hunter. : Hash said every attempt is being made to' stop poaching and to make the hunt "fair for all law-abiding citizens." He asked that anyone witnessing poaching, or any other hunting violation, to call die Utah Division of Wildlife Resources at 1-800-662-Deer. ': |