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Show Illegal Killing of Cougars, Bobcats At Mt. Button Under Investigation CEDAR CITY - The illegal killing of seven cougars and 15 bcocats in the Mount Dutton area northeast of Panguitch is being investigated by the Division of Wildlife Resources, and conservation conserva-tion officers are asking for the public's help in determining who is responsible. "To date, officers have seized 65 illegal snares while conducting the investigation," says John Schijf, Southern Region lieutenant for the Division of Wildlife Resources. "The illegally taken cougars and bobcats were found dead in the snares. In addition to the cougars and bobcats, officers have documented the killing of two foxes and one hunting hound which were also caught in the illegal snares." The investigating officers utilized util-ized a group of 14 sportsmen to locate and remove 21 of the illegal snares, and six of the illegally taken bobcats, during July. The snares, constructed of high strength, small diameter cable, are capable of capturing and killing an animal for years after they are set. The illegal snares recovered during the investigation appear to have been set and intentionally abandoned aban-doned to capture and kill cougars. Snares are not a legal method for the sport harvest of cougars in Utah. Snares are a legal trapping device for furbearers and coyotes in Utah when used in accordance with the state's furbearer harvest regulations. Snares may only be used when they are permanently marked with the trapper's identification identi-fication number, and when they are checked every 48 hours. "Wildlife officers have been investigating this case since 1998," Schijf says. "It has proven very difficult to apprehend those responsible. respon-sible. We hope that an appeal to the public may provide new evi- dence to positively identify and apprehend ap-prehend those responsible." Wildlife officers are working closely with the Garfield County attorney to develop evidence for prosecution. The investigating officers welcome wel-come any additional information that would help in the investigation, investi-gation, or any information about similar snares found in the area during the fall. To report wildlife violations or information about this case, please call the Help Stop Poaching Hotline at 1-800-662-3338, or write to the Help Stop Poaching Email address: GWARDEN state.ut.us. Those who report information are not required to provide their name. |