27 Waterfowl Found Shot And Abandoned In Millard County, Utah: DWR Urges Public To Report Wildlife Crimes

In the wake of a recent incident where 27 waterfowl were shot and left to waste, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) is fervently reminding the public of the illegality of harvesting wildlife and abandoning the meat. In November, DWR conservation officers were alerted by a concerned resident who discovered the discarded birds near a gravel pit in Millard County. Shockingly, none of the meat from the waterfowl, comprising five Canada geese, 21 mallards, and one green wing teal, had been utilized. Subsequent investigation by officers at the scene facilitated the identification of the individual responsible, leading to the issuance of a citation.

In a press release, DWR Officer Stetson West said, “The individual involved in this case said that they wasted the birds because they ‘did not know how to make ducks taste good. Many Utahns hunt to provide meat for their families, so allowing any wildlife to waste is selfish and takes away that opportunity from others who would benefit from the harvested wildlife.” 

This act of leaving protected wildlife to waste is strictly prohibited and can result in a class B misdemeanor. To address such concerns, the DWR encourages individuals to report any wildlife-related crimes in Utah through various channels. These include calling the UTiP Hotline at 800-662-3337, utilizing the UTDWR Law Enforcement app, sending a text to 847411, or reporting online through the DWR website. While the latter option is available, individuals are cautioned that direct contact with an officer may be limited.

As an additional resource, the DWR website offers a collection of recipes for cooking game meat, encouraging responsible and ethical practices when dealing with harvested wildlife. By promoting awareness and actively engaging the public in reporting such incidents, the DWR aims to safeguard wildlife and enforce regulations that prevent the wasteful and unlawful harvesting of animals in Utah.