Deer decoy nets citations in closed hunting area

Wyoming Game and Fish officers issued four citations and five warnings after posing a mule deer decoy near the Wyoming-Idaho border in October.

The citations carried fines totaling $3,160.

Game and Fish officials said they have received numerous complaints about illegal deer hunting taking place on the west side of the Teton Range.

The decoy was set up on the morning of October 10 and again on the evening of October 16 in Deer Hunt Area 149. The area had closed to Wyoming deer hunting on October 7.

During those two days, a total of 13 vehicles passed by. Ten of those observed the decoy. Of the 10 that saw it, four shot at the decoy.

“We don’t use decoys a lot,” said Jackson Game Warden Kyle Lash. “But when we have certain problem areas such as this, they have proven to be pretty effective. They’re effective in that they put the wildlife, the game warden and the violator all at the crime scene at the same time. They’re just a good tool to keep hunters playing by the rules.”

Deer Hunt Area 149 has had a history of violations. Game and fish said that is likely due to its geographic isolation from Jackson and the rest of Wyoming. Regional Game and Fish officers have identified it as a problem area and have periodically used such special operations to increase the Wyoming Game and Fish Department’s enforcement presence there.

In 2013, a deer decoy was used and it resulted in three citations and three warnings being issued.