According to a press release by the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW), after learning about a California bighorn sheep poached in the Santa Rosa range of Humboldt County, Nevada Bighorns Unlimited (NBU), Reno has contributed $7500 towards the reward for information on the poaching. The Operation Game Thief (OGT) Citizens Board had already offered $2500. NBU's contribution raises the reward total to $10,000.
The California bighorn sheep ram was shot on the south side of Hinkey Summit, about a quarter mile from the top, in the Santa Rosa range in Humboldt County.
A concerned citizen found the animal and reported it to the Nevada Department of Wildlife.
Wardens believe the ram was killed and its head removed around October 17th or 18th. It is likely the poacher shot the ram from an ATV or vehicle from the road.
"NBU is committed to Nevada's wildlife, and we will not tolerate poaching and game violations," said Jim Nelson, Vice President of NBU Reno. "We'll do everything within our power to bring violators to justice," he continued.
The OGT Citizens Board is a private, non-profit group providing a confidential means for citizens to report crimes against wildlife.
The $10,000 reward is for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the responsible parties.
Anyone with information can contact OGT at 1-800-992-3030.
OGT encourages callers to provide any information they have such as: vehicle information, including the color, type, and license plate; suspect descriptions, such as how many, what type of clothing they were wearing; specific locations where they saw suspicious activity; how the crime was committed, such as using spotlights or shooting from a vehicle; type of weapon used. Also, submission of any photos is encouraged.
For information, call NDOW at 688-15000 during regular business hours.