Idaho Fish & Game investigating two possible cases of deer poaching in Boise

BOISE, Idaho (CBS2) — The Idaho Department of Fish and Game says someone poached a deer in the River Run neighborhood in Boise Tuesday.

Investigators believe the deer was shot with an arrow between 1-3 a.m. Tuesday.

IDFG responded to a report of the apparent poaching and found a large pool of blood next to the tennis courts in East Boise’s Baggley Park, just off Parkcenter Boulevard. A drag trail led northeast out of the park and ended in n a cul-de-sac at the end of South Crosscreek Lane.

Based on this evidence, IDFG believes the deer dragged across the park to the cul-de-sac and loaded into a vehicle.

“It appears that the deer, possibly a large buck well-known by neighbors, was hit with an arrow in the common area, bolted across Parkcenter Boulevard and died a short distance into Baggley Park,” said Joey Ishida, IDFG conservation officer.

Tufts of fur were also found during the investigation which is consistent with an archery kill.

Security camera footage shows a darker color – possibly black – Jeep Wrangler with a brush guard cruising through all those neighborhoods around 2:05am.

“I’d ask that persons living on South Crosswater Lane, East Woodvine Court, East Monterey Drive and South Mariner Way review their security camera footage and report anything suspicious during the early morning hours of December 10,” Ishida said.

The case has IDFG investigators taking a closer look at another deer death in that same area about three and a half weeks ago.

Circumstances, in that case, are similar to what happened on Tuesday.

Streams branch off of the Boise River and flow through the neighborhood luring wildlife into the area. Neighbors hope the poachers are caught soon.

“I think it is encroaching and it’s overwhelmingly disappointing and upsetting to think that would be happening here and I consider this (Baggley Park) our neighborhood. To do such a thing and the animals are so beautiful and you can see them day and night here,” said Nancylee Summervill of the River Run neighborhood.

Idaho Fish & Game investigators hope neighbors with doorbell cameras and/or surveillance cameras will check their footage and give them a call if they find anything.