Trophy Bucks Can Be Tempting To Poachers

By Bob Frye, TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Sunday, November 20, 2011

Not all trophy bucks make it to hunting season.


Big antlers tempt poachers. Jason Farabaugh, a wildlife conservation officer for the Pennsylvania Game Commission, confiscated four bucks scoring 125 or better that were shot at night in Fayette County last year.


"There's a lot of greed among poachers in the area," Farabaugh said.


Brian Witherite, a conservation officer in Somerset County, said he -- and plenty of others -- know of three bucks in the 150-class in his district now. Officers are "babysitting" them to ensure they survive to hunting season, he said.


But poachers are a problem.


"The things people tip us off to, the cases we come across, that's the tip of the iceberg unfortunately," Witherite said.


The public can confidentially report poaching incidents -- and earn cash rewards -- by calling the commission's tip line at 888-PGC-8001 or its regional offices or by visiting www.pgc.state.pa.us.


http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/outdoors/s_768288.html