Ty Smith, wildlife officer for CPW in the Bayfield area, believes the deer was killed in late January. The carcass was found by a local property owner and reported to CPW on Monday. The buck deer had a 4 by 5 rack and was left to rot after it was killed. It was shot in the neck by a projectile fired from a crossbow.
The deer was killed far outside any legal established hunting seasons.
Anyone with information about the deer can remain anonymous and should contact Operation Game Thief at (877) 265-6648 or the Durango wildlife office at 247-0855.
A $1,000 reward is being offered for information that leads to a conviction.
Activity that might indicate a crime against wildlife is in process can be reported to the Durango office or local law enforcement.