There’s a price on the head of whoever shot a muskox along the Dempster Highway on Friday.
The Yukon Fish and Game Association is offering $1,000 to anyone with information that leads to the conviction of the person who shot the animal.
No meat was harvested from the muskox, said Torrie Hunter, the Department of Environment’s manager of field operations for Yukon’s northern region.
“It’s waste, just total waste of an animal’s life for no apparent reason,” he said.
Muskox hunting is prohibited in the Yukon. Only about 200 of the animals are believed to inhabit the territory. They largely congregate near Yukon’s north slope.
The adult bull had spent about three weeks grazing within sight of the highway prior to being shot.
“It was becoming a bit of a tourist attraction. People enjoyed seeing it,” said Hunter.
The animal’s body was found at kilometre 456, about 10 kilometres north of the Rock River campground, and about 500 metres from the road.
It was believed to have been shot sometime between 9 a.m. and noon.
If the culprit is convicted of hunting when not permitted, and waste of meat, he or she could face a maximum fine of $50,000 and one year’s imprisonment.
Anyone with information is encouraged to call 1-800-661-0525. (John Thompson)