Game commission seeks information after deer is illegally shot in North Huntingdon

The Pennsylvania Game Commission is looking for information after authorities believe a white-tailed deer was illegally shot Sunday over bait on private property in North Huntingdon.

State game wardens in the Southwest Region said the deer was shot between Colonial Manor Road and Cornwall Drive, not far from Route 30, around noon.

A witness told authorities that four people dragged the deer carcass through his property, Operation Game Thief wrote in a social media post. Investigators released a photograph of a person they said was involved and a two-tone Ford pickup truck in which the group left with the deer after being confronted by a witness. The pickup was parked on Cornwall Drive.

Anyone with information is asked to call the game commission at 1-833-PGC-HUNT or the Operation Game Thief hotline at 1-888-PGC-8001. Tips can be left online here.

Using bait is illegal in most of Pennsylvania, according to a 2023 public service announcement from the game commission. It is punishable by fine and more than 400 hunters were cited in 2022, said state game warden Mario Altieri.

A special firearms deer season was held Oct. 23 to 25 for hunters who met specific requirements. Regular firearms deer season starts Nov. 29.