Wyoming man arrested over deer-killing spree after 9 animals found slaughtered

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Andrew Feinberg

White House Correspondent

A 20-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly going on a deer killing spree after multiple animal carcasses were found dumped across Cody, Wyoming.

Joshua Tamirat Wielhouwer was arraigned on Tuesday on a string of 18 wildlife-related charges including nine counts of unlicensed taking of a big game animal and nine counts of wanton destruction of a big game animal, according to documents from Park County Fifth Judicial District Circuit Court.

In total, one fawn, two bucks, and six does were found dead with broadhead hunting arrow wounds.

The carcasses were found scattered across Park County Complex, 15th Street, and Alger Avenue, in Cody between August 27 and September 4, according to court documents.

One of the dead does was discovered floating in a pond, reported Cowboy State Daily.

The deaths were something of a mystery in the local community.

Then, at around 10pm on September 4, Wyoming Game and Fish Game Warden Spencer Carstens and another warden spotted the suspect while patroling near the Park County Complex, according to the affidavit, seen by the outlet.

The pair said they heard a sound “consistent with a shot from a compound bow” and saw a man wielding a bow and “shining a light on the ground.”

According to the affidavit, they chased the man but lost him. A deer carcass was allegedly found close to where the man had been spotted.

An arrest warrant was issued on September 6 and three days later – on September 9 – Wielhouwer turned himself into authorities,The Powell Tribune reported.

Wielhouwer remains in custody on $36,000 bail ahead of a trial slated for February 6.

Each of the 18 charges carry a one-year jail term along with a fine of up to $10,000.

The killings have sparked outrage in the local community as Cody’s mule deer are a beloved feature of the Wyoming town.

Avid hunter Jim Zumbo told CSD the deer killings were “despicable”: “Nine deer, that’s serious.”

While it is legal to hunt deer within municipal limits in Wyoming, there are strict stipulations that hunters must hold a license, can only usually kill one deer per year, and any attempt to keep the meat is illegal.