Alberta Fish and Wildlife are looking for public assistance in locating a poacher.

On December 2, Cochrane Fish and Wildlife officers received a call that a mule deer buck had been shot.

The mature deer had been shot from the roadway near Township Road 274, northeast of Cochrane, dragged into the ditch and had it's head taken off.

Brendan Cox, Justice and Solicitor General, Public Affairs Officer, says this is a case of poaching not hunting.

"Abandoning or allowing the edible flesh of a big game animal to go to waste and failing to tag are both offenses under the Wildlife Act."

Officers believe the incident happened between November 29 and early hours of November 30.

Cox reminds community members to report any suspicious  behaviour regarding fish and wildlife to the Report A Poacher line at 1-800-642-3800.