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Police Investigating Deer Poaching, Reports of Semi-Automatic Gunfire

By Beacon Staff

Police in Whitefish are investigating reports of semi-automatic gunfire believed responsible for two dead deer and damage to a pet store.

Chief Bill Dial says officers responded to reports of gunfire at 4 a.m. Saturday, but did not find anyone with a gun. Someone found a deer shot to death in a yard at 7:45 a.m. Saturday, in the area where the gunfire was heard. Less than two hours later, a badly injured deer that was found in a church yard had to be put down.

Dial says further investigation found numerous bullets had penetrated a wall at a pet store, damaging equipment and furniture inside.

No one was reported injured.

The state Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks is assisting with the investigation.