BILLINGS — Montana wildlife officials are offering a $1,000 reward for information in the shooting of possibly dozens of pelicans along the Bighorn River.
State game wardens have reported retrieving about a dozen dead pelicans along a stretch of the river downstream of Yellowtail Dam. The river in that area is popular among fly fishers.
Fish, Wildlife and Parks spokesman Robert Gibson says the birds are being killed with a shotgun.
Officials believe dozens more may have been shot and killed this summer in the same area. Gibson says that estimate is based on dead birds seen but not retrieved by wardens and reports they’ve received.
Pelicans are a protected under federal law as migratory birds.
The reward is offered for information that leads to the conviction of those responsible. Call 1-800-TIP-MONT.