Conservation officers trying to track deer with arrow sticking out

The Penticton Conservation Officer Service is hoping the public can help assist in locating a wounded deer.

Conservation officer James Zuchelli says a deer is wandering the community with a hunter’s arrow in it.

“There is a lawful hunting season that’s on right now. A hunter with a bow, in close proximity to city limits took a non-fatal bow shot at a deer,” Zuchelli says, adding the hunter hasn’t violated any regulations and is not under investigation. “It’s a non-fatal injury where the arrow penetrated the meaty portion of the upper hip and back, and hasn’t penetrated a vital area. We’re hoping the deer ends up in a location where we can tranquilize it and remove the arrow and just release it again."

The incident took place in the Carmi area east of Penticton two nights ago, on Oct. 18.

If a member of the public should spot the deer, they should call 1-877-952-7277 and report it to the Conservation Officer Service.

Zuchelli says hunting season is active all over the region right now.

“People are out harvesting animals. We all hope for a clean, ethical kill, but sometimes circumstances are such that isn’t the case. Nobody goes out with the intention of wounding an animal like that, and in this particular case it wasn’t reckless behaviour or a wildlife act violation that resulted in this incident,” Zuchelli says.

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