Conservation officers are again asking for public assistance in the investigation of three caribou shot and abandoned along the Dempster Highway.

The incident happened over the Easter weekend.

Officer Shawn Hughes of the Dawson City district says they are hoping to hear from motorists who might be able to provide vehicle descriptions.

They’d also like to hear from hunters who think they might have been involved, he said in an interview today.

Hughes said there can be many circumstances surrounding an animal shot and killed, and then seemingly abandoned.

Perhaps the animals were wounded, left the area and returned later in search of other caribou, he said.

Hughes said they could use any information that will assist the investigation.

Two of the abandoned Porcupine caribou bulls were located at kilometre 191, approximately two kilometres south of the territorial Engineer Creek Campground.

A third was located north of the campground at kilometre 208.

Hughes said the two bulls at kilometre 191 were 130 metres off the highway, and clearly visible from the highway.

Since caribou season opened on the Dempster in October 2015, conservation officers have confirmed or have heard of dozens of caribou shot and abandoned, he said.

Hughes said hunters who shoot animals and knowingly abandon the carcasses without taking the meat are breaking the law.

They’re also giving a bad name to the vast majority of hunters who hunt responsibly, he pointed out.

The season for the Porcupine caribou closed at the end of January for licensed Yukon hunters.

It remains open to subsistence hunters from both sides of the Yukon-N.W.T. border.

Anyone wishing to contact the conservation officers can call the anonymous TIPP line at 1-800-661-0525.

Or, they can call the Dawson City office directly at 867-993-5492.