Nevada Game Wardens Seek Info on Deer Poaching - KTVN Channel 2 - Reno Tahoe News Weather, Video -

Nevada game wardens say a mule deer was illegally shot near Pioche and left to suffer before it died.

The animal was found May 31.

Nevada Department of Wildlife officials say the otherwise healthy buck was shot in the spine with a small-caliber bullet. Investigators say evidence shows the animal's back legs were likely paralyzed and it struggled on its two front legs before it died.

The animal was found a few miles each of Pioche off the Four Mile Well road.

Operation Game Thief is offering a $500 reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of those responsible. (AP)