The Arizona Game and Fish Department is investigating an Oro Valley deer hunter in the shooting of a prairie dog Oct. 23 in a U.S. Bureau of Land Management area near Sonoita closed to hunting the animal.

The Black-Tailed prairie dog killed was among a group of more than 100 transported from New Mexico to the area east of Sonoita and north of State Route 82 last year in the hope of re-introducing the indigenous species to southern Arizona.

The prairie dog was shot and killed Friday morning with a high-powered 22-caliber rifle.� 

Upon receiving a report of the crime, state Game and Fish Department officers searched� nearby deer hunting areas for the suspect’s vehicle, which when located Saturday evening led them to the individual.� When questioned by Game and Fish officers, the suspect claimed to be shooting at coyotes. His name is not being released pending the outcome of the investigation.

“A sign is posted that says the area is closed to hunting prairie dogs.�  We cannot successfully reintroduce this species to southern Arizona without protecting them,” said Don Mitchell, acting supervisor for the state Game and Fish Department in Tucson.� “Let this incident serve as a warning to others not to indiscriminately shoot at wildlife.”

The state Game and Fish Department and federal Bureau of Land Management are cooperatively observing, feeding and counting the prairie dogs in the area until the population is established there.