Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is offering a reward of as much as $1,000 for information leading to the conviction of people who have shot and killed pelicans. FWP says that possibly dozens of pelicans have been shot and killed along the Bighorn River below Yellowtail Dam.

Pelicans are a federally protected migratory bird in Montana, and it is illegal to shoot them.

FWP game wardens have seen or retrieved nearly a dozen dead pelicans between the Yellowtail Dam and Two Leggins Fishing Access Site.

They believe dozens more may have been shot and killed this summer in the same area.

Anyone with information about the illegal killing is asked to call 1-800-TIP-MONT, FWP’s poaching 24-hour poaching hotline or game warden Jake Barzen at 406-860-7796.

The 1-800-TIP-MONT program is a toll-free number where people can report violations of fish, wildlife or park regulations. Callers may remain anonymous. It is similar to the well-known Crimestoppers program and offers rewards for information resulting in the conviction of persons who abuse Montana's natural, historic or cultural resources.

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