Poaching is perhaps one of the most difficult crimes to stop. Generally, game thieves use the cover of night, small-caliber rifles, and remote areas to pull of their heinous crimes against wildlife and fellow sportsmen.

The folks in Arizona have a leg up on poachers with this animated deer that shows a strong resemblance to the real deal. Kristen Schmidt tells all the details in this post from goHunt.

What’s part robot and part animal? Arizona’s new solution to capturing poachers in action. Earlier this week, the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AGFD) revealed its new tool to curb illegal hunting just in time for fall deer season: a robotic mule deer with real deer hide and the ability to move. Officials hope that the new decoy will trick poachers so that AGFD can catch them red-handed.

According to Gabriel Paz, AGFD’s law enforcement program manager, once tips start rolling in, officers plan to setup the robotic mule deer in the reported areas and wait for the poacher to take a shot at the robotic deer. “As soon as somebody shoots it, we’re calling out on a bullhorn,” says Paz… [continued]

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