SEELEY LAKE - During the past couple months there were five reported antler thefts in Seeley Lake. Missoula County Sergeant Bob Parcell believes there have been more thefts that have gone unreported. Sgt. Parcell said no one has been apprehended.
Reported thefts have occurred on Airport Road, in the Double Arrow Ranch and on Highway 83. Sgt. Parcell said it appears that the perpetrator(s) are scoping out areas during the day and removing antlers from the outside of buildings during the night. All antlers stolen so far have been visible from a road and/or accessible without breaking into a building.
Sgt. Parcell mentioned one shed from which all the large elk and deer antlers displayed on the outside walls were stolen. A week later the rest of the antlers were removed.
“Antlers used as decorations, put in a stash, collected in piles and readily visible have been the target,” said Sgt. Parcell.
The last report was Sunday, Nov. 22. A large stash of antlers was taken from inside an open-sided pole barn on Hauser Drive at Pitman Machining. Owner Ken Pitman said that the thieves only took the largest antlers and horns leaving some of the smaller antlers. It appeared that they had returned after also stealing from his neighbors but Pitman said they did not take anything the second time. The antlers couldn’t be seen from the road. However, anyone who visited the business could see the pile.
“Pay attention to where you store your antlers and move them to a safer location,” said Sgt. Parcell.
Sgt. Parcell encourages anyone who sees someone with a bunch of antlers or hears of someone trying to sell antlers to call the Missoula County Sheriff’s Office, 406-258-4810. Callers can ask to speak directly to Sgt. Parcell or Deputy Heath Hanson or leave an anonymous tip.
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