DALTON GARDENS - A buck, a doe and a fawn were each found illegally shot dead and left to waste within Dalton Gardens city limits recently, and wildlife officials are seeking information to catch those responsible.

The Idaho Department of Fish and Game said the incidents occurred between Thursday, Feb. 7, and Saturday, Feb. 9. They were each shot with a small-caliber bullet.

"There are some people who love and feed them, and some people that wish they were all gone," said Phil Cooper, a spokesman for Fish and Game in North Idaho.

Fish and Game officials said the three carcasses were found at two different locations within Dalton Gardens.

Two of the dead deer were found near 16th Street and Wilbur Avenue. The other one was brought to Fish and Game by Dalton Gardens city officials, Cooper said.

The deer season in North Idaho currently is closed, so the shooting of a deer is a violation of state wildlife laws.

The unlawful killing of one deer in Idaho is a misdemeanor with a possible fine of up to $1,000 and a potential six-month jail term. If someone kills more than one deer unlawfully within a 12-month period they can be charged with a felony.

Discharging a firearm within the city limits of Dalton Gardens also is illegal.

With the numerous homes and people in the area, discharging a firearm in Dalton Gardens presents safety concerns that extend beyond the legal issues, Fish and Game officials said in a news release.

In November 2011, The Press reported that Dalton Gardens officials were exploring options to reduce the number of deer in the city.

One suggestion floated at the time was letting hunters thin the deer population.

Some said the deer came first and so residents should learn to live with their numbers, while others said the population is out of control because people feed them.

Anyone with information about the recent shootings can call Fish and Game at (208) 769-1414; or, the Citizens Against Poaching (CAP) hotline at (800) 632-5999.

Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a CAP reward if the information provided leads to the arrest and conviction of those responsible, Fish and Game said.