Another Wyoming poacher gets nipped

[jnyork]

Wyoming Game & Fish Department sent this bulletin at 10/31/2014 10:01 AM MDT

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Poacher to Pay $30,240 in Fines

LARAMIE — A tip to the Wyoming Game and Fish Department’s Stop Poaching Hotline helped wildlife investigators apprehend a Chugwater man on multiple counts of taking big game animals without licenses.

Cheyenne Game Warden David Ellsworth said the tip lead investigators to a social media site where 47-year-old John Clark had posted photos of the animals he shot, including a photo of a buck antelope that he said was his “first antelope with a bow.”

Further investigation revealed Clark, who lived in Rock River at the time, never purchased a hunting license for at least six big game animals that he killed between 2010 and 2013. Investigators obtained a search warrant for Clark’s residence that lead to the discovery of antlers and horns from the poached animals. They also discovered a pelt from a swift fox and talons from great horned owls and golden eagles.

During the investigation, Clark admitted to shooting a mule deer buck each year from 2010 to 2013, all without a license. When presented with the social media photograph of his “first antelope with a bow,” he admitted that he had also shot that buck without a license in 2012. He then confessed to taking an additional buck antelope in 2010 and another in 2012.

Clark was charged with four counts of taking mule deer without a license; two counts of taking antelope without a license; illegal possession of elk meat; and two counts of illegal possession of mule deer meat. He was also issued warnings for illegal possession of raptor parts, and for theft/removal of a Game and Fish Department “road closed” sign. The Game and Fish Department did not take action on charges of trapping without a license, illegal take of a swift fox, or an over limit of trout that was also discovered during the investigation.

Albany Circuit Court Judge Honorable Robert A. Castor ordered Clark to pay $30,240 in fines and suspended his hunting, fishing and trapping privileges for 36 years. Four charges of illegal game possession were dismissed by the prosecution.

Ellsworth thanked the Wyoming Game and Fish Wildlife Forensics Laboratory for their help in identifying the species and gender of the game meat found in Clark’s possession during the investigation and the Albany County Attorney’s Office for their work on the case.

Ellsworth said this case demonstrates the importance of poaching reports from the public. “This whole investigation got started with a Stop Poaching tip. It stresses how important it is for members of the public to contact us if they have any information about possible poaching crimes,” he said.

Anyone with information on a wildlife crime can call the Stop Poaching Tip Line at 1-877-WGFD-TIP (1-877-943-3847). Tips may also be reported online at http://wgfd.wyo.gov, or by text at TIP411. Informants can choose to remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward for information leading to an arrest

[AJMD429]

Even though like many other federalized guvment agencies, the F&G cops can be overzealous enforcers of not-always-sensible laws, I applaud when the poacher-types are nabbed.

[Blaine]

He should have been charged with First Degree Stupid

[1894c]

He should have been charged with First Degree Stupid :lol:

$30,240 in Fines is First Degree Stupid... :)

[BrentD]

seems like they went pretty easy on him for some reason. I wonder why?

[Old Ironsights]

Works for me.

[TedH]

".....and suspended his hunting, fishing and trapping privileges for 36 years"
I hope that's similar to probation and could have some jail time attached to it if kills anything else. He obviously didn't value his privileges before!

[GonnePhishin]

Golden Eagle Talons??? What a maroon. Glad they caught him.

[Blaine]

Golden Eagle Talons??? What a maroon. Glad they caught him.

If I thought a poor man was feeding his family (not eagle meat, of course ), I'd turn a blind eye, but this Goober deserved every bit of what he got

[H_Talon]

so what if they suspended his hunting, fishing and trapping privileges for 36 years.

he wasn't using them anyway ... 30K was to little !!!

but yep felony stupid !!!

[Gobblerforge]

On the bright side, he seems to have been a good shot.
Gobbler

[Blaine]

On the bright side, he seems to have been a good shot.
Gobbler

[rogn]

We don't know how many he missed or boogered up. He probably wasn't or couldn't be committed to folioing up, due to possible exposure.

[Paladin]

so what if they suspended his hunting, fishing and trapping privileges for 36 years.

he wasn't using them anyway ... 30K was to little !!!

but yep felony stupid !!!

+1