Despite Best Efforts, Poaching Still Plagues the Rockies

New West Feature

Officials believe almost as many animals are killed illegally as the legal take.

By New West Editor, 8-22-11

	Poached bull elk in southern Utah. Photo courtesy of Utah Division of Wildlife Resources.

More than 5,000 reports have been received of poaching in Colorado since 1981, resulting in more than 900 convictions, for which about $800,000 in fines were levied, and $150,000 paid to citizens for reports of suspected poaching, a recent summary asserts.
Studies show that poachers kill almost as many animals as legitimate hunters do during legal seasons in various states, says the report, from Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW). It points out that poachers steal not only revenues generated by legitimate hunting, but kill threatened, endangered and non-game species.
Notifications of suspected poaching arrive through Operation Game Thief, a program pioneered by the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, which has been adopted by 49 of the 50 states.

Bob Thompson, acting chief of wildlife law enforcement for CPW, retiterated an agency theme that it’s a romantic myth to regard poachers as poor people trying to feed their families. Some kill for the thrill of killing and others for trophies, he said. Some kill for money, because trophy heads, antlers and bear gall bladders can be worth thousands of dollars.

“Hunters who keep shooting into a herd of animals should realize that not every animal goes down right away when it is hit,” Thompson said. “Not only is it unethical hunting, it leads to a lot of game waste, which in itself is illegal.”
Examples of mindless poaching are not hard to find.  MORE

Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact

The following comes from The Outdoor Wire.

I feel it is time Vermont and other states that are not part of this compact get onboard. There is no excuse for not presenting a united front against poaching. Suspensions of the right to hunt and fish has always been our best deterent to those tempted to violate. But with neighboring states close by our repeat violators have no problem "legaly" hunting will waiting out their Vermont suspensions. We could also easily become a destination state for out of state violators as more states clamp down an sigh the compact.

Pennsylvania Game Commission Praises Enactment Of Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact Bill

Pennsylvania Game Commission Executive Director Carl G. Roe praised Gov. Edward G. Rendell for signing Senate Bill 1200 into law, which clears the way for Pennsylvania to join the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact (IWVC). 

 

"We are one step closer to banding with 37 other states in a united front against convicted poachers, who steal from all citizens, most especially, law-abiding hunters," Roe said. "Once we complete the administrative step to join the compact, someone who has lost his or her hunting license privileges in one state for a poaching conviction will lose those hunting license privileges in Pennsylvania, as well as in all states that are members of the compact.

"In addition, individuals convicted of poaching here in Pennsylvania will lose their ability to lawfully hunt in the 37 other states who are members of the IWVC."| For More...

Ohio Man Pleads Guilty to Poaching $23,000 Trophy Buck

This news item from the Outdoor Wire. Interestingly, when this guy gets out of jail he could come to VT (and 16 other states) and hunt legally. So far Vermont has shown no interest in entering the interstate wildlife compact. Why? I have heard thru inside sources that Vt FWD doesn't want to lose any license sales. Sounds like we aught to put up some bill boards (outside the state lines of course- bill boards are illegal in VT) "Poachers Welcome"!

Ohio Man Pleads Guilty to Poaching $23,000 Trophy Buck

After pleading guilty to four charges including taking a deer in a closed season, hunting without permission, no license and no deer permit, a Scioto County, Ohio man has been fined $23,572.05 in restitution - the largest fine ever for a poached deer in Ohio. Beginning today, the confiscated deer will be available for photographing at the ODNR District Five office in Xenia. 

In addition, Clay will lose his hunting privileges for life. Clay had 10 prior wildlife convictions for deer violations and has spent time in jail for several of those offenses. He will be entered into the Wildlife Violator's Compact and most likely will lose hunting rights in 33 other states.

The Division of Wildlife is also imposing restitution for the deer in the amount of $23,572.05. This is in accordance with Ohio's revised restitution law for illegal taking of white-tailed deer. The law went into effect March 2008 and allows the Division of Wildlife to seek an increased recovery value on all illegally harvested wildlife.

The typical trophy deer, scored according to Boone & Crockett (B&C) guidelines, netted an impressive 197 2/8. This deer was the largest typical white-tailed deer harvested in North America during 2009. In Ohio, this deer would rank fourth all time in the Buckeye Big Buck Club records.| For More...

YouTube Poachers Caught

From the Wildlife Society Blog:

Justice is Served: YouTube Poachers Caught

August 10th, 2009

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The three young men who recorded their illegal hunting activities and posted the video on YouTube have been caught. David Fraser, James Fraser and Jeremy Rowlands pleaded guilty to unlawful hunting, hunting out of season, discharging a firearm from a vehicle, and leaving edible game behind. The Frasers were fined $5,000 each and Rowlands was fined $6,000; all lost their firearms, which were confiscated by authorities.

Read more

VT Poachers convicted

For Immediate Release: June 19, 2009

Media Contacts: Chad Barrett, Dennis Reinhardt, 802-241-3700

Two Central Vermont Deer Poaching Cases Result in Convictions

WATERBURY, VT – Five men were recently convicted in two cases involving the poaching of six deer in Waterbury Center and East Montpelier last October as a result of investigations by Vermont State Game Wardens.

A tip from a concerned hunter resulted in an investigation revealing that three doe and two large bucks were shot between 2 and 5 a.m. from a truck with a crossbow and light in Stowe and Waterbury Center.

Jason Trieb, age 27, from Burlington, shot one deer in Stowe and was convicted in Lamoille County District Court of taking deer by illegal means. He paid a $250.00 fine, $500.00 in restitution and lost his Vermont hunting and fishing license privileges for three years.

William Mitchell, age 51, from Starksboro, shot two deer in Stowe. He was convicted in Lamoille County District Court of shooting from a motor vehicle. He paid a $250.00 fine, $1000.00 in restitution and lost his license privileges for one year.

Lucas Ashley, age 28 from Shelburne, shot one deer in Stowe and one deer in Waterbury Center. He was convicted in Washington County District Court of taking deer by illegal means. He paid a fine of $581.00, restitution of $1,000.00 and lost his license privileges for 3 years.

Troy Ripley, age 30, from Waterbury Center, shot a five-point buck with a small caliber rifle early at approximately 2 a.m. in East Montpelier. He was convicted in Washington County District Court of taking deer by illegal means and went to jail for three days instead of paying a fine of $500. He did pay $300. in restitution.

Joseph Lupien, age 27, from Barre, held the spot-light beam on the deer while Ripley shot it. He was convicted in Washington County District Court of taking deer by illegal means. He was assessed a $500.00 fine and restitution of $500.00, but chose instead to do ten days in a Department of Corrections work crew.

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Caption for attached photo:

Photo by Warden Chad Barrett

A tip from a concerned hunter helped bring three men to justice for illegally shooting these five deer in Stowe and Waterbury, VT in October, 2008.

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