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CODY - A Rawlins man has received heavy fines for killing a bull elk with a rifle during the September archery season.
Ronald G. Leak was sentenced in Big Horn Circuit Court to pay fines of $780 and was ordered to pay $6,000 restitution to the State of Wyoming. In addition, Leak was placed on six months supervised probation and lost his hunting privileges for three years.
According to Wyoming Game and Fish Department investigating officers Tom DeSomber (Ten Sleep) and Jim Seeman (Buffalo), Leak poached the bull in elk hunt area 45 on Sept. 12 in the East Ten Sleep Creek drainage.
"When we interviewed Leak about the incident his story did not match the evidence and he eventually admitted his guilt," DeSomber said. "He said he was frustrated because he was unable to get close enough to the bull with his archery equipment, so he chose to harvest the elk with his rifle. The rifle season was closed."
Both DeSomber and Seeman feel strongly that poaching is a serious crime. "Hunting lawfully and ethically will help to ensure future hunting opportunity; intentionally breaking the law will not," DeSomber said.
Seeman added, "Poaching is mutiny on everyone*s bounty. People that poach deprive legitimate hunters from harvesting many game animals each year and we will continue to do what we can to catch them."
According to DeSomber the department and many county attorneys and judges also take wildlife violations seriously. "An individual who loses their privileges to hunt in Wyoming actually loses them in 31 states, all of which are members of the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact," DeSomber said.
The compact includes a reciprocal recognition of license suspension. Any person whose license privileges are suspended in Wyoming would also be suspended in the member states of Alaska, Nevada, Oregon, Colorado, Washington, Idaho, Arizona, Utah, Montana, Missouri, Maryland, Minnesota, North Dakota, New Mexico, Iowa, Indiana, California, Georgia, South Dakota, Michigan, Kansas, New York, Florida, Tennessee, Illinois, Mississippi, Ohio, Wisconsin, Kentucky and Louisiana.
Anyone witnessing a wildlife violation can call the Stop Poaching hotline at 1-877-WGFD-TIP. Tips are most helpful with specific information such as the date, time, location and specific details about the suspected violation.
It is also important to include a physical description of the suspected violator as well as a license plate number and description of any vehicles involved in the incident.
TONY MANDILE
How To Hunt Coues Deer
Ronald G. Leak was sentenced in Big Horn Circuit Court to pay fines of $780 and was ordered to pay $6,000 restitution to the State of Wyoming. In addition, Leak was placed on six months supervised probation and lost his hunting privileges for three years.
According to Wyoming Game and Fish Department investigating officers Tom DeSomber (Ten Sleep) and Jim Seeman (Buffalo), Leak poached the bull in elk hunt area 45 on Sept. 12 in the East Ten Sleep Creek drainage.
"When we interviewed Leak about the incident his story did not match the evidence and he eventually admitted his guilt," DeSomber said. "He said he was frustrated because he was unable to get close enough to the bull with his archery equipment, so he chose to harvest the elk with his rifle. The rifle season was closed."
Both DeSomber and Seeman feel strongly that poaching is a serious crime. "Hunting lawfully and ethically will help to ensure future hunting opportunity; intentionally breaking the law will not," DeSomber said.
Seeman added, "Poaching is mutiny on everyone*s bounty. People that poach deprive legitimate hunters from harvesting many game animals each year and we will continue to do what we can to catch them."
According to DeSomber the department and many county attorneys and judges also take wildlife violations seriously. "An individual who loses their privileges to hunt in Wyoming actually loses them in 31 states, all of which are members of the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact," DeSomber said.
The compact includes a reciprocal recognition of license suspension. Any person whose license privileges are suspended in Wyoming would also be suspended in the member states of Alaska, Nevada, Oregon, Colorado, Washington, Idaho, Arizona, Utah, Montana, Missouri, Maryland, Minnesota, North Dakota, New Mexico, Iowa, Indiana, California, Georgia, South Dakota, Michigan, Kansas, New York, Florida, Tennessee, Illinois, Mississippi, Ohio, Wisconsin, Kentucky and Louisiana.
Anyone witnessing a wildlife violation can call the Stop Poaching hotline at 1-877-WGFD-TIP. Tips are most helpful with specific information such as the date, time, location and specific details about the suspected violation.
It is also important to include a physical description of the suspected violator as well as a license plate number and description of any vehicles involved in the incident.
TONY MANDILE
How To Hunt Coues Deer
