Kirt Darner in the news (again)

[Washington Hunter]

At the end of this article it mentions that Darner removed all of his B&C mule deer from the book. Is that true? I thought they were removed for him?

Friday, March 16, 2007

Trial date set in game case

By Mike Marino
Cibola County Bureau

GRANTS — Even legendary big game hunters and guides can be brought down by the full weight of the American legal system when they are convicted of breaking the law.

The case of Kirt Darner and his wife, Paula D. Darner, could provide a good example of that.

Some of the charges lodged against Darner, who was 66 at the time of the original indictment, are two counts each of transporting stolen livestock, receiving stolen property, conspiracy to transport stolen livestock and tampering with evidence. His wife, 49 at the time of her indictment, was charged with six felony and 13 misdemeanor charges.

The Darners' trial is expected to begin on April 23, 2007. Darner, if convicted of all charges could face maximum penalties of up to 33 years in prison on nine felony counts, while his wife, if convicted, could face up to 24 years in prison on six felony counts.

In February 2006, the grand jury indicted Darner for illegally drugging and moving up to four wild elk, three of them state-owned, on a 40-acre Lobo Canyon ranch to Pancho Peaks Ranch and Game Park, owned by Steve W. Lewis of Artesia in 2004. Lewis was indicted on two felony counts of conspiracy involving controlled substances to sedate a large bull elk for transportation.

Darner is from Crawford, Colo., and is best known as a noted trophy mule deer hunter, hunting guide and author of numerous trophy hunting books. Darner was also the subject of numerous articles and interviews in outdoor and hunting magazines, including many features on his life and career in "Outdoor Life."

Darner also claimed at one point in his long career that he had brought down more Boone and Crockett trophy deer than anyone else in the books; however, that claim was challenged, and in anger and protest, Darner removed all his claims from the Boone and Crockett record books.

Darner is no stranger to law enforcement. Once the advertising face for Remington bolt action rifles in the '70s and '80s, had his license revoked by wildlife authorities in Colorado for three years in 2001 after it was discovered that a hunter Darner was guiding shot illegally at an elk decoy from the window of a truck. The hunter Darner was guiding at the time also did not possess a permit for that particular hunt unit.

 

[csutton7]

Yea things seem pretty shakey for Kirt --I bought his books and read them like in one day--just loved them--I even talked to him on the phone once in the early 90's--sent him money for a new yet to be published book as I wanted one of the first ones signed by him and never received a book or refund---not that that has any bearing on this, but it's my Darner story and I'll be interested to see what comes of this---he's been suspected of many illegal activities and convicted of the one mentioned above--not sure if he's been convicted of any others---chris

 

[AkBearHunter]

"Darner also claimed at one point in his long career that he had brought down more Boone and Crockett trophy deer than anyone else in the books; however, that claim was challenged, and in anger and protest, Darner removed all his claims from the Boone and Crockett record books"
Now why would he get angry over something like this? all he has to do is count how many he has in the book and see what the nearest competitior has. Seems very childish to me. I use to read his stuff too and was always envious of him being able to hunt as much as he did for giant mule deer. Life sometimes takes a different turn for people and evidently it has taken a bad for Kirt and his wife. If they are guilty they should throw the book at them.