Poaching

[Wapiti Slayer]

They should have gave him 5 years in jail.


Jackson man pleads guilty to poaching 11 elk


scjacpvs'

JACKSON, Wyo. (AP) - A man has pleaded guilty to killing 11 elk in what Game and Fish wardens call one of the worst poaching cases they can remember.

In a plea agreement, prosecutors agreed to drop a felony charge of property destruction against Elliott Hudson, 20, of Jackson, in exchange for a guilty plea to 11 misdemeanors.

Hudson faces up to a year in jail and $104,900 in fines and restitution at his sentencing. He could also get five years probation and have his hunting privileges suspended up to 64 years.

According to prosecutors, Hudson shot 11 elk Nov. 24 in the Gros Ventre River drainage. Witnesses reported the incident to Game and Fish wardens, who questioned Hudson with Jackson police at the scene.

Hudson initially told officers he had no guns, but police found two rifles in his vehicle that matched bullets lodged in the elk.

Further evidence included a video allegedly filmed by Hudson which showed several dead elk, a crippled elk calf still alive and audio comments about the legality of poaching and the heinous nature of killing the elk by poaching.

During a court appearance last week, Hudson told District Judge Tim Day that he had a hunting license and knew that the Gros Ventre area was closed to hunting at that time.


AP-WS-04-18-04 0013EDT

 

[FAIRCHASEBEN]

They should cut his balls off ! Did it mention the type of ATV he was using ?

 

[Elkhunter]

Here is the original story of when they caught him.

JACKSON MAN CHARGED WITH FELONY AND 11 MISDEMEANORS FOR POACHING 11 ELK

WGFD

12/19/03

JACKSON - One felony and 11 misdemeanor charges have been filed against a Jackson man for allegedly killing 11 elk Nov. 24, 2003 in the Gros Ventre River drainage northeast of Jackson. Elliot Hudson, 20, could serve up to 21 years in prison and jail if given the maximum combined sentence for the 12 charges.

This poaching incident that unfolded near the Red Hills campground is one of the most egregious Jackson Game and Fish Department officers have ever experienced. At noon that day, a nearby witness heard several rifle shots and saw 13 elk, three of which were wounded, running from an area where he had seen a dark green Jeep Cherokee. The individual reported the incident to G&F officials who found Hudson and his Jeep Cherokee at the scene.

Jackson Game Warden Bill Long found several .223 caliber shells on the ground and 11 dead elk within 35 to 150 yards of the road. Jackson Police officer, Scott Terry, also questioned Hudson. Hudson told Terry he had no guns, but agreed to a vehicle search. Terry found a .223 semi-automatic rifle and a .30-06 rifle. A field necropsy of the elk carcasses by G&F Wildlife Investigator Fred Herbel discovered four bullets believed to be .223 caliber.

Further evidence included a video of the scene filmed by Hudson. "The cassette in part shows several dead elk, a crippled calf elk and audio comments indicating that poaching is illegal and the heinous nature of killing of the elk by poachers," Herbel said.

Hudson is being charged with felony property destruction for allegedly killing the elk, which belong to the state of Wyoming, valued at $6,000 each. Destroying property valued more than $500 is a felony. The property destruction charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Hudson also faces nine misdemeanor charges of "wanton destruction of a big game animal" for killing nine antlerless elk and two misdemeanor charges of "taking certain big game animals during a closed season" for killing two antlered elk. Each charge carries a maximum one-year jail sentence.

"I've never seen anything like this," said Long, a game warden of 24 years. "Recovering all those dead elk made me sick. The individual that did this was not a hunter. This act had nothing to do with hunting. This was just killing."

G&F personnel worked through a snowstorm field dressing and salvaging the meat from 10 of the 11 elk. The meat was donated to needy families in the Jackson area.


It doesn't have to take a poaching incident of this magnitude to be reported. Information about any wildlife violation is encouraged to be forwarded to the Stop Poaching hotline at (800) 442-4331 or contact your local G&F office. Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward if the information leads to a conviction.

 

[JoseCuervo]

Terry found a .223 semi-automatic

Probably wouldn't hurt to ban the assault weapons...

 

[Michaelr]

Here is what type of ATV he was using
dark green Jeep Cherokee

Ban all JEEPS

 

[Michaelr]

I think my sig sure fits a bunch of folks around here

 

[Wapiti Slayer]

Originally posted by michaelr:
Here is what type of ATV he was using
dark green Jeep Cherokee

Ban all JEEPS

Hahahaha I was gonna say the same thing!

 

[Ithaca 37]

mike, there aren't many here who have less to say than you. BTW, thanks for admitting, finally, that what gunner and I have been telling you about cattle grazing on public land is true. Next time don't doubt us and you'll save yourself from looking foolish. Where ya gonna elk hunt next year? Found a new place the welfare cows haven't destroyed yet?

 

[Ten Bears]

The individual that did this was not a hunter.

Convince the anti's of that......

 

[ELKCHSR]

We could convince the Anti's of this if the news media would differentiate the difference.

 

[ELKCHSR]

Fun stuff Michael...LMAO!!!! A pic and a thousand words come to mind...