Law enforcement
Posted Monday, 19 December 2011 15:58
Utah Division of Wildlife Resources officers, with the help of two concerned citizens, unraveled a poaching case that involved several incidents of poached small game and big game animals. The investigation led to the arrest of a Salt Lake County resident on November 13, 2011.
The subject took numerous geese throughout Salt Lake City. Armed with a shotgun, pellet gun, or a suppressed .22 caliber handgun he stalked waterfowl at parks, golf courses, and hotels. He specifically targeted waterfowl with bands or collars, which are used by biologists to better manage migratory bird populations.
When officers apprehended the suspect, he was hunting with some friends on the Salt Lake Marsh on Kennecott property. He had shot six ducks and left them to waste on the marsh that day. The subject had also shot a swan, which he planned to have tagged by another hunter. To make matters worse, he was currently under a small-game hunting license suspension for shooting geese out of season in March, 2010.
The man was also in possession of 49 goose bands and 5 duck bands. These were seized as evidence along with several other neck collars at his residence.
Officers also determined that on a separate occasion, the individual had shot and killed a deer out of season while waterfowl hunting.
Poaching affects everyone in our communities. Utah citizens are robbed of viewing and legal hunting opportunities. With the active aid of individuals willing to safeguard our wildlife, poaching can be avoided. To date, officers have investigated 863 illegally killed animals — a value surpassing $637,000 — in 2011.
If you have any information that may help officers stop poaching activities, please call the Utah Turn in a Poacher Hotline (UTiP 1- 800-662-3337).
