Law enforcement
Posted Tuesday, 16 October 2012 00:00
SOUTHERN BOOK CLIFFS — A phone call to the Utah Division of Wildlife Turn-in-a-Poacher (UTiP) hotline prompted an investigation and successful prosecution of three Colorado residents in the illegal taking of a 4x4 buck and doe deer. The incident occurred three miles outside the Colorado border in Utah's Book Cliffs back in November 2011.
Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (UDWR) Conservation Officer TJ Robertson worked closely with officer Elissa Knox of the Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife to put together a solid case. The investigation revealed that Ostan Ware, Ryan Hagin and Kody Kean did not possess valid permits for the take of either animal. It was also discovered that the doe was left behind to rot. The suspects posted pictures of the illegally killed wildlife online.
All three suspects pleaded guilty to Class A misdemeanor charges of Wanton Destruction of Protected Wildlife and/or Aiding and Assisting the Wanton Destruction of Protected Wildlife. The Seventh Judicial District Court of Grand County, Utah ordered all three violators to pay $1,000 each in fines and $800 restitution.
Ware and Hagin were subsequently suspended for all big game hunting privileges for a period of 10 years in Utah and 37 other states participating in the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact. Kean received a five-year suspension for his role in the violation.
Without the efforts of concerned sportsmen, this case—and many others like it—would go unnoticed. Utah conservation officers thank all the sportsmen who take the time to report observed or suspected violations.
The sportsman who reported this violation received a poaching-reported reward permit to hunt the Book Cliffs Limited Entry Deer Unit this year.
Anyone who observes, or suspects, a wildlife violation has occurred is encouraged to report the incident as soon as possible by calling the UTiP hotline at 1-800-662-3337.
