Dont come out to Wyoming to poach!

[jnyork]

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Warden Nabs Deer Poacher Near Cody



12/16/2013

CODY - Recently in a Park County Circuit Court, Stephen Kovacs of Michigan pleaded guilty to taking a buck mule deer west of Cody without a license.

North Cody Game Warden Travis Crane said that he was able to close the case because he witnessed the crime and was able to collect critical evidence at the scene.

“On November 6, I witnessed Kovacs shoot a buck mule deer in the Wall Creek drainage on the North Fork of the Shoshone River,” Crane said. “When Kovacs was contacted at the site however, he denied shooting his rifle or knowing there was a dead buck mule deer near his location.”

Four other people in Kovacs hunting party also denied having knowledge of the illegally harvested buck. “Despite the fact that one member of the hunting party legally harvested a buck 100 yards away from the illegally harvested animal and they were the only group hunting the area, all five members of the hunting party denied involvement in the incidence through multiple interviews with Wyoming Game and Fish Department wardens,” Crane said.

Evidence collected at the scene indicated otherwise. “Boot tracks matching the tread pattern of Kovacs’ boots were found at the location of the deer carcass and casings matching a round from Kovacs’ rifle were found where the deer was shot from,” Crane said.

After Crane seized Kovacs' rifle and boots and issued a citation, Kovacs confessed to shooting the deer. “Kovacs admitted he got excited when he saw the buck, and was hoping to fill a deer tag for another member of his party,” Crane said.

Kovacs was ordered to pay $750 in court fines and $4,000 in restitution to the Wyoming Wildlife Protectors Association. Kovacs will lose all hunting, fishing and trapping privileges for the next three years.

Anyone with information on a wildlife violation may call the Stop Poaching hotline at 1-877-WGFD-TIP, report online at wgfd.wyo.gov, or call the Cody Game and Fish office at 307-527-7125. Those with information can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward.

(Contact: Tara Teaschner (307) 527-7125)

[Griff]

In other words, "don't get carried away!"

[Blaine]

In Washington, he would probably have lost his rig and guns....Anything he had with him in the way of hunting gear.

[El Chivo]

not even eggs?



I hear in some states they take your vehicle as well.

[Blaine]

In Washington, he would probably have lost his rig and guns....Anything he had with him in the way of hunting gear.

I hear in some states they take your vehicle as well.

[jeepnik]

What excuse can he possibly have? A few months lifting and carrying for the Fish & Game folks might be a better incentive than just a fine.

[Blaine]

What excuse can he possibly have? A few months lifting and carrying for the Fish & Game folks might be a better incentive than just a fine.

I think that goes on a whole lot...Party hunting....I have to admit that if a legit tag was going on the otherwise legal buck, I'd roll my eyes, but, not get upset....Same if the guy was feeding a hungry family...(flame suit on)

[6pt-sika]

What excuse can he possibly have? A few months lifting and carrying for the Fish & Game folks might be a better incentive than just a fine.

I think that goes on a whole lot...Party hunting....I have to admit that if a legit tag was going on the otherwise legal buck, I'd roll my eyes, but, not get upset....Same if the guy was feeding a hungry family...(flame suit on)

I've heard of some places where you have hunt clubs and they pool the tags and after each drive the deer get tagged etc . I don't care to get involved in that stuff . With my luck I'd have several tags and some other yahoo would use them . If I pays for the tag I wants to use da tag PERIOD !

[92&94]

I remember a kid in HS, got busted for spotlighting deer. Durn fool shot a stuffed deer.... twice!

[vancelw]

In Washington, he would probably have lost his rig and guns....Anything he had with him in the way of hunting gear.

I hear in some states they take your vehicle as well.

In Montana it is called an "outfit"

[vancelw]

I remember a kid in HS, got busted for spotlighting deer. Durn fool shot a stuffed deer.... twice!

Did you mean to post this here or on the reefer thread?

[1894c]

In the last three years in Eastern Washington we found 4 to 7 dead deer twice, the dead deer were lined up next to each other and certain parts were removed, the rest of the deer were left...we took pictures, GPS coordinates, and contacted the local Game Warden...I hate poaching, will make an exception for the poor, but even that issue could be handled on a case by case basis and controlled by the WMD... :(

[El Chivo]

I've heard of some places where you have hunt clubs and they pool the tags and after each drive the deer get tagged etc . I don't care to get involved in that stuff . With my luck I'd have several tags and some other yahoo would use them . If I pays for the tag I wants to use da tag PERIOD !

does that include guys who fill their tag, then take another with a tag bought in their wife's name? (non-hunting wife)

[Old Ironsights]

I've heard of some places where you have hunt clubs and they pool the tags and after each drive the deer get tagged etc . I don't care to get involved in that stuff . With my luck I'd have several tags and some other yahoo would use them . If I pays for the tag I wants to use da tag PERIOD !

does that include guys who fill their tag, then take another with a tag bought in their wife's name? (non-hunting wife)

Yes. Happens all the time in those midwest states that allow it (usually she has to be somewhere nearby though). I don't remember if MI is one of them, but IIRC MN allows party hunting, especially on drives, just this way.

That the party lied about it makes me believe they knew that WY doesn't allow shooting off someone elses tag - otherwise they would have argued "we have 4 tags & 4 deer, what's the problem"...

[92&94]

I remember a kid in HS, got busted for spotlighting deer. Durn fool shot a stuffed deer.... twice!

Did you mean to post this here or on the reefer thread?

It would work fine in either one