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10 men face felony charges in killing of 24 antelopes.
Animals had been shot, run over on private land in Texas Panhandle
12/19/2001
By DIANE JENNINGS / The Dallas Morning News
Ten people have been indicted on charges of slaughtering 24 antelopes in the Texas Panhandle last year.
The indictments for "taking wildlife without consent of landowner," a third-degree felony, were handed down by a Dallam County grand jury last week, a year after the dead animals were discovered on a ranch near Kerrick, Texas. Several government agencies were involved in the investigation.
If convicted, the men each face up to 10 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000, plus restitution equal to the value of the animals.
The carcasses were found after firefighters responded to a grass fire last December. When wardens from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department were called, they found evidence that some of the animals had been shot at close range with shotguns and some had been run over with vehicles, resulting in broken legs and other injuries, officials said..
The slaughter was "wanton waste of wildlife resources," said Steve Lightfoot, spokesman for Texas Parks and Wildlife.
Federal and local officials helped launch an investigation.
Five men from Texas, one from Oklahoma, and four from Mississippi were charged. The five Texans are Wes Avent, 26, of Amarillo, and Billy H. Collums, 23, Kenna Collums, 20, Leonard Hawkins, 40, and Brady Schoonover, 31, all of Kerrick. The other defendants are Paul Wells, 46, of Boise City, Okla.; Cavin T. Foster, 21, of Pontotoc, Miss.; Jason Holladay and Michael Wilson, both 24 and both from Houlka, Miss.; and Clayton Watkins, 23, of Van Fleet, Miss.
The case is unusual, said Dallam County District Attorney David Green, because of the large number of animals killed.
Even though the pronghorn antelopes were killed on private land, they are a native species that belong to the people of Texas, Mr. Lightfoot said. The animals, which weigh less than 100 pounds, are not an endangered species. They can be hunted by permit only.
In recent years, drought has reduced the number of antelopes in the state, from about 24,500 in 1987 to around 11,000 today. Their numbers are strong in Dallam County, Mr. Lightfoot said.
Kyle Lewis, whose firm is representing seven of the 10 defendants, said he could not comment on the case. But he said the animals are a nuisance for local landowners.
"Most if not all of the landowners will tell you the sheer number of antelopes in the area is a real problem," he said. "They run through fences, they allow cattle to escape, antelope damage and destroy the crops in the area.
"We do not believe the charges are valid charges," Mr. Lewis said.
Animals had been shot, run over on private land in Texas Panhandle
12/19/2001
By DIANE JENNINGS / The Dallas Morning News
Ten people have been indicted on charges of slaughtering 24 antelopes in the Texas Panhandle last year.
The indictments for "taking wildlife without consent of landowner," a third-degree felony, were handed down by a Dallam County grand jury last week, a year after the dead animals were discovered on a ranch near Kerrick, Texas. Several government agencies were involved in the investigation.
If convicted, the men each face up to 10 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000, plus restitution equal to the value of the animals.
The carcasses were found after firefighters responded to a grass fire last December. When wardens from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department were called, they found evidence that some of the animals had been shot at close range with shotguns and some had been run over with vehicles, resulting in broken legs and other injuries, officials said..
The slaughter was "wanton waste of wildlife resources," said Steve Lightfoot, spokesman for Texas Parks and Wildlife.
Federal and local officials helped launch an investigation.
Five men from Texas, one from Oklahoma, and four from Mississippi were charged. The five Texans are Wes Avent, 26, of Amarillo, and Billy H. Collums, 23, Kenna Collums, 20, Leonard Hawkins, 40, and Brady Schoonover, 31, all of Kerrick. The other defendants are Paul Wells, 46, of Boise City, Okla.; Cavin T. Foster, 21, of Pontotoc, Miss.; Jason Holladay and Michael Wilson, both 24 and both from Houlka, Miss.; and Clayton Watkins, 23, of Van Fleet, Miss.
The case is unusual, said Dallam County District Attorney David Green, because of the large number of animals killed.
Even though the pronghorn antelopes were killed on private land, they are a native species that belong to the people of Texas, Mr. Lightfoot said. The animals, which weigh less than 100 pounds, are not an endangered species. They can be hunted by permit only.
In recent years, drought has reduced the number of antelopes in the state, from about 24,500 in 1987 to around 11,000 today. Their numbers are strong in Dallam County, Mr. Lightfoot said.
Kyle Lewis, whose firm is representing seven of the 10 defendants, said he could not comment on the case. But he said the animals are a nuisance for local landowners.
"Most if not all of the landowners will tell you the sheer number of antelopes in the area is a real problem," he said. "They run through fences, they allow cattle to escape, antelope damage and destroy the crops in the area.
"We do not believe the charges are valid charges," Mr. Lewis said.
