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Man poaches elk, loses guns
June 5, 2003
By DOUG HIGGS, Herald and News (Klamath Falls) Staff Writer
A Bend man convicted of poaching an elk in Klamath County last fall has been stripped of his right to hunt again, or even to own firearms.
A jury in Klamath County Circuit Court on Wednesday found Jack Dennis Waterfield, 53, guilty of first-degree theft for illegally killing an elk on private property near the Deschutes County line.
Waterfield was also sentenced to five days in jail and ordered by Judge Rodger Isaacson to pay $1,500 restitution to the Department of Fish and Wildlife.
The jury of seven women and five men deliberated for 20 minutes before finding Waterfield guilty of the crime that was committed Nov. 8.
The crime was discovered by police as a result of a call to a "tip line" sponsored by the Oregon Hunters' Association and the Fish and Wildlife Service, according to Klamath County Deputy District Attorney Mark Costello, who prosecuted the case.
A search warrant was served at Waterfield's address, and Oregon State Police officers found the remains of an elk hanging on his property.
The prosecution also presented as evidence a letter written by Waterfield in which he outlined his intentions to poach the elk, and of his later talking about poaching the elk after the crime was committed, Costello said.
Because his conviction was on a felony charge, Waterfield will not be allowed to have a firearm in his possession.
"We hope this case sends a message to those who hunt illegally in Klamath County," said Klamath County District Attorney Ed Caleb.
End article
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What do you think? Is this too harsh or is it the message we need to send to poachers? A small fine, loss of a rifle and a year or two hunting seasons doesn't seem to be working in most states. Should you lose the right to own guns if caught poaching?
June 5, 2003
By DOUG HIGGS, Herald and News (Klamath Falls) Staff Writer
A Bend man convicted of poaching an elk in Klamath County last fall has been stripped of his right to hunt again, or even to own firearms.
A jury in Klamath County Circuit Court on Wednesday found Jack Dennis Waterfield, 53, guilty of first-degree theft for illegally killing an elk on private property near the Deschutes County line.
Waterfield was also sentenced to five days in jail and ordered by Judge Rodger Isaacson to pay $1,500 restitution to the Department of Fish and Wildlife.
The jury of seven women and five men deliberated for 20 minutes before finding Waterfield guilty of the crime that was committed Nov. 8.
The crime was discovered by police as a result of a call to a "tip line" sponsored by the Oregon Hunters' Association and the Fish and Wildlife Service, according to Klamath County Deputy District Attorney Mark Costello, who prosecuted the case.
A search warrant was served at Waterfield's address, and Oregon State Police officers found the remains of an elk hanging on his property.
The prosecution also presented as evidence a letter written by Waterfield in which he outlined his intentions to poach the elk, and of his later talking about poaching the elk after the crime was committed, Costello said.
Because his conviction was on a felony charge, Waterfield will not be allowed to have a firearm in his possession.
"We hope this case sends a message to those who hunt illegally in Klamath County," said Klamath County District Attorney Ed Caleb.
End article
==========================================
What do you think? Is this too harsh or is it the message we need to send to poachers? A small fine, loss of a rifle and a year or two hunting seasons doesn't seem to be working in most states. Should you lose the right to own guns if caught poaching?
