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JACKSON MAN CHARGED WITH FELONY AND 11 MISDEMEANORS FOR POACHING 11 ELK
WGFD
12/19/03
JACKSON - One felony and 11 misdemeanor charges have been filed against a Jackson man for allegedly killing 11 elk Nov. 24, 2003 in the Gros Ventre River drainage northeast of Jackson. Elliot Hudson, 20, could serve up to 21 years in prison and jail if given the maximum combined sentence for the 12 charges.
This poaching incident that unfolded near the Red Hills campground is one of the most egregious Jackson Game and Fish Department officers have ever experienced. At noon that day, a nearby witness heard several rifle shots and saw 13 elk, three of which were wounded, running from an area where he had seen a dark green Jeep Cherokee. The individual reported the incident to G&F officials who found Hudson and his Jeep Cherokee at the scene.
Jackson Game Warden Bill Long found several .223 caliber shells on the ground and 11 dead elk within 35 to 150 yards of the road. Jackson Police officer, Scott Terry, also questioned Hudson. Hudson told Terry he had no guns, but agreed to a vehicle search. Terry found a .223 semi-automatic rifle and a .30-06 rifle. A field necropsy of the elk carcasses by G&F Wildlife Investigator Fred Herbel discovered four bullets believed to be .223 caliber.
Further evidence included a video of the scene filmed by Hudson. "The cassette in part shows several dead elk, a crippled calf elk and audio comments indicating that poaching is illegal and the heinous nature of killing of the elk by poachers," Herbel said.
Hudson is being charged with felony property destruction for allegedly killing the elk, which belong to the state of Wyoming, valued at $6,000 each. Destroying property valued more than $500 is a felony. The property destruction charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
Hudson also faces nine misdemeanor charges of "wanton destruction of a big game animal" for killing nine antlerless elk and two misdemeanor charges of "taking certain big game animals during a closed season" for killing two antlered elk. Each charge carries a maximum one-year jail sentence.
"I've never seen anything like this," said Long, a game warden of 24 years. "Recovering all those dead elk made me sick. The individual that did this was not a hunter. This act had nothing to do with hunting. This was just killing."
G&F personnel worked through a snowstorm field dressing and salvaging the meat from 10 of the 11 elk. The meat was donated to needy families in the Jackson area.
It doesn't have to take a poaching incident of this magnitude to be reported. Information about any wildlife violation is encouraged to be forwarded to the Stop Poaching hotline at (800) 442-4331 or contact your local G&F office. Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward if the information leads to a conviction.
WGFD
12/19/03
JACKSON - One felony and 11 misdemeanor charges have been filed against a Jackson man for allegedly killing 11 elk Nov. 24, 2003 in the Gros Ventre River drainage northeast of Jackson. Elliot Hudson, 20, could serve up to 21 years in prison and jail if given the maximum combined sentence for the 12 charges.
This poaching incident that unfolded near the Red Hills campground is one of the most egregious Jackson Game and Fish Department officers have ever experienced. At noon that day, a nearby witness heard several rifle shots and saw 13 elk, three of which were wounded, running from an area where he had seen a dark green Jeep Cherokee. The individual reported the incident to G&F officials who found Hudson and his Jeep Cherokee at the scene.
Jackson Game Warden Bill Long found several .223 caliber shells on the ground and 11 dead elk within 35 to 150 yards of the road. Jackson Police officer, Scott Terry, also questioned Hudson. Hudson told Terry he had no guns, but agreed to a vehicle search. Terry found a .223 semi-automatic rifle and a .30-06 rifle. A field necropsy of the elk carcasses by G&F Wildlife Investigator Fred Herbel discovered four bullets believed to be .223 caliber.
Further evidence included a video of the scene filmed by Hudson. "The cassette in part shows several dead elk, a crippled calf elk and audio comments indicating that poaching is illegal and the heinous nature of killing of the elk by poachers," Herbel said.
Hudson is being charged with felony property destruction for allegedly killing the elk, which belong to the state of Wyoming, valued at $6,000 each. Destroying property valued more than $500 is a felony. The property destruction charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
Hudson also faces nine misdemeanor charges of "wanton destruction of a big game animal" for killing nine antlerless elk and two misdemeanor charges of "taking certain big game animals during a closed season" for killing two antlered elk. Each charge carries a maximum one-year jail sentence.
"I've never seen anything like this," said Long, a game warden of 24 years. "Recovering all those dead elk made me sick. The individual that did this was not a hunter. This act had nothing to do with hunting. This was just killing."
G&F personnel worked through a snowstorm field dressing and salvaging the meat from 10 of the 11 elk. The meat was donated to needy families in the Jackson area.
It doesn't have to take a poaching incident of this magnitude to be reported. Information about any wildlife violation is encouraged to be forwarded to the Stop Poaching hotline at (800) 442-4331 or contact your local G&F office. Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward if the information leads to a conviction.
