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Poaching costs man gun rights
July 10, 2003
By LEE JUILLERAT, Klamath Falls) Herald and News
A Glide man who admitted to police he poached at least 13 deer lost his right to own firearms this week after being sentenced in Lake County Circuit Court.
Thomas Rondeau III, 21, entered guilty pleas Monday to three felony counts of taking a deer during a closed season, one felony count of first-degree theft, and a misdemeanor count of taking a deer with the aid of an artificial light.
The case stems from an Oregon State Police investigation last December. Game officers were given a tip that Rondeau and another man were in the Fort Rock area trying to shoot trophy mule deer during the rut. Officers located Rondeau and the other man at their camp, where they had killed six buck deer.
Rondeau confessed to having illegally killed four of the six deer. When officers confronted the two about the bone pile located near camp, Rondeau told officers he and a group of friends had illegally taken nine buck deer a year earlier.
OSP game officers in the Glide area continued the investigation by contacting other people mentioned by Rondeau and seizing several sets of antlers.
Under terms of the negotiated settlement, Rondeau will on probation for 24 months and must spend 40 days in jail. Because four charges are felonies, he will no longer be able to own or possess any firearms. His hunting privileges will be suspended for five years.
During his probation period, Rondeau will be required to complete 400 hours of community service work and pay the state $3,200 for eight deer he illegally shot. He must also forfeit any illegally taken antlers and a .30-06-caliber rifle.
Rondeau also agreed to testify truthfully in any investigation or prosecution regarding four other men.
Lake County District Attorney David Schutt said he was pleased with the settlement.
"While these offenses could have been charged as misdemeanors, the fact that these trips were specifically designed to take trophy deer during the rut demands felony treatment," Schutt said. "The actions of these poachers damage the reputation of the majority of hunters, who respect wildlife and obey the law."
Regional Editor Lee Juillerat covers Lake, Siskiyou, Modoc and northern Klamath counties. He can be reached at 885-4421, (800) 275-0982, or by e-mail at lee@heraldandnews.com.
July 10, 2003
By LEE JUILLERAT, Klamath Falls) Herald and News
A Glide man who admitted to police he poached at least 13 deer lost his right to own firearms this week after being sentenced in Lake County Circuit Court.
Thomas Rondeau III, 21, entered guilty pleas Monday to three felony counts of taking a deer during a closed season, one felony count of first-degree theft, and a misdemeanor count of taking a deer with the aid of an artificial light.
The case stems from an Oregon State Police investigation last December. Game officers were given a tip that Rondeau and another man were in the Fort Rock area trying to shoot trophy mule deer during the rut. Officers located Rondeau and the other man at their camp, where they had killed six buck deer.
Rondeau confessed to having illegally killed four of the six deer. When officers confronted the two about the bone pile located near camp, Rondeau told officers he and a group of friends had illegally taken nine buck deer a year earlier.
OSP game officers in the Glide area continued the investigation by contacting other people mentioned by Rondeau and seizing several sets of antlers.
Under terms of the negotiated settlement, Rondeau will on probation for 24 months and must spend 40 days in jail. Because four charges are felonies, he will no longer be able to own or possess any firearms. His hunting privileges will be suspended for five years.
During his probation period, Rondeau will be required to complete 400 hours of community service work and pay the state $3,200 for eight deer he illegally shot. He must also forfeit any illegally taken antlers and a .30-06-caliber rifle.
Rondeau also agreed to testify truthfully in any investigation or prosecution regarding four other men.
Lake County District Attorney David Schutt said he was pleased with the settlement.
"While these offenses could have been charged as misdemeanors, the fact that these trips were specifically designed to take trophy deer during the rut demands felony treatment," Schutt said. "The actions of these poachers damage the reputation of the majority of hunters, who respect wildlife and obey the law."
Regional Editor Lee Juillerat covers Lake, Siskiyou, Modoc and northern Klamath counties. He can be reached at 885-4421, (800) 275-0982, or by e-mail at lee@heraldandnews.com.
