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August 25, 2003
Cody outfitter appeals revocation of license
Associated Press
CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) - A Cody man is appealing the third revocation of his outfitter's license in 10 years, this time based on hunter complaints.
Attorney Daniel Frank argued before the Wyoming Supreme Court this week that the "attitude" of John Billings is what cost him his license, and that the Wyoming Board of Outfitters has "personal animosity" toward him.
"This has been a long running battle between the board and Mr. Billings," Frank said.
Billings has escorted hunting parties in the Shoshone and Bridger-Teton national forests the past 20 years.
He lost his outfitter's license the first time in 1990 for allegedly allowing meat from elk shot by hunters to spoil before being delivered to a Cody meat processor. The Supreme Court, however, reversed that ruling.
The court also reversed the board's second attempt to revoke Billings' license in 1998, which was based on written complaints from hunters. Justices, however, said the board did not adequately document its case against Billings.
The board revoked Billings' license a third time when it got the case back, but this time gave more specific reasons, Senior Assistant Attorney General Ken Nelson said Thursday.
According to Nelson, one client complained to the board he saw a cook draw water out of a stream that a horse had just defecated in.
Frank, however, called the incident an isolated one and said the man never complained to Billings until he was back home in California.
The board also concluded Billings had abandoned a woman who felt ill on the trail, giving her some food and leaving her with one of three men in the party who had wilderness training.
According to Frank, Billings had to fire two men that day for drinking on the job, which forced him to take the party on the trail himself. He left for the trailhead himself because he was afraid his mule train would break.
Nelson said one of the men in the party thought the woman was hypothermic and testified Billings should not have a license because of the incident.
"He basically went off and left her," Nelson said.
The court has yet to issue an opinion.
Cody outfitter appeals revocation of license
Associated Press
CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) - A Cody man is appealing the third revocation of his outfitter's license in 10 years, this time based on hunter complaints.
Attorney Daniel Frank argued before the Wyoming Supreme Court this week that the "attitude" of John Billings is what cost him his license, and that the Wyoming Board of Outfitters has "personal animosity" toward him.
"This has been a long running battle between the board and Mr. Billings," Frank said.
Billings has escorted hunting parties in the Shoshone and Bridger-Teton national forests the past 20 years.
He lost his outfitter's license the first time in 1990 for allegedly allowing meat from elk shot by hunters to spoil before being delivered to a Cody meat processor. The Supreme Court, however, reversed that ruling.
The court also reversed the board's second attempt to revoke Billings' license in 1998, which was based on written complaints from hunters. Justices, however, said the board did not adequately document its case against Billings.
The board revoked Billings' license a third time when it got the case back, but this time gave more specific reasons, Senior Assistant Attorney General Ken Nelson said Thursday.
According to Nelson, one client complained to the board he saw a cook draw water out of a stream that a horse had just defecated in.
Frank, however, called the incident an isolated one and said the man never complained to Billings until he was back home in California.
The board also concluded Billings had abandoned a woman who felt ill on the trail, giving her some food and leaving her with one of three men in the party who had wilderness training.
According to Frank, Billings had to fire two men that day for drinking on the job, which forced him to take the party on the trail himself. He left for the trailhead himself because he was afraid his mule train would break.
Nelson said one of the men in the party thought the woman was hypothermic and testified Billings should not have a license because of the incident.
"He basically went off and left her," Nelson said.
The court has yet to issue an opinion.
