Man busted for poaching trophy bull elk in the Blue Mountains

[bobcat]

WDFW NEWS RELEASE
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091
http://wdfw.wa.gov/

March 18, 2011
Contact: Jon Horn, 509-528-1809

Poaching tip leads to guilty plea in one case,
charges in two others

OLYMPIA - A Kennewick man has pleaded guilty to charges of illegal big-game hunting in the Blue Mountains of Columbia County following an investigation by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW).

Jason Locke, 37, pleaded guilty March 9 in Columbia County District Court to poaching a bull elk and using a hunting license illegally. Locke was fined a total of $11,345, including a $6,000 criminal wildlife assessment penalty for taking a trophy-size bull elk.

Two other men - David E. Myles, 50, of Richland, and Brian E. Badgwell, 40, of Pomeroy - earlier pleaded guilty to charges of unlawfully transporting wildlife in that case.

Locke is also facing poaching charges in Chelan County, and allegations that he guided Columbia River steelhead trips without a commercial license.

Along with additional fines, Locke could lose hunting and fishing privileges for two years and forfeiture of elk meat and hunting and fishing equipment seized as evidence in those cases.

WDFW's investigation of Locke's activities was sparked by an anonymous tip to WDFW last October that he had killed two bull elk in the Blue Mountains and claimed one of them using his wife's permit tag. Under Washington law, it is illegal to harvest game for another person.

The informant also told WDFW enforcement officers that Locke killed a buck deer near Chelan in 2009 using his wife's permit tag.

Based on WDFW's investigation, Locke has been charged in Chelan County District Court with three counts of unlawful big game hunting and one charge of unlawful transportation of wildlife. He could face up to $6,000 in fines there, including a $4,000 criminal wildlife penalty assessment for taking a trophy-size buck deer.

In addition, Locke has been charged in Benton County District Court with unlawfully guiding fishing trips on the Columbia River without a license and making a false report regarding fish and wildlife. Both are gross misdemeanors, punishable by fines of more than $2,000.

That case, which WDFW investigated in conjunction with the Oregon State Police, has been forward to the U.S. Coast Guard, since Locke also did not have a required Coast Guard license to guide commercial fishing trips.

"All of these cases started with an anonymous tip by a concerned citizen," said Mike Cencil, WDFW deputy chief of enforcement. "We encourage people who witness fish and wildlife violations to contact the department and let us know about it."

The WDFW Enforcement Program encourages citizens who witness a fish and wildlife offense to report the violation. Reports can be filed by phone (1-877-933-9847), email (reportpoaching@dfw.wa.gov ) or text message (847411 TIP411). 



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[boonerboy]

lose his license for 2 years?  I hope that is wrong.....should be for life! I wonder how many bulls and bucks he shot and didnt get caught. 

[400out]

I wish they would say what area it was in  but I guess it doesn't matter, someone scored some points and GREAT FOR HIM     

Bobcat what's with the quote at the bottom of your post 

[400out]

lose his license for 2 years?  I hope that is wrong.....should be for life! I wonder how many bulls and bucks he shot and didnt get caught. 

sounds like he was only doing it when there was a permit in his hands, but who know where a pig like that would draw the line 

[400out]

Bobcat what's with the quote at the bottom of your post 

Never mind Bobcat, I just read through the "243" thread and I figured it out  Two can play at that game 

[hirshey]

lose his license for 2 years?  I hope that is wrong.....should be for life! I wonder how many bulls and bucks he shot and didnt get caught. 

My thoughts precisely.

But a #_(*$)Q(#*$  lowlife that does that kind of thing anyways doesn't adhere to seasons and lisences anyhow, I suppose.

[bobcat]

Yeah, not having a hunting license won't matter to him. He poached all his animals anyway. No license required for that!

[bigtex]

lose his license for 2 years?  I hope that is wrong.....should be for life! I wonder how many bulls and bucks he shot and didnt get caught. 

Unfortunately the only time you can have your license pulled for life in this state is if your caught hunting/fishing on a suspended license.

[bobcat]

What if you shoot and kill someone while hunting?

[danceswitharrows]

Thats a alot cheaper than the 47k to buy the auction tag, until the punishment is as harsh as the crime it will continue 

How many ex-wives would still be alive if all you got was a 12k fine and could not get married again for two years for getting rid of her 

[E-Town Hunter]

All though I personally agree that what he did was wrong and he deserves his punishment, but honestly.......I'll bet there is a pretty large contingent of people out there who "FILL" their wives tags for them. Sad but true folks.

[bigtex]

What if you shoot and kill someone while hunting?

Well believe it or not but there is a WDFW RCW for shooting another person/livestock (yes we are in the same law as a cow) and the penalty is a suspended license, not revocation. Now I cant remember a time when this offense was actually used for shooting a person, usually if someone shoots someone hunting there are some type of manslaughter, reckless endangerment charges, etc.

[bearpaw]

It seems like every year some idiot is poaching elk in the blues...

[Skyvalhunter]

It's just amazing there are so many repeat offenders which is more than likely because of the slap on the wrist they usually get.

[bigtex]

It's just amazing there are so many repeat offenders which is more than likely because of the slap on the wrist they usually get.

Do you really think taking peoples license away means they stop poaching?
Look at how many people WDFW catches on revoked or suspended licenses and are still hunting and fishing.

[bearpaw]

It's just amazing there are so many repeat offenders which is more than likely because of the slap on the wrist they usually get.

Do you really think taking peoples license away means they stop poaching?
Look at how many people WDFW catches on revoked or suspended licenses and are still hunting and fishing.

Good point that needed said. 

[Bob33]

What if you shoot and kill someone while hunting?

Well believe it or not but there is a WDFW RCW for shooting another person/livestock (yes we are in the same law as a cow) and the penalty is a suspended license, not revocation. Now I cant remember a time when this offense was actually used for shooting a person, usually if someone shoots someone hunting there are some type of manslaughter, reckless endangerment charges, etc.

RCW 77.15.720: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=77.15.720
1) If a person shoots another person or domestic livestock while hunting, the director shall revoke all hunting licenses and suspend all hunting privileges for three years. If the shooting of another person or livestock is the result of criminal negligence or reckless or intentional conduct, then the person's privileges shall be suspended for ten years. The suspension shall be continued beyond these periods if damages owed to the victim or livestock owner have not been paid by the suspended person. A hunting license shall not be reissued to the suspended person unless authorized by the director.

     (2) Within twenty days of service of an order suspending privileges or imposing conditions under this section or RCW 77.15.710, a person may petition for administrative review under chapter 34.05 RCW by serving the director with a petition for review. The order is final and unappealable if there is no timely petition for administrative review.

     (3) The commission may by rule authorize petitions for reinstatement of administrative suspensions and define circumstances under which reinstatement will be allowed.

[Pathfinder101]

It's just amazing there are so many repeat offenders which is more than likely because of the slap on the wrist they usually get.

Do you really think taking peoples license away means they stop poaching?

No, but it makes them a lot easier to track and re-ticket.  If you are a gamey, and you know this guys had his license pulled, and you see his truck parked out somewhere during hunting season, you investigate.  

[bigtex]

It's just amazing there are so many repeat offenders which is more than likely because of the slap on the wrist they usually get.

Do you really think taking peoples license away means they stop poaching?

No, but it makes them a lot easier to track and re-ticket.  If you are a gamey, and you know this guys had his license pulled, and you see his truck parked out somewhere during hunting season, you investigate.  

Thats true but there are hundreds, if not a thousand or more people who have a suspended license in WA. A fewer amount are also revoked. WA is part of an agreement where if you loose your license in one state you loose it in many other states so there are a lot of people to "watch". Is it possible for the local WDFW Officer to know the local people who are suspended? Possibly but depends on the area. But how many people only hunt locally? There is no way an officer knows every vehicle and every suspended/revoked hunter.

[rtspring]

If you are caught POACHING, It should be you lose your riht to ever hunt or fish in the state of Washington for life.

I don't care if it is a duck,sheep, moose, pheasant ,deer, elk  whatever.  

Poaching is Poaching and should not be tolerated in any shape or form. No second chances period...

[Pathfinder101]

..

It's just amazing there are so many repeat offenders which is more than likely because of the slap on the wrist they usually get.

Do you really think taking peoples license away means they stop poaching?

No, but it makes them a lot easier to track and re-ticket.  If you are a gamey, and you know this guys had his license pulled, and you see his truck parked out somewhere during hunting season, you investigate. 

Thats true but there are hundreds, if not a thousand or more people who have a suspended license in WA. A fewer amount are also revoked. WA is part of an agreement where if you loose your license in one state you loose it in many other states so there are a lot of people to "watch". Is it possible for the local WDFW Officer to know the local people who are suspended? Possibly but depends on the area. But how many people only hunt locally? There is no way an officer knows every vehicle and every suspended/revoked hunter.

Not every one, but if they're local, I can tell you without doubt, they know your rig...

.

[bigtex]

Poaching is Poaching and should not be tolerated in any shape or form. No second chances period...

Not to bash you, but what is poaching?
Any violation of WDFW reg is poaching? So something like a barbed hook?
Over limit of one trout? Overlimit of one clam which will cost ya 54?

"Poaching" does not have a legal definition in WA state. So what might be poaching to one person is not to another. There are many "good" people that have WDFW tickets, most aren't for "serious" violations, should those lose their licenses?

[Pathfinder101]

Poaching is Poaching and should not be tolerated in any shape or form. No second chances period...

Not to bash you, but what is poaching?
Any violation of WDFW reg is poaching? So something like a barbed hook?
Over limit of one trout? Overlimit of one clam which will cost ya 54?

"Poaching" does not have a legal definition in WA state. So what might be poaching to one person is not to another. There are many "good" people that have WDFW tickets, most aren't for "serious" violations, should those lose their licenses?

Oh boy.  Here we go.  THe unanswerable questions:

1.  What is God?
2.  What is the meaning of life?
3.  WHat is the sound of one hand clapping?
4.  If a tree falls in the forest and there is no one there to hear it, does it make a sound?
5.  What is true poaching....?

 

[runamuk]

Poaching is Poaching and should not be tolerated in any shape or form. No second chances period...

Not to bash you, but what is poaching?
Any violation of WDFW reg is poaching? So something like a barbed hook?
Over limit of one trout? Overlimit of one clam which will cost ya 54?

"Poaching" does not have a legal definition in WA state. So what might be poaching to one person is not to another. There are many "good" people that have WDFW tickets, most aren't for "serious" violations, should those lose their licenses?

Oh boy.  Here we go.  THe unanswerable questions:

1.  What is God?
2.  What is the meaning of life?
3.  WHat is the sound of one hand clapping?
4.  If a tree falls in the forest and there is no one there to hear it, does it make a sound?
5.  What is true poaching....?

 

yeah what he said......

[bigtex]

Poaching is Poaching and should not be tolerated in any shape or form. No second chances period...

Not to bash you, but what is poaching?
Any violation of WDFW reg is poaching? So something like a barbed hook?
Over limit of one trout? Overlimit of one clam which will cost ya 54?

"Poaching" does not have a legal definition in WA state. So what might be poaching to one person is not to another. There are many "good" people that have WDFW tickets, most aren't for "serious" violations, should those lose their licenses?

Oh boy.  Here we go.  THe unanswerable questions:

1.  What is God?
2.  What is the meaning of life?
3.  WHat is the sound of one hand clapping?
4.  If a tree falls in the forest and there is no one there to hear it, does it make a sound?
5.  What is true poaching....?

 

Well its a topic I deal with everyday. And when someone comes on here and says all poachers should lose their license, well there is no definition of poacher. Thats like saying all drunks shouldn't drive, does that mean everyone who has ever been drunk or everyone who has been arrested for DUI?

[rtspring]

BIGTEX,

It shouldn't be that hard to define it.  We all know what it is do we not?

If you don't you shouldn't be hunting or fishing........
Or are we gonna hide behind the legal paperwork once again???

[bigtex]

BIGTEX,

It shouldn't be that hard to define it.  We all know what it is do we not?

If you don't you shouldn't be hunting or fishing........
Or are we gonna hide behind the legal paperwork once again???

So then according to you every person who is cited for barbed hook which isn't a criminal offense is a poacher?
Think there are a lot of people that would disagree.

[rtspring]

I'm speaking about the people illegaly taking such as an ELK out of seaon, with no tag, no license.

What most consider "poaching"..

You obviously know the books real well. I have read alot of your posts.

I was trying to state the fact that if you commit the above stated  "Poaching" you should be banned for life.

Wasn't trying to say what was written or what wasn't. Maybe with all your knowledge of the subect you could do somehting about it.

[jackelope]

Anybody know if this was the Peola bull(s) that got poached last year?
400out?

[Sumpnneedskillin]

 

Anybody know if this was the Peola bull(s) that got poached last year?
400out?

I don't think so.  The article mentioned he used his wife's tag.

[400out]

Anybody know if this was the Peola bull(s) that got poached last year?
400out?

I'm not sure! I've made some calls  Doesn't sound like it though 

[pianoman9701]

There's no distinction between having an extra trout in your bag and killing a trophy bull, other than having to pay the wildlife assessment fine for the bull. Perhaps there should be varying degrees of poaching and then, we're making the rule books bigger and that makes everyone mad. I'd be all for someone like this losing his license for life. I think the guy with the extra fish should lose it for 2 years. But again, that would take new regulations and people don't like that. It'd be nice if everyone were just ethical hunters/fishermen and we didn't have to address this. In a perfect world,...

[ThePascoKid]

I'm thinking it was Tucannon or Dayton, seeing as how there is only a little tiny sliver of Columbia county in Peola

[elkinrutdrivemenuts]

So am I reading this wrong? Did him and his wife get drawn for a bull tag and he shot them both? Or did they have spike only tags and whack 2 big bulls? 

[ThePascoKid]

I think she had a bull tag and he shot hers and an extra

[pianoman9701]

The way I read it is he and she both had a tag, and he shot both animals. Tough getting caught breaking the law, I guess.

[elkinrutdrivemenuts]

If that's the case this is not poaching it's called group hunting, still illegal but not poaching. Tags were issued and tags were filled no extra bulls were taken than the state had planned on.  Unless his wife was back at home and not even hunting, then it's not poaching.  Thanks wdfw for making us think your actually doing something, try catching a real criminal.
If i was hunting with my wife and we had bull tags, she better not miss or I'm pulling the trigger!

[dreamingbig]

elkinrutdrivemenuts-

Sir, I respectfully disagree.  It is poaching.  Poaching is the unlawful shooting of game when you don't have the right to.  As you stated, it is illegal to shoot an animal for another person and it isn't the first time he has done it (reference the article and shooting a deer for her in 2009).  Think about how your draw odds are being affected by him applying for her and shooting game for her.  It isn't right and it isn't lawful.  Two years penalty isn't enough in my opinion.

[elkinrutdrivemenuts]

Read what I wrote, if she is not even hunting and is sitting at home, that's poaching. If they had been applying for years, she can't hit the broad side of a barn or wounds one  and he drops it for her, that isn't poaching. It sounds like he was doing the first, which is not cool. Yea it affects our drawings. They are not clear however as to what the situation. The need some more detail. 

[h20hunter]

I will second the opinion that it is poaching by legal definition. It may be unlawfull but not poaching in your opinion but opinions don't count when there is a legal definition.

[SnakeEyes]

If you cannot hit the broadside of a barn and take an animal ethically you should not be hunting wether it is your wife or best friend. This is clearly poaching. Party hunting is not legal.

[ThePascoKid]

The way I read it in the Tri-city Herald was that he shot 2 bulls with 1 tag and it was his wifes tag.

[pianoman9701]

Well, that would clear up the poaching question. It's too bad this guy'll be able to hunt in two years.

[elkinrutdrivemenuts]

Ok it was an example guys, everyone misses or wounds their game at times, a little help is warranted to prevent wounded game
From getting away.  However it appears the guy was hunting with 2 tags and his wife wasn't around, that is poaching not group hunting.  Group hunting is totally different. If two guys are shooting at 1 bull, they both have tags, and they both hit it, is that illegal? Do you really draw stick when a animal jumps up to see who should donthe shooting. Who cares if you got meat in the fridge. That is an example of group hunting, helping others in the taking if game, not taking game for them when they are not even hunting!

[bigtex]

I will second the opinion that it is poaching by legal definition. It may be unlawfull but not poaching in your opinion but opinions don't count when there is a legal definition.

There is no legal definition (at least in WA) of poaching.

[h20hunter]

I suppose you are right. I was using "Poaching is the unlawful shooting of game when you don't have the right to" as a definition pertaining to this situation.