WGFD nabs deer poachers
Two Rock Springs men convicted of poaching mule deer near Pinedale
by Wyoming Game & Fish
October 19, 2011
PINEDALE - Two Rock Springs men recently were convicted of charges relating to shooting and abandoning a mule deer doe south of Pinedale last fall.
Andrew D. McGahuey pled guilty to wanton destruction of a doe mule deer, taking deer on private land without permission, and shooting a doe mule deer from a public roadway. David A. McGahuey pled guilty to accessory to wanton destruction of a doe mule deer.
Sublette County Circuit Court Judge Curt Haws sentenced Andrew D. McGahuey to pay $3,000 in restitution for the deer, a $720 fine, and loss of hunting and fishing privileges for five years. The loss of hunting and fishing privileges applies not only to Wyoming, but 13 additional western states. Additionally, McGahuey had $2,000 in fines and 180 days jail suspended while he serves six months probation.
David A. McGahuey was sentenced to a $740 fine and loss of hunting and fishing privileges for five years as well. Additionally, $4,500 in fines and 180 days jail were suspended while the elder McGahuey also serves six months probation.
On October 10, 2010, South Pinedale Game Warden Jordan Kraft received a trespass complaint from landowners of the Mountain Springs Ranch located southeast of Pinedale, WY. The report indicated two men may have shot at mule deer on their deeded property from the Scab Creek Public Access Road. Initially, the men were confronted by a ranch worker, but denied shooting and fabricated a story that they had seen other hunters shooting and watched them flee the area. The ranch worker was able to record partial license plate information from the McGahuey’s truck.
Subsequent investigation revealed that the McGahueys had in fact shot a doe mule deer and left it to waste on the Mountain Springs Ranch.
"This is a good example how a concerned citizen stepping forward with information on a wrong-doing can make a big difference," said Kraft. "We wouldn’t have been able to bring these individuals to justice without the efforts and concern of the members of the Mountain Springs Ranch."
Kraft also commended the work of Judge Curt Haws and assistance of the Sublette County Attorney’s Office. "I think the sentence sends a strong message that wildlife is a treasured resource in Sublette County and such wildlife crimes will not be tolerated."
Anyone with information on a possible poaching incident should call the STOP POACHING hotline at 1-877-WGFD-TIP (1-877-943-3847), any Game and Fish regional office, or any Game Warden. Information can also be reported through the hunting page of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department’s web site at http://gf.state.wy.us. Any information leading to an arrest and conviction may result in a reward of up to $5,000.00.
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