WGFD nabs antelope poachers
Two men convicted for illegally shooting 3 pronghorn south of Big Piney
by Wyoming Game & Fish
May 27, 2009
Pinedale resident Kenny Green and Donald Cooper of Arkansas, were recently convicted for illegally shooting and wasting three pronghorn antelope south of Big Piney last fall.
On October 11, 2008 a "Stop Poaching" report was received indicating two individuals had shot and left some antelope in a ranch field south of Big Piney. Wyoming Game and Fish Department wardens Adam Hymas and Brian Nesvik responded with assistance from the Sublette County sheriff's office. Three antelope that had been shot and left were located.
On October 13th, off-duty highway patrol officer Brandon Deckert observed a vehicle matching the description of the suspect vehicle. Further investigation revealed that Green, 43, recently relocated from Arkansas and living in Pinedale, and Donald Cooper, 45, were involved in the violations.
According to statements made by the two, they were trying to fill their antelope doe/fawn tags and got a little carried away with shooting. They had kept two antelope, but disregarded the law and left a yearling buck and two other does they had shot.
Green was charged with multiple counts of waste of big game, over limit of big game, wrong sex, game bird and small game violations. Cooper was charged with accessory to waste and failure to leave evidence of sex. In a plea agreement, Green was sentenced $1,460 and 6 years suspension of his hunting privileges in Wyoming and all other states of the violator compact. Cooper paid $520 in fines for his charges.
"This is a good example how the contribution of many can work together for the conviction of a wildlife crime," said Big Piney game warden, Adam Hymas. "And it all started with a concerned citizen acting on something they saw that wasn’t right." Hymas also commended the work of Judge Curt Haws, Sublette County Attorney Allegra Davis, and the other law enforcement agencies for their continued dedication to the wildlife resource.
To report information on a possible poaching incident, call the Pinedale Game and Fish office at 1-800-452-9107 or the STOP POACHING hotline at 1-877-WGFD-TIP (1-877-943-3847) or your local 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 the arrest and conviction may result in a reward of up to $5,000.00.
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