
33-year-old Steven Samuelson of Oakley, Kansas, pleaded guilty this month to the poaching of a moose in Teller County, Colorado, back in 2021. According to a press release, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) responded to reports that a moose was likely shot illegally north of Divide back in September 2021.
CPW concluded that someone had shot the moose with a bow and arrow, attempted to behead the animal, and then tried to hide the carcass behind a tree with branches and sticks. CPW Officers Aaron Berscheid, Travis Sauder and Ben Meier collected photos and videos from the reporting party, along with other evidence, that included images of the poacher and allowed them to pinpoint the exact time of the incident.
“This moose was treated unethically and that is something we take very seriously. We are fortunate members of the public share our passion for wildlife and helped us catch the poacher. We rely on honest sportspeople to help us solve these types of cases.” – Travis Sauder
Working with members of the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, Sauder and Meier confronted Samuelson at work and executed a search warrant to search his home. Samuelson pleaded guilty in Teller County District Court to the following charges:
- Willful destruction of wildlife, felony
- Hunting without a proper and valid big game license, misdemeanor
- Aggravated illegal possession of wildlife, misdemeanor
- Failure to prepare wildlife for human consumption, misdemeanor
- Hunting in a careless manner, misdemeanor
- Illegal take of wildlife, misdemeanor
Samuelson was fined $20,000, was forced to surrender his bow and other property that contained evidence relating to the crime, and received 65 point on his hunting license (just 20 is required for suspension of hunting privileges). Additionally, the poacher will be required to serve two years of unsupervised probation and, if he fails to meet the terms of the plea agreement, will serve out two years in jail.
“As the agency responsible for perpetuating the wildlife resources of the state, Colorado Parks and Wildlife will not tolerate poaching. Our officers are determined to stop people like Mr. Samuelson who think they can simply go kill any animal they like. I want to make it clear: Mr. Samuelson was not a hunter. He is a poacher.” – Area Wildlife Manager for the Pikes Peak region Tim Kroening
Related: B.C. Man Fired After Rescuing A Moose Calf Off The Side Of The Highway
Image Credit: CPW SE Region via Twitter