Associated Press
HUTCHINSON, Kan. - Authorities arrested two faculty members
from the University of Iowa after a bullet passed through an elk and
struck the guide of a bungled hunting trip.
Marlin Keith McQueen was taken to Hutchinson Hospital
on Wednesday after the bullet hit him in the shoulder and then entered
his torso. McQueen's condition was not released.
Court records show Paul K. Schroeder, 53, of Iowa City,
Iowa, and Steven R. Volgamott, 43, of Coralville, Iowa, had paid McQueen
to help them hunt farm-raised elk. The animals had been transported
to private property for the two men to hunt in apparent violation of
state law banning the release of elk within the state.
The restriction is in place to prevent the spread of chronic
wasting disease, which attacks the brains of elk and deer, causing them
to become emaciated and die.
Department of Wildlife and Parks officials who were investigating
the accident arrested Schroeder and Volgamott on suspicion of hunting
big game without a valid permit, hunting with a center fire rifle during
muzzleloading season, hunting big game without a valid license, hunting
big game without wearing hunter orange and illegal use of radio for
pursuing big game.
Schroeder and Volgamott, who were released after individually
posting a $2,000 surety bond, told the officers that McQueen had told
them they did not need to obtain hunting licenses or permits for the
hunt.
But anyone who hunts big game is required to buy a permit
for the animal being hunted, said Val Jansen, regional law enforcement
supervisor for the Department of Wildlife and Parks.
Though releasing elk within the state is illegal, Jansen
said once they are released, all hunting regulations pertaining to big
game apply.
Jansen said one of the elk was killed by the hunters and
the Department of Wildlife has been ordered to kill the others.
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