Article published January 30, 2004
By Scott Condon
Aspen Times Staff Writer
Game wardens have cited a Carbondale man for hunting
violations and continue to investigate him for the slaughter of four deer
outside of town earlier this winter.
Charles E. Goure, 37, was ticketed by the Colorado
Division of Wildlife for carrying a loaded weapon and hunting with an
artificial light, according to court documents. He was advised of the
charges and potential penalties Tuesday in Pitkin County Court.
Authorities have also examined Goure’s four guns in
connection with a December deer poaching incident, confirmed Carbondale
district wildlife officer Justin Martens.
One doe and three bucks were killed on private property
outside of Carbondale last month, prompting the wildlife division to offer
an award for information that leads to a conviction in the poaching
incident. Wildlife officers questioned a man in connection to the incident
before the award was offered.
No meat was taken from the deer. The antlers of a trophy
buck were also left behind, according to wildlife officers.
Martens said bullets taken from the deer carcasses are
being examined by the Colorado Bureau of Investigation. They will be
compared to Goure’s guns for a match.
Martens declined to discuss what information the wildlife
division had to support the citations issued to Goure or further details of
the poaching investigation.
He said Goure has had valid deer hunting licenses in the
past. Goure didn’t have a small-game license or a permit to hunt at night,
according to Martens.
The citations issued to Goure are “relatively minor,” according to Martens.
Carrying a loaded weapon in a vehicle can be punishable by
a $68 fine and 15 points off a hunting license. Hunting with an artificial
light carries a possible fine of $200 with a surcharge of $74 and 20 points
off a license.
Conviction of those charges could result in a license
being suspended or taken away for life. There are stiffer charges and
penalties in poaching cases.
Pitkin County Deputy District Attorney Gail Nichols
wouldn’t comment on whether additional charges may be filed against Goure.
She said she “expressed a concern” in court that Goure should talk to the
public defender about the charges against him. Public defender Jim Conway
couldn’t be reached Thursday for comment on whether he will represent Goure.
[Scott Condon’s e-mail address is scondon@aspentimes.com
]
