Jason Duggan Gets $7K Fine For Poaching Deer
POSTED: 1:20 pm MDT June 2, 2005
A Montrose man convicted of illegally poaching deer will have to pay
nearly $7,000 in fines and could be barred from hunting and fishing in
Colorado and 19 other states for the rest of his life, under a sentence
handed down this week.
Jason R. Duggan, 19, reached a plea agreement in May that required
him to forfeit the hunting rifle he used to kill the deer, and could
face a year in jail if he does not pay the fine.
The investigation began in April 2004 when wildlife officers received
a tip from the Montrose County Sheriff's Office and found the remains of
a bobcat, mink and numerous deer racks.
One of them had a brass plate that bore the inscription "J.D. 2004."
Investigators asked Duggan to come in for an interview but said he
failed to show up. They were unable to find him until October 2004, when
they received a report of rotting ducks in an abandoned vehicle near the
Montrose County Justice Center. A check of the license plate showed that
it was registered to Duggan and he was found in the county jail, serving
a sentence for non-wildlife-related charges.
Officers said that when interviewed in jail, Duggan admitted that he
killed an eight-point buck deer within the past two years and also
admitted to small game violations, including the use of leghold traps.
Duggan was cited for killing eight deer, waste of nine ducks and
several small-game and license violations. He agreed to plead guilty to
killing three deer in return for the rest of the charges being dropped.
Duggan also faces a special hearing with the Division of Wildlife to
determine how long his hunting and fishing privileges will be suspended.
There is a strong possibility that he will never hunt or fish in
Colorado again, officials said. In addition, any suspension would
automatically be applied in the 19 other states that participate in a
special wildlife-crimes compact with Colorado.
People who have information about wildlife poaching are asked to call
Operation Game Thief at (877) 265-6648. Tips can be given anonymously
and rewards are offered.
