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CO: Two men cited for illegally hunting elk in SnowmassJanuary 14, 2010 Two men cited for illegally hunting elk in Snowmass Animals allegedly killed on public open space Glenwood Springs, CO, Two local men are facing multiple charges for allegedly hunting and killing three elk on public open space on the outskirts of Snowmass Village. Both the Colorado Division of Wildlife and a Pitkin County Open Space and Trails ranger have issued citations to the men — Angus “Herman” Anderson Jr. of Snowmass Village and Dana Knight of Aspen. The alleged incident occurred Sunday, apparently on land owned and held in conservation by the town of Snowmass Village, said John Armstrong, open space ranger for the county. He said he cited both men for driving on county open space, which is not permitted, and illegal hunting. The latter charge carries a $1,000 fine; there is a $100 fine for driving on open space. “We take it very seriously,” Armstrong said. Anderson has been cited by the DOW with two counts of the unlawful taking of an elk, one count of hunting without a valid and proper license, and one count of hunting in a closed area, said division spokesman Randy Hampton. The potential fine for all four counts is $5,728.50, plus 60 license suspension points. Charges resulting in 20 or more points lead to an automatic hearing before the division of wildlife and can result in suspension of hunting and fishing privileges from one year to life, Hampton said. The DOW has cited Knight with one count of the illegal taking of an elk, one count of illegal possession of an elk and one count of hunting in a closed area, according to Hampton. The potential fines total $4,235.50, plus 45 points. The men may either pay the fines or appear in Pitkin County District Court on March 16, Hampton said. According to Armstrong, the men apparently drove onto a county open space parcel north of Brush Creek Road and, from the county's land, accessed the Snowmass open space. The county parcel is gated, but wasn't locked. A “no hunting” sign is posted next to the gate, he said. A cow elk and two calves were allegedly shot, Armstrong said. The men both held private land cow licenses, which are valid for one animal per license, taken on private land with the owner's permission, Hampton said. According to Armstrong, Anderson said he had permission to hunt, but then cited a landowner who hasn't owned the property in more than a decade. The county open space was purchased in the mid-1990s, he said. The men wound up shooting three animals after firing at a group of elk and wounding one without realizing it, Armstrong said. After shooting two other elk, they discovered they'd wounded the first animal and killed it to put it out of its misery, he said. Return to Hunting Accident Index
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