CO: Hunter Ordered To Pay $9K In Poaching Case

Hunter Ordered To Pay $9K In Poaching Case

Floyd Gutierrez Pleads No Contest To Willful Destruction Of Wildlife

May 5, 2011

CRAIG, Colo. -- A hunter who wildlife officials said harvested trophy parts of three mule deer bucks and two pronghorn bucks while abandoning much of the meat has been fined $4,000.

Floyd Gutierrez, 63, was also ordered to make a $5,000 donation to Operation Game Thief, the nonprofit organization that pays rewards to help solve poaching cases in Colorado. Gutierrez pleaded no contest to willful destruction of wildlife.

"Shooting an animal and only taking the trophy parts is a very serious crime that is essentially stealing from all of the people of Colorado," said Craig District Wildlife Manager Mike Swaro, who led the investigation. "Like this one, many of the cases we investigate come to us through tips from members of the public who are concerned about poaching."

The case was investigated after a wildlife official received a tip in November 2008. During a search of Gutierrez's home and shop, investigators found hides, animal parts, antler racks, buckets filled with animal tissue, and meat stored in a freezer. DNA tests identified multiple animals and trophy parts but minimal meat harvested from those kills. Gutierrez could lose his hunting privileges permanently pending a review by a Division of Wildlife hearing examiner.

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