November 2, 2011
LittleChicagoReview.com
CHEYENNE – A repeat offender of Wyoming trapping laws has had his
hunting and trapping privileges suspended for 15 years for violation of
Wyoming trapping laws.
Robert Mclean of Saratoga was charged with 12 trapping violations
from 2003-2007, and in 2007 was convicted of trapping on private land
without permission and received fines and a three year suspension of
trapping privileges. In February 2010, then Elk Mountain Game Warden
Jordan Kraft received a report of bobcat traps set illegally on private
land. Further investigation by Kraft revealed the traps did not contain
identification and one trap had been set within 30 feet of a bait of
more than five pounds in weight. Setting a trap or snare within 30 feet
of any exposed bait or carcass of more than five pounds is prohibited in
Wyoming. Kraft recognized the very specific trapping style used in the
bobcat trap sets from his investigation of Mclean’s illegal traps in
2007. After execution of search warrants and the evidence gathered,
McLean was convicted of violations that took place during the 2009-2010
trapping season. These included trapping while under license suspension,
accessory to fail to tag traps and/or snares, and two counts as an
accessory to trapping on private land without permission.
Carbon County Circuit Court Judge Jane Eakin levied a $1,550 fine,
540 days of jail time, and a 15-year revocation of hunting and trapping
privileges.
During the 15-year revocation period, McLean is prohibited from taking
any wildlife, being in the field with a firearm, or associating with
anyone in the field with a firearm.
He was also ordered to forfeit three mink pelts. The jail time and
$1,110 of the fine was suspended and Mclean was also placed on two years
probation.
Kraft states that Judge Eakin’s sentence sends a clear message that
repeated offense of wildlife laws will not be taken lightly.
Kraft said the prosecution of the case was made possible thanks to
involvement and cooperation of numerous game wardens and wildlife
investigators, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, Carbon County
Sheriff’s Department, Saratoga Police Department, and the Carbon County
Attorney’s Office.
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